Azalea is a shrub with red, pink, and white flowers that bloom from April to May. It is commonly Azaleas have been used as garden and roadside shrubs in many parts of Japan since ancient times, and were first introduced in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of waka poems. During the Edo period (1603-1868), horticulture gained popularity among the general public, leading to the breeding of numerous azalea varieties from those growing wild in Kyushu.
Today, there are over 2,000 varieties of azaleas. Some typical examples with smaller flowers and leaves than the original species include the Kirishima azalea, bred from the yamatsutsuji native to Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Kurume azalea, originating in Kurume and widely popular in Japan for its abundant small, vibrant flowers.
Due to continued high temperatures in Fukuoka, flowers are blooming earlier than usual. The best time to view azaleas will be from mid-April to Golden Week.
Azalea viewing spots in Fukuoka and its suburbs
• Fukuoka City (Maizuru Park | Nokonoshima Island Park | Nishi Park | Japanese Garden in Ohori Park)
• Kasuya-gun (Sarayama Park)
• Itoshima City (Ukidake Kohkajuen)
• Kurume City (Kurume Forest Azalea Park | World Azalea Center | Kurume Hyakunen Park)
• Munakata City (Chinkokuji Temple)
• Saga Prefecture (Daikouzenji Temple | Mifuneyama Rakuen)
Fukuoka City
Maizuru Park
At Maizuru Park, where flowers bloom in each of the four seasons, azaleas come into full bloom from mid-April in various locations throughout the park, including the azalea garden. In the azalea garden, well-maintained azaleas taller than one’s height are in full bloom, creating a feeling as if walking through a wall of azaleas.
• Season: mid-April ~ late April
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea, Satsuki Azalea
• Approx: 3,800 plants
• Free entry
• Address: Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 8 min. walk from Ohorikoen Subway Sta.
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/maiduru/
• https://www.instagram.com/maidurupark/
Nokonoshima Island Park
The nature park features magnificent grounds and an array of seasonal flowers. In spring, the landscape is adorned with pink azaleas in full bloom, accompanied by bright blue nemophila, vibrant poppies, and colorful tulips.
• Season: early April ~ late April
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea
• Approx: 5,000 plants
• Adult ¥1,200, under JHS ¥600, over 3 y.o. ¥400, discount for international students (50% off admission fee upon presentation of a certificate of study abroad or student ID)
• 9:00~17:30 (Sat., Sun., hol.: ~18:30)
• Address: Nokonoshima, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: catch a ferry from Meinohama Passenger Terminal → after arriving at Nokonoshima ferry terminal, take the Nishitetsu bus bound for “Island Park” (about 13 min.)
• http://nokonoshima.com/en/
• https://twitter.com/W2Yh7w9NLzeE2qs
Nishi Park
In Nishi Park’s Azalea Valley, six types of azaleas are planted, including Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea, and Kerama Azalea, which is unique to Okinawa and the Amami Islands, and can be admired while walking along the well-maintained promenade.
• Season: mid-April ~ early May
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azare, Kerama Azarea, Dodan Azarea, Mochi Azarea, Yodogawa Azalea
• Approx: over 780 plants
• Free entry
• Address: 13 Nishi-koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka (park map)
• Access: 15 min. on foot from Fukuoka City Subway Ohori Koen Sta. or 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop “Ohori-koen”.
• Parking: Free (79 spaces)
• https://www.nishikouen.jp/
• https://www.instagram.com/nishipark_fukuoka/
Japanese Garden in Ohori Park
A park for citizens to relax, easily accessible from Tenjin. In Ohori Park’s Japanese garden, azaleas bloom around a beautifully landscaped small pond.
Photo provided by Ohori Koen Japanese Garden photo library
• Season: mid-April ~ early May
• Japanese Garden: Adult ¥250, under 15 y.o. ¥120, free for under 6 y.o. and over 65 y.o.
• Closed: Mon.
• Address: 1-7 Ohori Koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from Fukuoka City Subway Ohori Koen Sta. or 5 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop “Fukuokajo NHK housou center iriguchi”.
