When it comes to flowers that cool the summer waterside, the lotus is unmatched. Across Kanagawa Prefecture, you can enjoy lotus flowers in many settings, from the grounds of historic temples and shrines to gardens and parks.

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In fact, the lotus is a plant with an extraordinarily long history — its origins reach back to the age of dinosaurs. And the more you learn about "ancient lotus" grown from seeds around 2,000 years old, the more romantic it becomes.

Here we introduce the characteristics of the lotus, the story of the ancient lotus, and the varieties and viewing spots found across Kanagawa. As the heat builds, why not wake a little early and head out to see lotus flowers blooming on the water?

What Is the Lotus?

The lotus is an aquatic plant that grows by the water and is one of summer's signature flowers. Around July, it stretches its stem high to bloom with large white or pink flowers about 1 meter above the water's surface.

A distinctive trait of the lotus is that its petals scatter only about 4 days after blooming, leaving behind a seed pod dotted with holes as a base. Seeds ripen in each hole, preparing for next year's bloom.

Lotus vs. Water Lily

Alongside the lotus, the water lily is also commonly seen on summer watersides. Because both bloom similar white or pink flowers from the water, they are often confused.

But a close look at their leaves reveals they are completely different plants.

Lotus leaves are "standing leaves" that rise straight up from the water, while water lily leaves are "floating leaves" that rest on the surface and never stand upright. Their shapes differ too: lotus leaves are round with no notch, while water lilies have a deep notch.

When viewing the flowers, try paying attention to leaf shape and how they grow.

A History Reaching Back to the Dinosaurs: The Romance of the Ancient Lotus

Although the lotus is a familiar summer flower, fossils of lotus leaves have been found in Cretaceous-period strata, revealing a history far longer than we imagine.

The Cretaceous was the era when dinosaurs walked the earth.

What brings this long history close to home is the "ancient lotus" — the general term for lotus grown from ancient seeds that slept deep underground and sprouted in modern times.

The most famous is the "Oga Lotus": in 1951, botanist Dr. Ichiro Oga succeeded in germinating a roughly 2,000-year-old lotus seed discovered in strata in Chiba Prefecture. The following year it bloomed pale pink flowers, causing a great sensation.

When those seeds began sleeping in the soil, Japan was still in the Yayoi period. The thought of such ancient seeds blooming again gives the ancient lotus a romance beyond mere beauty.

Kanagawa Spots for Ancient and Oga Lotus

Kanagawa also has spots where you can enjoy lotus with a sense of deep history. You can see ancient lotus at Kanigaya Park, and Oga lotus in the moat of Odawara Castle and Yokohama City Children's Botanical Garden — the variety on view differs by location.

Gazing at lotus blooming on the summer waterside while reflecting on the plant's history stretching back to ancient times is a wonderful way to spend a morning.

Major Kanagawa Temples and Shrines for Lotus Viewing

The lotus takes root in mud yet stretches its stem straight from the water to bloom beautifully. And because it bears many seeds in its pod after flowering, it has long been cherished as a flower symbolizing purity and vitality.

For these reasons, lotus has been widely planted in temple grounds and garden ponds, passing down through generations to adorn the summer waterside.

Kanagawa is home to many spots where you can enjoy lotus alongside historic buildings and garden scenery. Here are some major spots to enjoy lotus flowers that open early in the morning.

The Many Lotus Varieties of Kanagawa

Including horticultural cultivars, there are said to be several hundred lotus varieties worldwide today, differing in petal count, color, and pattern.

You can also see various lotus types across Kanagawa — enjoy the differences on your next outing.