Visit Japan in early summer and you'll notice hydrangeas appearing almost everywhere.

But some of the most beautiful displays are found at temples.

The timing is part of the reason. Hydrangeas bloom during Japan's rainy season, when temple gardens are at their quietest. Rain deepens their colours, moss becomes a richer green, and the gardens take on a calm, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Many temples have planted hydrangeas for generations, and today some are known for thousands of flowering shrubs that attract visitors each June. Many Japanese people even refer to this time of year as the 'hydrangea season', in much the same way spring is associated with cherry blossom and autumn with maple leaves. Yet even at the busiest temples, there's something about hydrangeas that feels gentle rather than dramatic.

Perhaps it's because they reward the weather that many people would rather avoid.

While cherry blossom is celebrated beneath blue skies, hydrangeas are at their best in the rain. They remind us that every season has its own kind of beauty.

It's one of the many reasons early summer can be such a rewarding time to visit Japan.

Soak in the seasons.

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