The magic of hydrangeas

At the Makino Botanical Garden in Kochi City, you can enjoy over 80 varieties of hydrangeas. We may have passed peak bloom at the end of last month, but since hydrangeas are symbols of the ongoing rainy season, that means we still have an excuse to keep talking about these magical flowers

Fun fact! Did you know that hydrangeas can change color depending on soil acidity? Pink hydrangeas grow in alkaline soil, and you can actually turn them blue if you make the soil more acidic (for example, by adding lemon juice or vinegar)

Another fun fact! Did you know that blue is one of the rarest colors in nature? Although the blue sky and ocean might make you think it’s the most common color, you might be surprised by how few examples of animals and flowers come to mind. Without getting too scientific, it’s because there is no naturally-occurring blue compound (like chlorophyll that makes leaves green or carotene that makes carrots orange). So the next time you see a blue hydrangea, you'll know it's extra special

The Makino Botanical Garden is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the wonder and magic of nature. Home to over 3,000 plant species, there is something beautiful blooming any time of the year

Admission is 730 yen per adult
You can take the MY-YU sightseeing bus from Kochi Station, which is a quick 30-minute ride to the Makino Botanical Garden

Learn more about the Makino Botanical Garden: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10019