As we bid farewell to the cherry blossoms, another beautiful tree blooms across Kyushu, particularly in Fukuoka. Wisteria has been cherished by the Japanese since the Nara period (710 to 794 AD), and it even appears in the Manyoshu, the oldest surviving collection of Japanese poetry compiled in the 8th century. This plant can thrive in harsh conditions, and some species offer edible flowers, roots, and bark with medicinal properties. From mid-April to early May, wisteria is at its prime, displaying a stunning array of colors and a sweet fragrance. Luckily, Fukuoka offers numerous wisteria-viewing spots, some of which have been designated as natural monuments of Japan, like Nakayama no Ofuji in Yanagawa and Kurogi no Ofuji in Yame.
In Fukuoka, the wisteria flowers start to bloom in mid-April, with festivals and nighttime light-up events in some places. The best time to view these breathtaking flowers is from mid to late April.
Wisteria viewing spots in Fukuoka Prefecture
• Fukuoka City (Maizuru Park)
• Itoshima City (Umi Hachimangu Shrine)
• Ogori City (Onakatomi Shrine, Gondo Ryokushuen Garden)
• Chikushino City (Buzoji Temple)
• Miyama City (Kamikusuda Tenmangu)
• Yanagawa City (Nakayama no Ofuji)
• Yame City (Kurogi no Ofuji)
• Tagawa-gun (Jozenji Temple)
• Asakura-gun (Kamitakaba no Ofuji)
• Kitakyushu City (Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Kichijoji Temple)
Fukuoka City
Maizuru Park Wisteria Garden
Enjoy wisteria in the heart of the city! 10 of the 30 wisteria plants here are over 100 years old and were moved here from Higashi Koen (Hakata-ku). Under the care of expert gardeners, the wisteria plants are now in better condition than ever. On April 22 and 23 a wisteria festival will be held, with flower seedlings for sale, workshops, monkey shows, and rickshaw rides (for a fee).
• Season: Mid-April ~ early May
• Age: Approx. (10 out of 30 are over 100 years)
• Scale: Approx. 1,300 m2
• Wisteria Festival: 4/22 (Sat.), 4/23 (Sun.)
• Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka(park map)
• Access: 8 min. walk from Ohorikoen Subway Sta.
• Parking: available (¥150)
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/maiduru/events/detail/756
• https://www.instagram.com/maidurupark/
Itoshima City
Umi Hachimangu Shrine
The approach to this shrine is lined with wisteria from mid-April to early May. Enjoy viewing wisteria against a backdrop of rich nature!
Photo from Itoshima City
• Season: late April ~ beginning of May
• Age: Approx. 260 years
• Scale: Approx. 200 m2
• 787 Kawatsuki, Itoshima City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. by bus from Chikuzen-Maebaru Sta. (JR Chikuhi Line)
• Parking: free
• https://www.instagram.com/umihachimanguu_itoshima/
Chikushino City
Buzoji Temple
Experience the beauty of wisteria and one of Kyushu’s oldest temples together! The wisteria plants at this location are approximately 1,300 years old, and their flowers extend down up to one meter. On April 29, a wisteria festival will be held, featuring stalls, stage events, and a wisteria memorial service at 10:00 a.m. During the service, sake will be poured into the roots of the wisteria under the trellis.
• Season: Mid-April ~ Early May
• Age: Approx. 1,300 years
• Scale: Approx. 200 m2
• Futsukaichi Onsen Wisteria Festival: 4/29 (Sat., hol.) 10:00~
• 621 Musashi, Chikushino City, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. walk from JR Futsukaichi Sta.
• Parking: free (20 spaces)
• https://www.chikushino.org/buzouji/
• https://www.daikanso.co.jp/wp/archives/1574
Ogori City
Onakatomi Shrine
At a shrine with a designated cultural asset gate, which is extremely valuable from an academic perspective to gain knowledge of the building techniques of the late Edo period, there is a wisteria tree known as “Shogun Wisteria”. It is estimated to be 660 years old and designated as a natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture. The deep purple flowers hanging down from the wisteria trellis, which covers an area of approximately 200 square meters, are gorgeous and splendid.