• https://www.ohoriteien.jp/
• https://www.instagram.com/ohoriteien/
Kasuya-gun
Sarayama Park
Sarayama Park, one of the best-known azalea viewing spots in Fukuoka, is located at the foot of Mt. Wakasugi. A panoramic view of Fukuoka City and Hakata Bay spreads out below, and plum blossoms, irises, and hydrangeas can be enjoyed every season. Flowering conditions are updated on the official website as needed.
• Season: mid-April ~ late April
• Approx: 30,000 plants
• Free entry
• Address: 21-3 Kamisue, Sue-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka (park map)
• Access: 15 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop “Rojin home-mae”
• Parking: Free (100 spaces, 7:00~19:00)
• https://www.town.sue.fukuoka.jp/kanko_bunka_sports/kanko_tokusan/4572.html
Itoshima City
Ukidake Kohkajuen
An individual fascinated by azaleas gathered azaleas from all over the country and opened this azalea garden about 45 years ago. Centering on the 400-year-old Honkirishima, 5,000 azaleas are in full bloom in an area of 10,000 tsubo (about 1.5 acres). The garden is open only during the azalea blooming season as the “Azalea Festival,” which this year runs from April 8 to May 5. An observation deck is located at the top of the park, offering a panoramic view of the sea and mountains of Itoshima and the azaleas in the park.
Photo provided by Ukidake Kohkajuen facebook
• Season: mid-April ~ early May
• Types of Azaleas: Hon Kirishima Azalea, Kurume Azalea, Mitsuba Azalea, Renge Azalea, Yodogawa Azalea etc.
• Approx: 5,000 plants
• Open: 4/8 (Sat.) ~ 5/5 (Fri., hol.)
• Adult ¥600, child ¥300
• Address: 737 Nijo-yoshii, Itoshima City, Fukuoka
• Access: 8 min. by car from JR Chikuhi Line Fukuyoshi Sta.
• Parking: Free (over 100 spaces)
• https://www.tsutsuji-matsuri.jp/en/
• https://www.instagram.com/itoshima.tsutsuji/
Kurume City
Kurume Forest Azalea Park
Located at the top of Mt. Kora along the Mino Skyline that runs through the Mino Mountain Range, this is a beautiful and popular azalea viewing spot. The park was created to commemorate the selection of the azalea as the prefectural tree of Fukuoka Prefecture, and as many as 61,000 azalea plants are in bloom. The park is also famous for its view over the vast Chikugo Plain.
• Season: mid-April ~ late May
• Types of Azaleas: 100 kinds (Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea etc)
• Approx: 61,000 plants
• Free entry
• Address: 299-354 Mii-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. by car via Kurume IC (Kyushu Expressway)
• Parking: Free (90 spaces)
• https://bit.ly/3afy1rf
World Azalea Center
This facility was established to preserve and cultivate valuable azaleas collected at the World Azalea Festival held in 1989. The facility has 10,000 plants of 1,100 varieties, including the Kurume azalea, the pride of Kurume, azaleas from around the world, and original azalea varieties, making it the most extensive collection in Japan. The Wilson 50, a variety derived from Wilson, the plant hunter who introduced the Kurume azalea to the West, is also displayed. The garden is open to the public every year in mid-April when the azaleas are in full bloom, and during this period, the garden is open to visitors on weekends and holidays.
• Types of Azaleas: 1,600 kinds (Kurume Azalea, Azaleas from world, Original Azaleas etc)
• Approx: 11,000 plants
• Opening period for public: 4/7 (Fri.) ~ 4/28 (Fri.)
• Open: 9:00 ~ 17:00
• Free entry
• Closed: Sat., Sun., hol. (open on weekends and holidays from April 7 to 28.)
