Drive-in Hanazono Hydrangea Garden

5.0

This rest stop is located along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline at an altitude of 1040 meters. The rest stop features a garden planted with more than 3,500 hydrangeas and a photogenic background of coniferous trees and mountain ranges. The best time to view the hydrangeas is from mid-July to early August, which is later than in the lowlands. The rest stop has much to offer in terms of seasonal scenery including the one thousand rhododendrons that bloom in the spring and the red fall foliage. Fall visitors can also see one of the Top 100 Sunsets of Wakayama Prefecture. The rest stop's restaurant serves characteristic local dishes such as seasonal wild plants, amago-meshi (rice cooked with red-spotted masu trout), and matsutake mushroom dishes, a seasonal exclusive. The rest stop also sells local specialties such as Japanese umbrella-pine and yakiyogomi (toasted mugwort dumplings).

Spot details

Address: Wakayama Ito-gun Katsuragicho Hanazono Kuki 364-26 Map
Area: Mt. Koya / Ryujin Onsen / Kudoyama Area
Phone: 0737260888
Hours: 9:30-16:30
Closed: Winter (Dec.- Mar.)
Fees: [Hydrangea garden/Rhododendron garden (normal)] Free
[Hydrangea garden/Rhododendron garden (blooming season)] 200yen
Parking Lot: Available
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Not available
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Available (not allowed inside the store, allowed inside the park)