Kyoto Yanagidani Kannon: Early Summer Tradition 'Ajisai Week 2026' with Special Limited-Time Exhibition
Yanagidani Kannon Yōkoku-ji Temple in Kyoto will hold 'Ajisai Week 2026' from June 1, 2026. This year, in addition to popular attractions like the 'Umbrella Sky' and 'Flower Stairs,' there will be a special exhibition of Kamishoin, a filming location for the movie 'Koku-ro-jo' (released June 19), and a special display related to this year's historical drama 'Toyotomi Brothers!', offering diverse charms to transport visitors to a beautiful world detached from daily life.
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Yanagidani Kannon Yōkoku-ji Temple, nestled in the mountains of Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, will hold 'Ajisai Week' from June 1, 2026. This year, in addition to the immensely popular 'Umbrella Sky' and the 'Flower Stairs' that are a hot topic on social media, there will be a special exhibition of Kamishoin, a filming location for the movie 'Koku-ro-jo' (released on June 19), and a special display related to this year's historical drama 'Toyotomi Brothers!'. These diverse attractions, more extensive than in previous years, will invite visitors into a beautiful world, detached from their daily routines.
■ A Sacred Site for Eye Disease Healing with 1200 Years of History, and a Colorful Temple Ground Adorned as the Birthplace of Hanachozu (Flower Purification Basins)
Within the temple grounds, the sacred 'Dokko-sui' (purification water) associated with Kūkai, known for healing eye diseases, springs forth. It has been venerated by people suffering from eye ailments since ancient times and deeply revered by the Imperial Family until the Meiji era. In seven locations within these historic grounds, visitors can enjoy vibrant and colorful Hanachozu to their heart's content.
■ Away from the City's Hustle and Bustle, 'The Luxury of Silence' Cherishing Even Rainy Weather
Yōkoku-ji Temple is located in a place with clean air, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The 'peaceful time' obtainable only in this location is the ultimate luxury in modern times, making it a worthwhile destination to go out of your way to visit. Furthermore, the temple grounds are connected by corridors from the main hall to the Oku-no-in, allowing visitors to appreciate the hydrangeas without getting wet even on rainy days (excluding some areas like Ganriki Inari). The 'rain-cherishing corridor structure', a unique charm of this temple, allows visitors to most comfortably enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas, which become even more vibrant when wet with raindrops.
▲ The popular Dragon Hand-washing Basin, which immediately delights visitors upon entering the main gate.
▲ Various creative Hanachozu at the birthplace of Hanachozu (photo from January) ▲ 'Marume' Hanachozu dedicated to the blessings for eyes.
■ 2026 Highlights: A Special Week Where History and Sensitivity Intersect
1. [Annual Tradition] 'Umbrella Sky' & 'Flower Stairs' at Ganriki Inari
This year, the 'Umbrella Sky', symbolizing early summer at Yōkoku-ji Temple, will be held again, with umbrellas spreading across the sky. The colorful umbrellas decorating the sky with hydrangea motifs and the 'Flower Stairs' leading to Ganriki Inari, adorned with various hydrangeas, will envelop the temple grounds in overwhelming color.
The 'Ajisai Umbrellas' from Felissimo, used in the Umbrella Sky, are also available for purchase.
They are so popular that they sell out every year, so if you want one, get it early!
▲ Umbrella Sky ▲ The Flower Stairs in front of Ganriki Inari are so popular that a queue forms for photos every year.
▲ Umbrellas are from Felissimo.
2. [Participatory Project] SNS Photo Contest Held
■ The 'Moment' You Find Becomes a Treasure. Official Photo Contest Grandly Held
Every year, many beautiful photos are posted on social media during 'Ajisai Week'. This year, an official photo contest will be grandly implemented as an official event.
This project is an attempt for each visitor to share and disseminate the new charms of this temple, captured through their viewfinder. The application period is from June 1 to June 30. Anyone can participate by simply posting on Instagram with the specified hashtag '#柳谷観音あじさいウィーク'.
The winning entries will receive prizes, including the grand prize 'Ritsugan-sho (1st place)', 'Bishin-sho (2nd place)', and 'Ganriki-sho (3rd place)'. Those selected for outstanding works will be presented with special temple-specific授予品 (sacred items) and other prizes.
The judging results are scheduled to be announced on the official website and Instagram Live from mid-July to late July. We await your exquisite photos that shine with your sensitivity.
3. Special Exhibition of 'Kamishoin' Overlooking the Scenic Garden. Showcasing the Magnificent Fresh Greenery as a Filming Location for the Movie 'Koku-ro-jo'
▲ Kamishoin amidst fresh greenery (Photo by Daiki Inada)
The 'Kamishoin', a VIP room usually open only on the 17th of each month on a special縁日 (fated day), will be specially opened during Ajisai Week. You can overlook the scenic garden (Jodo-en), selected as one of the 'Hundred Gardens of Ancient Capitals' by garden designer Mirei Shigemori, from above. The 'painting-like fresh greenery' unique to this season offers overwhelming beauty to visitors.
Its tranquility and beauty have also captivated numerous filmmakers, serving as a filming location for the movie 'The Emperor in August' (2015) and also for the movie 'Koku-ro-jo', which will be released on Friday, June 19th this year.
