Photo= Hydrangeas magically appear amid the darkness during the illumination test (June 9, Mimurotoji Temple, Todo, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Prior to the hydrangea illumination event starting June 11, a test light-up was held on June 9 at Mimurotoji Temple in Todo, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Illuminated in the drizzle, colorful hydrangeas in their full glory emerged fantastically from the darkness.

The hydrangea garden was established in 1989. Approximately 10,000 hydrangeas of about 50 varieties are planted in the roughly 5,000-square-meter area. Blessed with a proper amount of rainfall and continuous warm days, the floors came into full bloom one week earlier than usual this year.

Approximately 60 light fixtures and around 100 Japanese-style lamps have been installed in the garden. When the lights were lit, the vividness of the red, blue, white and pink hydrangeas covered with raindrops was further intensified.

Kokyo Itami, the temple's chief priest, said, "I would like people to appreciate refreshing charm of the hydrangeas amid the Japanese cedar trees." The illumination will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until June 26. There is an admission fee.