Hydrangeas are generally poisonous, but the leaves can be fermented to make a special kind of tea called 'amacha' (甘茶). As the name suggests, it is incredibly sweet, and is typically drunk on special occasions.

On Buddha's Birthday people soak small statues of Buddha in amacha.

#花祭り #BuddhasBirthday

Hydrangeas are generally poisonous, but the leaves can be fermented to make a special kind of tea called 'amacha' (甘茶).

As the name suggests, it is incredibly sweet, and is typically drunk on special occasions.

On Buddha's Birthday people soak small statues of Buddha in amacha.

#Kyoto #BuddhasBirthday #amacha #甘茶 #hydrangea #hydrangeatea

Thanks to the many sweet hydrangeas that bloom in its gardens, Reigen-in (霊源院) is commonly known as the 'Amacha Temple' (甘茶の寺).

The Kennin-ji sub-temple was founded between 1394-1428 by Ichian Ichirin (一庵一麟). First named 'Reisen-in' (霊泉院), a few years later Kennin-ji's abbot, Zaisen Kijō (在先希譲), renamed it Reigen-in.

#BuddhasBirthday #Kyoto #京都 #Japan #Kenninji #建仁寺 #Reigenin #霊源院

Although not a national holiday, most temples hold celebrations for Kanbutsu-e.

It's customary to pour 'ama-cha' (甘茶), a herbal tea made from the fermented leaves of a type of hydrangea, over small Buddha statues decorated with flowers...as if bathing a newborn baby.

#Japan #Buddha #BuddhasBirthday #HanaMatsuri #FlowerFestival #甘茶 #amacha #Kanbutsue #灌仏会