Flower of the Rainy Season: Ajisai 紫陽花 or Hydrangea June 27, 2015 Moving to Japan has not only increased my interest in fashion, but has also introduced me to a whole new world of flowers. There is a flower for every season and one of my favorites is Hydrangea or Ajisai. Ajisai is the flower that blooms in the rainy season, between mid June to mid July. Depending on the acidity of soil, the flower ranges from white, pink, purple and blue in color and as the rain falls, their color deepens and sometimes the flower even changes from pink to purple. They fade or intensify depending on the rainfall. Types: Hydrangea grow in a cluster of small flowers forming two types of blossoms, round pom pom type or the flat heads with small blooms in the center and larger flowers around the perimeter. Best places to see Ajisai in Japan are: Gongoro Jinja and Hasadera Temple in Kamakura Meigetsuin in Kanagawa Mimurotoji Temple in Kyoto Visiting the Ajisai Park in Miyazaki, is one my priorities on my to do list / must places to visit. But I would also recommend Nagai Park in Osaka, which is just 20 minutes from Namba on the Midosuji Line in Osaka. The botanical garden there houses a really diverse number of flora and fauna. The park has a well laid out section to showcase their collection of the Hydrangea flower, which I must say is very beautiful and hopefully I will be able to visit the park again before these flowers bid adieu for 2015. VIvalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet VIvalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Found some Japanese Iris in Nagai Park too! Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Vivalahighstreet Top – Forever 21, $18, 2015; Pants – Stradivarius, $40, 2015; Bag – Givenchy, gift, 2014; Sunglasses – GU, $7, 2015, also worn here; Shoes – Zara, $40, 2013; Watch – Tag Heuer, gift, 2009, also worn here; Cuff – The Stone Market, $16, 2011, also worn here;