Hot for Hydrangeas in Tokyo 2025
The moment you step outside, it hits you: a wall of wet heat that feels less like air and more like a hot, damp blanket. That’s summer in Tokyo. For months, the city suffocates under a humid haze, and the only relief is the blast of a nearby air conditioner. But even in this brutal season, there are points of grace. One of them is the bursting colors of the hydrangeas.
Tokyo has several good gardens for these flowers. For this 2025 article, I went to Hakusan Shrine. From my house, it was a one-hour crowded train ride. At least I had air conditioning for the trip.
But I knew I was heading into trouble before I got on the train. My apartment was hot and humid when I woke up. The TV weather forecast said the day’s high would be 34°C. And this was in June!
I opened the door to leave and looked outside. The sky was a vast ocean of blue, devoid of clouds. Tokyo would have another scorching hot day. Nothing could be done. I headed to Hakusan Shrine.
My day with Hakusan Shrine’s hydrangeas
Hakusan Shrine has a Hydrangea Festival, which ended the day before my visit. The staff decorate the building with extra planters filled with the flowers. The komainu (guardian lion-dog statues) get a few too. Color is everywhere!
Well, the TV forecast was spot on. Sweat was soon pouring down my back. The sun had some sting in it. I was glad I had a hat with me. Never mind, I was there for flower photography.
I was happy with my photos, but I made errors. My first one was arriving at 8:30 a.m. The sun was already high and harsh, creating washed-out colors and ugly shadows. Tip #1: Beat the sun. Early morning or late afternoon light is softer and more flattering. Next time, I’ll be there by 7 a.m. Yes, I’ve said that before!
The cloudless sky didn’t help, either. Tip #2: Pray for clouds. A bright, overcast day provides a giant, natural softbox. That makes the colors of the hydrangeas truly pop without any distracting shadows. I missed out on that ideal light.
Another error was photographing the hydrangeas after the festival had ended. As it was, the shrine looked a little empty. Still, I had fun. Here are a few ideas on how to help your flower photography
Photography tips for hydrangeas
- Use a wide aperture (small f-number, like f/2.8 or f/5.6) to create a shallow depth of field. That blurs the background and makes the hydrangea pop.
- Cloudy days provide soft, diffused light which is best for capturing the flowers’ colors. I missed this one!
- Harsh midday sunlight can create washed-out colors and strong shadows. Early morning or late afternoon light is ideal.
- Focus on the individual blooms, capturing the petal’s details and how they cluster together.
- Capture the entire hydrangea bush. Show its size and shape relative to its surroundings.
- Edit photos with software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. That will give them more pop.
Conclusion
Was my 2025 trip to Hakusan Shrine a failure? Not at all. Despite the harsh light and the post-festival emptiness, I left with satisfactory photos. I learned a few lessons too. It was a reminder that even in Tokyo’s most brutal season, beauty is still there—as long as you’re willing to sweat for it. I’ll go back, but you can bet I’ll check the weather for clouds and set my alarm for 6 a.m.
Where are your favorite spots to photograph hydrangeas in Tokyo? Share your tips in the comments below!
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. There are no plans to stop.
More hydrangea articles
External related websites
- Hakusan Shrine (official website)