Top Wisteria Locations and Events in Japan
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Wisterias, with their enchanting cascades of purple, pink, and white blooms, carry the torch of springtime joy once cherry blossom season is over in Japan. These delicate flowers are also deeply woven into the cultural fabric, representing grace and the fleeting nature of life in a similar way sakura does. Celebrated for their mesmerizing beauty, wisterias draw visitors from around the world to Japan’s ancient temples, parks, and historic gardens.
The sight of wisteria tunnels and trellises under the sun and, in many cases, accompanied by evening illumination events, never gets old. Their significance is celebrated annually in festivals that showcase the floral spectacle and also reflect Japan’s deep appreciation for nature’s transient beauty.
1. Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi
Ashikaga Flower Park (あしかがフラワーパーク) is, as the name indicates, truly a flower wonderland, globally recognized for its breathtaking wisteria displays. The park’s centerpiece, a 150-year-old wisteria tree, spans over 1,000 square meters, creating a stunning floral canopy. You can also wander through enchanting tunnels of white and yellow wisteria, feeling immersed in a world of vibrant hues.
But if you think that’s impressive enough, wait until you see the night illumination! The park transforms into a magical landscape, earning it recognition as Japan’s most beautiful night view. If you can spend the whole day, a visit in the early morning is recommended to avoid the crowds!
▽More details about Ashikaga Flower Park!▽
▶Ashikaga Flower Park Great Wisteria Festival
 Access |
In front of Ashikaga Flower Park Station |
|---|---|
 Official Website |
http://www.ashikaga.co.jp/ |
2. Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Tokyo
Near Tokyo Skytree lies Kameido Tenjin Shrine (亀戸天神社), a historical sanctuary adorned with over 100 wisteria vines that has become one of the city’s most popular hotspots during its wisteria matsuri. This Edo-period festival captivates visitors with its scenic pond, iconic vermilion bridge, and the elegant drapery of wisteria blooms.
The festival, spanning three weeks from mid-April to early May, not only showcases the floral beauty but also hosts special events and food stalls. The evening illumination of wisteria under the night sky adds a mystical charm, making it a must-visit for residents and visitors alike.
▽More details about Kameido Tenjin!▽
▶Kameido Tenjin Shrine Wisteria Festival
| Access |
12-min walk from Kameido or Kinshicho Station / 15-min walk from Oshiage Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
http://kameidotenjin.or.jp/ |
3. Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Fukuoka
Kawachi Wisteria Garden (河内藤園) in Kitakyushu, is a private haven featuring over 20 varieties of wisteria in a sprawling 10,000 square meter area. The garden’s two tunnels, stretching 80 and 110 meters, are draped in a mesmerizing array of wisteria colors, offering visitors a surreal experience.
This hidden gem has gained international fame, attracting visitors worldwide to witness the peak bloom in spring. Due to its popularity, an advanced online ticket purchase is required, ensuring a seamless experience amidst the enchanting floral tunnels.
▽More details about Kawachi Wisteria Garden▽
▶Kawachi Wisteria Garden: The Most Beautiful Tunnel in the World
4. Tennogawa Park, Aichi
Tennogawa Park (天王川公園) in Tsushima City, once known as the “Village of Wisteria Waves,” continues to enchant visitors with its wisteria blooms during the “Owari Tsushima Wisteria Festival,” held from late April to early May. The park boasts 114 wisteria plants across 12 varieties, sprawling over an area of approximately 5,034 square meters.
The highlight is the wisteria trellis, which not only captivates during the day but also comes alive at night with stunning illuminations. The reflection of the trellis on the water’s surface adds an extra layer of charm to the already picturesque scene.
5. Mandaraji Park, Aichi
Adjacent to the historic Mandaraji Temple, established by the imperial order of Emperor Go-Daigo, Mandaraji Park (曼陀羅寺公園) is a beloved spot in Konan City. The park is home to about 60 wisteria plants, featuring a variety of early and late bloomers in shades of purple and white.
