Kazahaya no Sato, Tsu

Kazahaya no Sato is a therapeutic flower garden located in Tokicho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, spanning an impressive 78,000 square meters on the grounds of the former Ise Onsen Golf Club. This unique attraction holds the distinction of being Japan's first facility to introduce "horticultural welfare," where facility staff work together with people with disabilities to manage the seasonal flowers. The garden's undulating hillside landscape, once a golf course, now serves as a living testament to the healing power of nature and community collaboration.

The garden showcases three spectacular seasonal displays that have made it one of Mie Prefecture's most photographed destinations. From February to March, 555 plum trees create delicate pink and white canopies across the hillsides. In mid-April, 900 wisteria flowers of 10 varieties bloom in purple curtains that have become particularly popular among international visitors. The garden's crown jewel arrives in June when 77,000 hydrangea bushes transform the 33,000 square meter hillside into a breathtaking sea of blue, purple, pink, and white blooms that has garnered significant social media attention worldwide.

Visitors can explore winding pathways that meander through the seasonal displays, offering constantly changing perspectives of the colorful landscape. The garden features peaceful ponds, observation areas, and rest spots where guests can fully appreciate the therapeutic environment. The facility operates flower festivals from early spring to autumn, with each season bringing its own unique character and photographic opportunities. The on-site Kazahaya Chaya tea house provides refreshments during peak blooming periods.

Admission fees vary by season and age: adults over 18 pay 300 yen during flowering seasons and from 100 yen during other periods, while visitors under 18 enter free of charge. Children under 13, visitors with disability certificates, and pets are always admitted free. Parking accommodates 200 cars and 10 large buses.

From Kintetsu Hisai Station, the garden is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the Heki Jinjamae bus stop. The location in Mie Prefecture places it about 40 minutes from Ise Jingu Shrine by train and taxi, or 45 minutes by car, making it an accessible addition to any Mie Prefecture itinerary.