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 summer.
This year, the Hydrangea Festival takes place until July 14 and features about 13,000 hydrangeas across 205 varieties, including Natsuzora (Summer Sky), Skywalk and Hao, the venue’s three original hydrangea species.
Photo spots will be 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 Saturday and Sunday nights from 5pm to 8.30pm (last entry 8pm). If you want to get active and see the hydrangeas from above, this year’s event features Night Adventure, which includes zip lines and climbing nets. It takes place on July 1, 2, 8 and 9, with three start times each night at 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm.
Hydrangea-coloured desserts and drinks are available from Mishima Skywalk's cafés and restaurants during the festival. Picnic Café is serving an ice cream with kudzu root (¥600), Skywalk Coffee has a grape soda ice cream float (¥500) and at Skywalk Softcream you can try the purple soda (¥400) or purple soda float (¥600).
There’s also a hydrangea-themed cheese mousse (¥500), which is coloured with pink grapefruit and Ramune soda jelly. This dessert is available at the Forest Kitchen next to the parking area, so you won’t need an entry ticket to the suspension bridge area to enjoy this treat.
Admission during the day is ¥1,100 for adults, ¥500 for junior high and high school students, and ¥200 for primary school students. The light-up event on weekends from 5pm to 8.30pm is ¥800 (¥500, ¥200), while the Night Adventure activity is ¥1,900, which includes the admission fee.
For more information, visit the website.
This article was originally published on June 3 2022 and updated on June 23 2023.
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