The best time to visit is from late April to early May, coinciding with the peak bloom of approximately 200 peony plants. During the Konan Wisteria Festival (江南藤まつり), the park transforms with enchanting light-ups and various events, with the backdrop of the temple architecture.
| Access |
10-mis bus from Konan Station |
|---|---|
| Official Website |
https://www.city.konan.lg.jp/shisetsu/kouen/1002997/1003002.html |
6. Byodo-in Temple, Kyoto
Byodoin Temple (平等院), in the city of Uji, is a historical gem that was transformed from a regal villa into a Buddhist temple by Regent Fujiwara Yorimichi in 1502. Renowned for its scenic beauty, the temple grounds come alive with the ethereal beauty of wisteria flowers.
The temple boasts nearly 20,000 clusters of wisteria, creating a breathtaking vista that has been well-known since the Heian period. The iconic Phoenix Hall, against the backdrop of these delicate blooms, creates one of the most iconic scenes in this location during Spring.
7. Byakugouji Temple, Hyogo
Byakugouji Temple (白毫寺), a Tendai sect temple established in 705, is a sanctuary enveloped in the tranquility of wisteria blooms. Known for its “Kyushaku Fuji” or long wisteria racemes, the temple’s mystical experience is enhanced by the scenery of a purple canopy.
With two wisteria trellises measuring 120m and 70m, you can feel completely immersed in the beauty of these flowers, especially from early to mid-May. The temple grounds, complete with a drum bridge and a stone garden, invite a peaceful exploration. The best time for a quiet visit is during the morning.
8. Yame-Kurogi Ofuji Festival, Fukuoka
The Yame-Kurogi Ofuji Festival (八女黒木大藤まつり) is held at Kurogi Susanoo Shrine in Yame City. Celebrated from mid-April to early May, the festival honors the blooming Kurogi no Ofuji, a beloved giant wisteria tree designated as a natural monument in 1928. This ancient wisteria, over 620 years old, has withstood numerous battles and fires, earning it the reputation as the wisteria of longevity. The festival’s highlight is the expansive wisteria trellises, covering about 3,000 square meters, with some flower clusters reaching over 1 meter in length. The event also features stalls and sake brewery tours as complementing activities.
| Access |
30-min drive from Hainuzuka Station |
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| Official Website |
http://www.townkurogi-ta.jp/ |
9. Kanahebisui Shrine, Miyagi
Kanahebisui Shrine (金蛇水神社) in Iwanuma City, revered for its business and financial prosperity blessings, is home to the “Kiryu no Fuji” or Nine Dragons Wisteria. This majestic wisteria, with a history spanning 300 years, is a sight to behold, especially in mid-May when it reaches full bloom. The wisteria trellis, covering about 100 square meters, showcases an impressive display of cascading flowers that create the illusion of a floral shower.
The shrine, which also houses one of the largest Benzaiten (goddess of wisdom, art, and beauty) statues in the Tohoku region, turns into a lively place from May 3rd to 15th, offering seasonal special seals and a variety of events during the annual flower festival.
10. Fuji Blooming Hill, Gunma
Fuji Blooming Hill (ふじの咲く丘) in Fujioka City, is a spectacular park dedicated to the city’s official flower, the wisteria, recognized in 1979. The park features an impressive 350 m-long wisteria trellis, creating a tunnel-like experience that immerses visitors in the gentle fragrance and cascading blooms of the wisteria, reminiscent of a floral chandelier.
With 45 varieties of wisteria planted, the park offers a kaleidoscope of colors, including purple, white, and pink. The “Fujioka Fuji Festival” held from late April to mid-May, coincides with the peak blooming period, often around Golden Week, providing a perfect backdrop for various events, including local product markets, outdoor concerts, and the enchanting nighttime illumination of the wisteria trellis.
| Access |
10-min drive from Gumma-Fujioka Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.city.fujioka.gunma.jp/kanko_bunka_sports/kankojoho/3/1/2711.html |
Wisterias may not be as famous as cherry blossoms abroad, but their cultural relevance as a cherished symbol of spring in Japan is undeniable. If you haven’t fallen under their spell yet, it’s never too late to have (yet another) excuse to visit these places!
You can enjoy a wide variety of flowers in Japan throughout the year. Check out our ultimate guide to flowers in Japan and find the best seasonal blooms!
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Written by
Photographer, journalist, and avid urban cyclist, making sense of Japan since 2017. I was born in Caracas and lived for 14 years in Barcelona before moving to Tokyo. Currently working towards my goal of visiting every prefecture in Japan, I hope to share with readers the everlasting joy of discovery and the neverending urge to keep exploring.
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