AMAZINGgrace
What To Do In The Rainy Month of June?
by Mae Grace In Japan, June is interestingly symbolized by snails, umbrellas and hydrangeas. June is, after all, the start of the summer season in Japan ushered in by rains and thunderstorms and although many people might find that an anticlimactic end to the beautiful, refreshing and colorful climate in spring, the rains in June do bring with them immeasurable benefits and blessings. One of the many reasons to enjoy ‘tsuyu’ or the rainy season in June is --- the hydrangeas! Hydrangeas, called ‘ajisai’ in Japanese, grow abundantly and are one of the most popular flowers in Japan. They are found in countless temples and parks and arranged into magnificent displays in numerous festivals in the summer. It is one unique kind of flower adored by the Japanese.
24
In Japanese tradition and folk beliefs they represent beauty, grace and gratitude. Because of their lavishly shaped and brilliantly growing petals, they are believed to radiate abundance and their colors symbolize love, harmony and peace. There are many popular places where hydrangeas
could be found here in Tokyo and from nearby locations as well, and one of them is in Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture where three temples there compete for the best in hydrangea viewing, the Meigetsu-in, the
Hase and Jochiji Temple. Another way to enjoy hydrangeas is to take a ride on Enoden Line or other ‘Hydrangea Trains’ and grab a seat facing the window side, as these are special trains designed for one to enjoy the spectacular view of thousands of hydrangeas lining both sides of the rail tracks all the way to Hakone. Ang gandaaaa! Promise! Heto pa, maraming famous spots for hydrangea viewing dito mismo sa Tokyo. Isa na dito ang Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo-ku, also, Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa, and the beautiful Sumida Park along Sumida River just somewhere near Asakusa. This park has a promenade called, “Ajisai Road” where more than 6,000 hydrangeas were planted along a two kilometer long path. One can enjoy viewing these impressive flowers with the famous Tokyo Sky Tree in the background. It’s a five-minute walk from Asakusa Station and the flowers are free to view and visit from mid to late June until July. Let’s go guys! Magdala na lang tayo ng payong! Also, somewhere in my little city of Fuchu (ayaw patalo, eh), is a city park and museum known as Kyodo No Mori Museum which has an impressive collection of 10,000 plus hydrangeas representing more than thirty varieties of this colorful beauties planted in patches and paths that look absolutely breathtaking. Take a walk along these paths for refreshing air, taking in the beauty of each unique flower interspersed here and there by some unique features of the park including their collection of outdoor architectural structures of old farm houses, workshops, a charming
MAY - JUNE 2021
