Aside from having the longest suspension footbridge in Japan – about 400m – Mishima Skywalk in Shizuoka prefecture is also known for hosting one of the biggest hydrangea festivals near Tokyo, attracting visitors of all ages for the huge number of blue hydrangeas blooming in early summer.
This year, the Hydrangea Festival takes place from June 8 to July 15 and features about 13,000 hydrangeas across 205 varieties, including Natsuzora (Summer Sky), Skywalk and Hao, the venue’s three original hydrangea species.
There will be dedicated photo spots set up along the 2km promenade on the north side of the bridge. They offer lovely scenery with the hydrangeas, Suruga Bay and even Mt Fuji.
You can also see the hydrangeas lit up after dark on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5pm to 8.30pm (last entry 8pm).
Hydrangea-coloured desserts and drinks are available from Mishima Skywalk's cafés and restaurants during the festival. Picnic Café is serving an ice cream sundae float with apple-and-grape-flavoured carbonated jelly, Skywalk Coffee has a grape soda topped with cotton candy, and at Skywalk Softcream you can try some churros dipped in hydrangea-coloured chocolate.
There's also a hydrangea-themed butter sandwich cookie featuring a vibrant blue-coloured, soymilk-based buttercream frosting. This dessert is available at the Sky Garden next to the parking area, so you won’t need an entry ticket to the suspension bridge area to enjoy this treat.
Admission is ¥1,100 for adults, ¥500 for junior high and high school students, and ¥200 for primary school students. The light-up event on Fridays through Sundays (June 21-23, June 28-30, July 5-7) is from 5pm to 8.30pm.
For more information, visit the website.
This article was originally published on June 3 2022 and updated on May 24 2024.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Godiva Japan is now selling decadent chocolate cakes in clear cans
4 outdoor food and drink events to check out in Tokyo this May 25-26 weekend
3 ways to visit the new Fantasy Springs attraction in Tokyo DisneySea
Sakura in Chiba is hosting its grand fireworks show again in summer
The 75-minute fireworks at Lake Kawaguchiko is back this year
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.