In early summer, tens of thousands of visitors come to see over 10,000 hydrangeas at Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain in Akiruno. Visitors can rest in the shade of the trees and admire the hydrangeas, which were planted by Chuichi Minamisawa. Chuichi’s family has been the landowner of the area for centuries. His solitary effort to plant hydrangeas that started decades ago, have transformed the mountain. The story of his life, detailed in The Story of Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain, a book written by Mikiko Yanagisawa (Tabi LABO, 2021), chronicles the legacy of Chuichi, who passed away last year, and the efforts undertaken by his eldest daughter, Cazue, who supported her father throughout his life. It also features innovators in the community who manage the mountain and are carrying on the legacy of Chuichi as well as the activities of do-mo, a regional branding company based in Akiruno.
In the book, we learn that Chuichi’s decision to plant flowers along the path leading to the family’s ancestral grave came from a simple, heartfelt desire. “Our ancestral grave is located partway up the mountain. I thought it would be wonderful to walk through a path of flowers when visiting during the Obon festival.” Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist event where families honor and welcome the spirits of their ancestors, often visiting graves and offering food, flowers, and prayers. While Obon typically takes place in mid-August, in Chuichi’s area, it is celebrated in July.
After much consideration, he chose hydrangeas, which bloom beautifully during the rainy season in June and started by planting two bushes from his garden. This quiet place, a result of years of Chuichi’s dedication, leaves visitors in awe. Cazue recalls, “My father deeply respected our ancestors. As the head of a family that’s been around for 17 generations, he felt a strong sense of responsibility toward them.
The Daughter: Returning Home
Cazue returned to her family home 13 years ago when her mother’s health began to decline. Five years later, her mother passed away, and shortly after, her brother, who lived nearby, also passed. At the request of her father and two younger sisters, Cazue decided to stay in Akiruno rather than return to Nagoya, where she had been living with her husband and children. “Toward the end, my father asked me to take care of our family home. When I first came back, I only planned to help care for my mother, so I never imagined things would turn out this way.”
In addition to the hydrangea-covered mountain, the Minamisawa family home includes a beautiful garden filled with rare plants and a pond where colorful carps swim freely. For years, Cazue and her father meticulously tended to it all together. “We did so much. He would say things like, ‘Just set the ladder here and tie the rope tight around this tree and you should be safe,’ and up I went. I trimmed big cedar trees, cleared the grass from rocks. He didn’t go easy on me when it came to helping him out. I never imagined I’d be using a chainsaw in my 60s. My father always said, ‘You don’t need to use the grass cutter. I’d worry if you got hurt.’ But honestly, the chainsaw is just as dangerous! (laughs) Still, whenever my father was nearby, I felt a sense of security, like I could do anything.”
The Homecoming Wreaths
Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain is also known for the Homecoming Wreaths created by Cazue. In 2021, she opened a flower studio with the idea of offering visitors the Hydrangea Mountain to take back home. Created from natural materials, these wreaths can be fully composted. Available at a summer music festival held annually in July at the mountain, these wreaths can also be found at some of the local flower shops and at Kunitachi Station—thanks to the help by the local couple who manage the music event.
These wreaths serve as an entry ticket when brought back to the mountain on a future visit. This idea of embracing circularity allows visitors to experience the natural world’s rhythms and reminds them of their own connection to it. Cazue says “I’ve been making these wreaths for almost 10 years now. Between caring for my mother, I tended to the flowers as the seasons changed, pruning both the mountain and garden for the best blooms to dry in the workshop. I didn’t give it much thought when I first started—I was just doing it my own way and giving them to people who liked them. I usually make the bases from vines while they’re still soft, and the larger wreaths use carefully selected branches from the garden’s cedar trees.”

When we visited the mountain for an interview, a typhoon had recently passed through, prompting Cazue to prune some Japanese lantern flowers before they could fall victim to the wind. “Even the most beautiful flowers will eventually wither, but as dried flowers, they can last two to three years. Even though they’re dried, I want to preserve their lives for just a little longer.” Visitors can join a tour to make dried flowers with Cazue, hosted by Tokyo Mountain Tours, a travel company specializing in the Tama area.
The Father: Sensing His Warmth Through The Flowers
Cazue fondly recalls how her father gradually grew more interested in her dried flower creations. In the early days, when he asked her to cut vines from the cedar and cypress trees, she would collect them and use them as bases for her wreaths, along with any pruned flowers that seemed usable. “At first, my father didn’t think much of it, but eventually, he’d bring me flowers he found and say, ‘How about this one?’ He even helped me clean up the leaves and any damaged parts.”
Though many thought of them as a close-knit father-daughter duo, Cazue says with a laugh that their similar personalities meant they often clashed. “We were the most alike in the family, so maybe that’s why we butted heads. He didn’t say much, but I think he was pleased with what I was doing. My father was a kind man—he almost never raised his voice or yelled. Looking back, I realize how much I learned from him. He always said that when you’re in a conflict, shouting only makes things worse. ‘It’s better to just listen quietly to what the other person has to say.’”

The Show Must Go On: Chuichi’s Legacy and the Next Generation
Today, the Hydrangea Mountain is maintained primarily by Ken Takamizu, the head of do-mo, a local company that operates cafe, restaurant, and campsite in the area. He leads the efforts in pruning and managing the hydrangea. Reflecting on how the torch was passed from her father to the local youth, Cazue recalls, “At first, my father handled But as he got older, it became increasingly difficult for him to manage the work alone. Then, Ken and his team approached us, offering to help. Initially, my father doubted whether these young people, who had no experience in forestry, could take on such tasks, but he was moved by their enthusiasm. Pruning hydrangeas on the mountainside is not only physically demanding but also requires skill and knowledge. Over the years, my father patiently taught them, but it was no easy task for either side. My hope is that people will continue to enjoy the hydrangeas my father planted for many years to come, but this requires an immense amount of upkeep. Despite their busy schedules, Ken and his team dedicate time not only during the blooming season but throughout the year to care for the mountain. I feel guilty asking for so much, but I’m also deeply grateful.”
With the wise guidance and encouragement of the older generation, paired with the innovative and creative approaches of the younger one, the Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain continues to evolve, paving the way for new possibilities.
Cazue Morisaki, Founder and Designer of Cazue Flower Studio
Cazue is the founder and designer of Cazue Flower Studio which uses dried flowers from the local area. Established in 2021 within the grounds of Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain in Akiruno, the Studio offers handcrafted wreaths called Homecoming Wreaths. Her creations use only natural materials that can turn into compost, and are lovingly described as the Hydrangea Mountain people can take back home. The studio operates from mid-June to early July each year, during the open season of the mountain, and offers workshops during this time.
About Akiruno
Akiruno is located in the western part of Tokyo. The eastern part of Akiruno is a plain surrounded by gentle hills, while the western part features mountainous areas that are part of Okutama. The area once thrived on forestry and silk spinning, and the remnants of those days are shown in the old kominka that are still in existence, a testament to the history and culture of those times. The rich natural environment, exemplified by the Akikawa Valley, attracts enthusiasts of fishing, camping, hiking, and trail running. It is known as a place where the convenience of urban life can be combined with the pleasures of rural living.
Photo courtesy of do-mo: Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain