Chozuya are water ablution pavilions or basins typically found at Shinto temple or shrine, where visitors cleanse their hands and sometimes rinse their mouths before or after the prayer.

Due to ongoing pandemic restrictions and preventative measures, many shrines have restricted the use of Chozuya by floating Hydrangea flowers in the water fountains, which have come to be called “Hana(Flower)chozu”. Between May and July, which is the peak blooming season for Hydrangea flowers, you will be able to see local shrines participating in this tradition, and the sight of Hydrangea flowers floating in the Chozuya very commonly.

Japanese photographer and Twitter user Somewakeyakko (@somewakeyakko) often shares daily photos on Twitter. Recently, she took a photo of a Chozuya at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu in Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture.

Take a look at this stunningly clear, beautiful example of Chozuya.

The sight of water droplets gently falling on to the light blue color Hydrangea flowers is just so beautiful.

It looks so serene that you feel cleansed just by looking at this.

There were many people who were also moved by this photo.

Apparently, depending on the angles and the light exposure, the same Hanachozu could look very differently, too. This type of photo is only limited to the Hydrangea season. It makes it even more special.