Kokuei Sanuki Manno Park in Manno-cho, Kagawa Prefecture, is hosting its "Ajisai Matsuri" (Hydrangea Festival) from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, July 5, 2026. Over this 30-day period timed to the peak bloom of around 20,000 hydrangeas in 40 varieties, the park will offer a variety of seasonal events to brighten up a rainy season outing.
Ajisai Matsuri (Park Official Website)
Shikoku's Largest Hydrangea Display: 40 Varieties, 20,000 Plants
The park's dedicated "Ajisai-en" (hydrangea garden) is home to a wide selection of hydrangeas, including Yama-Ajisai (mountain hydrangea), Gaku-Ajisai (lacecap hydrangea), and Seiyou-Ajisai (bigleaf hydrangea), each with its own distinct color and form. The terraced flower beds take advantage of the park's varied terrain and are designed to be barrier-free, with stairs and slopes that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.
Blooms are expected to begin in early June and reach their peak in mid-June.
Footage from last year's blooms is available on the park's Instagram reels:
Last Year's Blooms (Instagram Reel)
Last Year's Blooms, Part 2 (Instagram Reel — showcasing multiple varieties)
Stroll the Garden in Yukata — First-Ever Yukata Rental & Dressing Event
For the first time at the Ajisai Matsuri, visitors can rent a yukata and have it fitted by a professional dresser. Strolling the hydrangea-filled grounds in traditional summer attire makes for a uniquely memorable experience. Japanese parasols (wagasa) and hydrangea-patterned umbrellas will also be available for rent, continuing from last year.
A Rich Variety of Colors and Forms to Discover
With approximately 40 varieties — the largest collection in Shikoku — visitors will find an impressive range of hydrangea colors and flower shapes. From the classic rounded "temari" (ball-shaped) blooms and showy double-flowered cultivars to the more naturalistic lacecap varieties, the diversity is striking. Walking through the garden and comparing each cultivar up close is one of the highlights of the visit.
About Hydrangeas
Ajisai (hydrangea) is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, belonging to the family Hydrangeaceae. The colorful, petal-like parts are actually modified sepals called "decorative florets" (sōshokuka), which serve to attract insects toward the smaller true flowers at the center.
Written in kanji as "紫陽花," the plant is also known by two traditional nicknames: "Yohira" (四葩 — "four petals," referring to the four sepals) and "Shichihenge" (七変化 — "seven transformations"), a reference to the way soil acidity changes the flower's color.
Hydrangeas, Fresh Greenery, and Hiryu Pond
The Ajisai-en is located beside Hiryu Pond (Hiryu-ike), a reservoir, creating a beautiful scene where hydrangeas blend with water reflections and fresh early-summer foliage. The garden's varied elevation means the view changes depending on where you stand — looking down from the top offers a completely different perspective from looking up from below.
Seasonal Events During the Festival
A selection of rainy season-themed events will run throughout the festival period.
Yukata Rental & Dressing
Professional dressers will help visitors into a yukata for a relaxed stroll through the hydrangea garden. Japanese parasols are also available to borrow.
- Dates: June 6 (Sat) and June 7 (Sun)
- Time: 10:00 AM–3:30 PM (approx. 2 hours per session)
- Venue: Chikufuan (Tea Room)
- Fee: ¥5,500 (yukata rental + dressing); hair styling available from an additional ¥1,000
- Registration: Walk-in on the day
- Rain Policy: Event held rain or shine
Umbrella Rental
Japanese parasols (on sunny days only) and hydrangea-patterned umbrellas are available on loan at the park's information center — perfect for photos as well as for keeping dry.
- Dates: June 6 (Sat) to July 5 (Sun)
- Hours: During park opening hours
- Location: Information Center
- Rain Policy: Japanese parasols not available on rainy days
- Note: Umbrella types and quantities are limited.
Make Your Own Hydrangea Parasol
Decorate a clear umbrella with your own designs to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
- Dates: June 27 (Sat) and June 28 (Sun)
- Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
- Venue: Ajisai-en Gazebo
- Fee: ¥500
- Capacity: 50 participants per day (walk-in)
- Rain Policy: Cancelled in rain
Nodate (Outdoor Tea Ceremony) in the Hydrangea Garden
Enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets in the open air, surrounded by hydrangeas, in the traditional nodate (outdoor tea ceremony) style.
- Dates: June 13 (Sat), June 14 (Sun), June 20 (Sat), and June 21 (Sun)
- Time: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Venue: Ajisai-en Gazebo
- Fee: Adults ¥400; Children (junior high school and under) ¥300
- Capacity: 100 participants per day (walk-in)
Rental Cycle 1-Day Passport
During the festival period, an unlimited all-day bicycle pass is available, making it easy to get around the park — including to and from the Ajisai-en.
- Available: June 6 (Sat) to July 5 (Sun), excluding Tuesdays (park closed)
- Fee: Adults ¥600; Children ¥250
- Sales Hours: 9:30 AM–2:30 PM (standard rental tickets sold after 2:30 PM)
- Note: Electric-assist bicycles and tandem bicycles are not included.
Visitor Information
Kokuei Sanuki Manno Park is Shikoku's only national government-managed park, spanning 350 hectares. It is located on a hillside overlooking Manno Pond — one of Japan's largest agricultural reservoirs — and opened fully in April 2013.
Address: 4243-12 Yoshino, Manno-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture 766-0023
Opening Hours (March 1 – July 19): 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
For opening hours outside this period, check the official website.
Closed: Every Tuesday (June 1 – July 19); see the official website for full details.
Getting There by Car:
- From Hiroshima/Okayama: Seto-Chuo Expressway, approx. 35 min from Sakaide IC
- From Ehime/Kochi: Takamatsu Expressway, approx. 25 min from Zentsuji IC
- From Tokushima: Tokushima Expressway, approx. 40 min from Mima IC
Getting There by Train:
- JR: Approx. 15 min by taxi from JR Kotohira Station
- Kotoden: Approx. 15 min by taxi from Kotoden Kotohira or Okada Station
Official Website: https://sanukimannopark.jp/
