25/10/2025
Hase-dera Temple
長谷寺
Hase-dera Temple is one of the most beautiful temples, not just in Nara, but in the greater Kansai region. Founded in 686 as a dedication to Emperor Tenmu, who was then suffering from an illness, the temple nestles in a picturesque valley and boasts over 30 structures. The expansive grounds are adorned with a variety of seasonal flowers, attracting pilgrims and photographers eager to capture the temple’s stunning vistas.
Also known as the “Flower Temple,” its grounds are a year-round spectacle of blooms that delight many pilgrims. The temple’s floral highlights include cherry blossoms from late March to early April and Chinese peonies in late May. As summer approaches, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and azaleas come into bloom, followed by oleander and crape myrtle in the heat of summer. Autumn brings a vibrant display of reds, oranges, and yellows, which eventually give way to winter peonies and plum blossoms, heralding the arrival of spring.