On Wednesday, June 19th, the opening day of the movie, a solemn 'Hit Kigan' (prayer for success) will be held to pray for the movie's success, and its様子 (appearance/state) will be live-streamed on the official Instagram.
We also offer special plans to experience even deeper tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. Please check the official website for details.
For viewing Kamishoin, an additional 1000 yen is required at the reception when paying the regular admission fee.
■ Kamishoin Limited! Overlapping Stamp Art Experience
Visitors to Kamishoin can receive a postcard-sized base paper at the reception and participate in a stamp rally with overlapping stamps. Stamp
■ A Sacred Site for Eye Disease Healing with 1200 Years of History, and a Colorful Temple Ground Adorned as the Birthplace of Hanachozu (Flower Purification Basins)
Within the temple grounds, the sacred 'Dokko-sui' (purification water) associated with Kūkai, known for healing eye diseases, springs forth. It has been venerated by people suffering from eye ailments since ancient times and deeply revered by the Imperial Family until the Meiji era. In seven locations within these historic grounds, visitors can enjoy vibrant and colorful Hanachozu to their heart's content.
■ Away from the City's Hustle and Bustle, 'The Luxury of Silence' Cherishing Even Rainy Weather
Yōkoku-ji Temple is located in a place with clean air, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The 'peaceful time' obtainable only in this location is the ultimate luxury in modern times, making it a worthwhile destination to go out of your way to visit. Furthermore, the temple grounds are connected by corridors from the main hall to the Oku-no-in, allowing visitors to appreciate the hydrangeas without getting wet even on rainy days (excluding some areas like Ganriki Inari). The 'rain-cherishing corridor structure', a unique charm of this temple, allows visitors to most comfortably enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas, which become even more vibrant when wet with raindrops.
▲ The popular Dragon Hand-washing Basin, which immediately delights visitors upon entering the main gate.
▲ Various creative Hanachozu at the birthplace of Hanachozu (photo from January) ▲ 'Marume' Hanachozu dedicated to the blessings for eyes.
■ 2026 Highlights: A Special Week Where History and Sensitivity Intersect
1. [Annual Tradition] 'Umbrella Sky' & 'Flower Stairs' at Ganriki Inari
This year, the 'Umbrella Sky', symbolizing early summer at Yōkoku-ji Temple, will be held again, with umbrellas spreading across the sky. The colorful umbrellas decorating the sky with hydrangea motifs and the 'Flower Stairs' leading to Ganriki Inari, adorned with various hydrangeas, will envelop the temple grounds in overwhelming color.
The 'Ajisai Umbrellas' from Felissimo, used in the Umbrella Sky, are also available for purchase.
They are so popular that they sell out every year, so if you want one, get it early!
▲ Umbrella Sky ▲ The Flower Stairs in front of Ganriki Inari are so popular that a queue forms for photos every year.
▲ Umbrellas are from Felissimo.
2. [Participatory Project] SNS Photo Contest Held
■ The 'Moment' You Find Becomes a Treasure. Official Photo Contest Grandly Held
Every year, many beautiful photos are posted on social media during 'Ajisai Week'. This year, an official photo contest will be grandly implemented as an official event.
This project is an attempt for each visitor to share and disseminate the new charms of this temple, captured through their viewfinder. The application period is from June 1 to June 30. Anyone can participate by simply posting on Instagram with the specified hashtag '#柳谷観音あじさいウィーク'.
The winning entries will receive prizes, including the grand prize 'Ritsugan-sho (1st place)', 'Bishin-sho (2nd place)', and 'Ganriki-sho (3rd place)'. Those selected for outstanding works will be presented with special temple-specific授予品 (sacred items) and other prizes.
The judging results are scheduled to be announced on the official website and Instagram Live from mid-July to late July. We await your exquisite photos that shine with your sensitivity.
3. Special Exhibition of 'Kamishoin' Overlooking the Scenic Garden. Showcasing the Magnificent Fresh Greenery as a Filming Location for the Movie 'Koku-ro-jo'
▲ Kamishoin amidst fresh greenery (Photo by Daiki Inada)
The 'Kamishoin', a VIP room usually open only on the 17th of each month on a special縁日 (fated day), will be specially opened during Ajisai Week. You can overlook the scenic garden (Jodo-en), selected as one of the 'Hundred Gardens of Ancient Capitals' by garden designer Mirei Shigemori, from above. The 'painting-like fresh greenery' unique to this season offers overwhelming beauty to visitors.
Its tranquility and beauty have also captivated numerous filmmakers, serving as a filming location for the movie 'The Emperor in August' (2015) and also for the movie 'Koku-ro-jo', which will be released on Friday, June 19th this year.
On Wednesday, June 19th, the opening day of the movie, a solemn 'Hit Kigan' (prayer for success) will be held to pray for the movie's success, and its様子 (appearance/state) will be live-streamed on the official Instagram.
We also offer special plans to experience even deeper tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. Please check the official website for details.
For viewing Kamishoin, an additional 1000 yen is required at the reception when paying the regular admission fee.
■ Kamishoin Limited! Overlapping Stamp Art Experience
Visitors to Kamishoin can receive a postcard-sized base paper at the reception and participate in a stamp rally with overlapping stamps. Stamp