• Season: Late April ~ beginning of May
• Age: Approx 600 years
• Scale: Approx. 500 m2
• 555 Fukudo, Ogori City, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. walk from Nishitetsu Hatama Sta.
• Parking: Not available
• https://kanko-ogori.net/syougunfujimaturi/
Gondo Ryokushuen Garden
The wisteria blooming at Onakatomi Shrine, Ogori City, a natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture with an estimated age of 660 years, called “Shogun Fuji (wisteria),” was hit with disease last year and is under treatment, so this year we introduce Gondo Ryokushuen, which has rare double-flowering wisteria.
At Gondo Ryokushuen Garden, which sells plants, the “Yae Kokuryu,” a double-flowered variety characterized by its clusters of grape-like, bushy flowers, is in bloom. When the dense fragrance of the flowers is in full bloom, an observation deck is set up where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the wisteria flowers from above.
• Season: Mid-April ~ Early May
• Age: Approx. 87 years
• Free entry
• Scale: Approx. 352 m2
• 656-3 Inoue, Ogori City, Fukuoka
• Access: 18 min. walk from Matsuzaki Sta., Amagi Railways.
• Parking: Free (approx 4~5 spaces)
• https://kanko-ogori.net/fuji/
Miyama City
Kamikusuda Tenmangu Shrine
Every year, the flowers at this shrine amaze visitors with their delightful fragrance and beautiful colors. The fujidana (wisteria shelf) stretches 21.3 m by 7.5 m. Depending on the year, the purple and white flowers of these 100-year-old plants drape down as far as a meter!
Photo: みやま市
• Season: Mid-April ~ Early May
• Age: Approx. 300 years
• Scale: Approx. 150 m2
• Kamikusuda Tenmangu Shrine, Kamikusuda, Takata-machi, Miyama, Fukuoka
• Access: Approx. 6 min. by car from JR Wataze Sta.
• Parking: Free (several spaces)
• https://bit.ly/3LsNcNA
Yanagawa City
Nakayama no Ofuji
Kumano Shrine boasts 300-year-old trees that are designated as a natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture. The trees are adorned with wisteria that covers an impressive 1,700 square meters of trellises. The wisteria is at its peak from mid-April to late April. This year, after a four-year hiatus, the large wisteria festival will be held, and the wisteria trellises will be illuminated at night.
• Season: Mid-April ~ late April
• Age: Approx. 300 years
• Scale: Approx. 1,700 m2
• Nakayama Ofuji Festival: 4/14 (Fri.) ~ 4/28 (Fri.)
• Light-up: Sunset to 22:00 during the festival
• Nakayama Kumano Shrine and Tachibana Ikoi no Mori Park (venue map)
• Access: Approx. 10 min. by car from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Sta. *temporary toll buses run every 30 minutes during the festival
• Temporary parking available (during the festival only)
• https://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/kanko/meisho/2140.html
Yame City
Kurogi no Ofuji
Kurogi in Yame is known for its thousands of beautiful wisteria, which create gorgeous purple curtains of flowers. These plants have been designated a natural monument of Japan. This wisteria spot is located by Japan National Route 442, inside Susano Shrine.
• Season: Mid-April ~ Early May
• Age: 600 years over
• Scale: Approx. 3,000 m2
• Kurogi Ofuji Festival: 4/22 (Sat.) ~ 5/7 (Sun.)
• 5-2 Kurogi-machi Kurogi, Yame City, Fukuoka
• Access: 30 min. by car from Kyushu Expressway Yame IC
• Parking: ¥500 or free parking will be provided
• http://www.townkurogi-ta.jp/topics/2023/2023_04/tpc_202304220507.html
• http://www.townkurogi-ta.jp/event/index.html
Tagawa-gun
Jozenji Temple
Locals and tourists alike make the journey to see Jozenji Temple’s wisteria, which are designated natural monuments of Fukuoka Prefecture. The flowers of these 500-year-old plants cascade down as far as 1.5 m. These wisteria are called Kojo no Fuji and the plant has become the symbol of Fukuchi. On April 16, when hopefully the flowers are in full bloom, a wisteria festival is held and a wisteria memorial service is held from 11:30 a.m. (open to the public) to pray for the prolongation of the wisteria’s life.
