A thousand steps lined with 2,500 hydrangeas, planted in 1974 by a local Lions Club.
The staircase of about a thousand steps, in local stone laid dry (野面積み), is the main approach to the Taihei-san shrine. On both sides grow about 2,500 hydrangeas (Western, lacecap and mountain hydrangeas), planted from 1974 onwards by a local Lions Club: in full bloom, between late June and early July, they cover the whole route in colour.
Mount Ōhira, just over 340 metres high, has for centuries been home to a Shinto shrine traditionally reached on foot by this staircase; it is also the starting point for a short scenic hike overlooking the Tochigi plain. Out of season it remains a simple stone path in the woods, used for the hike more than for the flowers.
ℹ️ Path always open and free, about 30 minutes' climb at an easy pace. Reachable in 15 minutes by bus from Tochigi Station, or by car in 15 minutes from the Tochigi interchange on the Tōhoku Expressway.
🚉 Kokugakuin · 5 min walk
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Nearby
Mount Iwafune — former quarry5.2 kmphoto by Uraniwa · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tochigi Flower Center7.7 kmphoto by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) from Japan · CC BY 2.0
Karasawayama-jinja — the cat shrine8.8 kmphoto by 韋駄天狗 · CC BY 3.0
Ashikaga Flower Park16.9 kmphoto by SLIMHANNYA · CC BY-SA 4.0