• Address: 1875-1 Minou, Yamamoto-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from JR Kyudai Line Zendoji Sta. or 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop “Yamamoto”
• Parking: Free (163 spaces)
• http://www.sekai-tsutsuji.center/
• https://www.instagram.com/sekaitsutsujicenter/
Kurume Hyakunen Park
Located along the banks of the Chikugo River, this park was established to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kurume’s municipal organization. The park features a lawn area and an azalea garden. The azalea garden is home to around 120,000 azaleas, including the Yae Kirishima azalea gifted by Tatebayashi City in Gunma, as well as ancient azalea trees from Wadomari Town in Kagoshima and Nagai City in Yamagata.
• Season: mid-April ~ early May
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Yae-Kirishima Azalea etc.
• Approx: 124,000 plants
• Free entry
• Address: 2432-1 Hyakunen-koen, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: On foot from at Hyakunen Koen bus stop
• Parking: Free (160 spaces, 7:00~22:00)
• https://welcome-kurume.com/spots/detail/d83b256c-7157-4409-a6d9-a76e603df935
Munakata City
Chinkokuji Temple
Chinkokuji Temple, known as a temple of flowers and prayers, boasts seasonal blooms throughout the year. The western slope of the temple grounds is adorned with 20,000 Kurume azaleas, while Miyama and Hirado azaleas are planted across the premises. From mid-April, the double-flowered cherry blossoms reach their peak, creating a stunning blend of cherry blossoms and azaleas. The temple also houses a store, Ikkyuan, where visitors can take a break during their stroll (open from 10:00 to 16:00 and closed irregularly).
• Season: mid-April ~ late April
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea, Miyama Azalea
• Approx: 20,000 plants
• Free entry
• Address: 966 Yoshida, Munakata City, Fukuoka (shrine map)
• Access: 15 min. by car from Munakata Taisha Shrine
• Parking: Free (140 spaces)
• http://chinkokuji.or.jp/
Saga Prefecture
Daikouzenji Temple
Often referred to as the “Azalea Temple,” this temple has a history spanning approximately 1,300 years. At the foot of Mt. Chigiri, situated behind the main hall, lies a mountain forest botanical garden called “Chigiri-en.” In spring, the garden attracts numerous visitors who come to admire the 50,000 azalea flowers and the fresh green foliage of the maple trees. The “Azalea Festival” takes place until early May, and a fee-based bus service runs every 30 minutes from the nearest station (JR Kiyama Station), with the first bus at 9:10 and the last bus at 16:55.
Photo provided by Daikouzenji facebook
• Season: mid-April ~ early May
• Approx: 50,000 plants
• Chigiri Garden: Adult ¥600, under JHS ¥300
• Open: 8:30~18:00 (Matcha cafe and restaurant: 9:00~17:00)
• Address: 3628 Sonobe, Kiyama-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga
• Access: 15 min. by car from Chikushino IC (Kyushu Expressway),
*4/22 (Sat.), 4/23 (Sun.), 4/29 (Sat., hol.) ~ 5/3 (Wed., hol.) : A temporary Nishitetsu bus (with fare) runs from JR Kiyama Station during the season.
• Parking: ¥300 (700 spaces) *only during the tourism season mid-April to early May
• https://daikouzenji.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/daikouzenji/
Mifuneyama Rakuen
The garden has a vast area of 500,000 square meters that has been in existence since the late Edo period. Against the backdrop of the rocky cliffs of Mt. Mifune, as many as 200,000 azaleas are in full bloom in the “azalea valley,” a mortar-shaped area. From the Hanami-dai (viewing platform) located at the end of the walking path surrounded by trees on the left side of Mt.
Photo provided by 御船山楽園
• Season: early April ~ early May
• Types of Azaleas: Kurume Azalea, Hirado Azalea etc
• Approx: 200,000 plants
• Adult ¥700, ES ¥300
• Open: 8:00~18:30
• Address: 4100 Takeo, Takeo-cho, Takeo City, Saga
• Access: 5 min. by car from JR Takeo Sta.
• https://www.mifuneyamarakuen.jp/spring/
• https://www.instagram.com/mifuneyamarakuen/
Originally written in April 2023.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in April 2021.