• Season: late April ~ early May
• Age: Approx. 500 years
• Scale: Approx. 800 m2
• Jozenji Temple Wisteria Festival: 4/16 (Sun.) 11:30~
• Jozenji Temple, 3624 Benjo, Fukuchi-machi, Tagawa, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. on foot from Kanada Sta., Heisei Chikuho Railways
• Parking: Free (two parking lots with a total 50 spaces)
• http://www.town.fukuchi.lg.jp/fukuchi_trip/fuji.html
Asakura-gun
Kamitakaba no Ofuji
Locals and visitors from out of town make the journey to this wisteria-viewing spot, located on the grounds of a shrine. Wisteria flowers will be lit up from April 9 to 23.
• Season: Late April ~ Early May
• Age: Approx. over 100 years
• Scale: Approx. 420 m2
• Wisteria Festival: 4/16 (Sun.) 10:00~
• Light-up: 4/9 (Sun.) ~ 4/23 (Sun.) 18:00~22:00
• 1793-1 Kamitakaba, Chikuzen-machi, Asakura, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop “Kurita”
• Parking: Free (approx. 7 spaces)
• https://amagiasakura.net/sightseeing_post/kamitakabanoofuji/
Munakata City
Hasshogu Shrine
This shrine is filled with wisteria, some of which are a few hundred years old. The shrine’s location within 65,000 m2 of virgin forest gives it a peaceful air, and it has been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture. Turn right once you’ve passed through the torii gate, and you’ll be greeted by swathes of wisteria.
• Season: late April ~ early May
• Age: approx. 60 years
• Scale: approx. 1,000 m2
• 3186 Yoshidome, Munakata City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. on foot from Nishitetsu bus stop Yoshidome
• Parking: Free
• http://www.muna-tabi.jp/k006/010/020/020/100/20150204150132.html
Kitakyushu City
Kawachi Wisteria Garden
This privately-operated garden boasts a 3,000 m2 wide and 200 m long dome-shaped tunnel with 22 different varieties of wisteria, making it one of the leading wisteria gardens in Japan. It’s also well-known overseas since CNN included it in their list of “Japan’s 36 Most Beautiful Places”. The lovely gradation of the flowers hanging from the tunnel will make visitors feel as if they’ve stepped right into a painting. Advance purchase of a ticket for a specific date and time is required.
• Open: 4/22 (Sat.) ~ 5/7 (Sun.)
• Hours: 8:00~18:00 (last entry 17:20)
• Fee: ¥500~¥1,500 (fee to change depending on blooming conditions), free for up to two high school students (or younger) accompanied by one adult.
*Tickets must be purchased in advance at official website or convenience stores.
• Age: Approx. 100 years
• Scale: Approx. 3,000 m2
• 2-2-48 Kawachi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: By car: get off the Sanji ramp or Otani ramp from Kitakyushu Expressway Route No. 4. 20 min. drive from there.
• Parking: Free (approx. 200 spaces)
• https://kawachi-fujien.com/
Kichijoji Temple
Around late April, the grounds of this famous wisteria-viewing spot turn purple with blooming flowers, and you can walk beneath a canopy of purple and white wisteria!
• Season: Mid-April ~ Late April
• Age: Approx. over 160 years
• Scale: Approx. 1,000 m2
• 13-11 Kisshoji-machi, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: Approx. 7 min. walk from Nishitetsu bus stop “Meiji-machi Danchi”
• Parking: Free (Katsuki Chuo Park)
• https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/yahatanishi/file_0122.html
Originally written in March 2016, updated 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 March 2016.
