Hydrangeas and Touken Ranbu Photo Ops at Fujinomori Shrine, Kyoto

On my eighth day in Kyoto, after marveling at the impressive twin dragon mural at Kennin-ji Temple, I looked up nearby spots for hydrangea viewing and chose the closest one, Fujinomori Shrine. Just a 10-minute walk from Sumizome, two stops away from Fushimi, and there it was! Fujinomori Shrine seems to have quite a history, known for its large hydrangea garden and special equestrian festivals according to the introduction. However, recently the shrine has collaborated with Touken Ranbu for a Kyoto Sword Pilgrimage event, turning it into a pilgrimage site for anime fans and cosplayers, who flock here during the weekends when the flowers are in bloom to take photos! Visiting the shrine is free, but if you want to see the hydrangea garden, there's a fee of ¥500. It was a bit of a pity that the hydrangeas weren't fully blooming when I visited in early June. Otherwise, the garden is densely planted with a wide variety of colors and species, complete with little bridges and streams against a Japanese garden backdrop, which is quite beautiful. Watching the cosplayers take photos was also interesting. I can't help but think how hot it must be under the makeup and Touken Ranbu cosplay outfits in the summer heat! But they do complement the hydrangeas and Japanese garden scenery quite well.