Wisteria Flower Tunnel in Japan

A trip to a fantastical world full of Wisteria flowers

Kyushu & Okinawa, Spring, Trivia 2015.01

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Once you step into the wisteria tunnel, you will be overwhelmed by the fresh sent and the beautiful scenery of numerous clusters of flowers lying on top of one another. Please come experience this grand sight which can only be seen in spring in Japan.

Wisteria is a plant that grows all over Japan and which has captivated Japanese people for a long time. The flower clusters hang down for the tip of the plant’s long vines and sway beautifully in the wind. Wisteria is so beloved that it even appears in Waka, a classic Japanese poem. At Kawachi Fujien in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, you can enjoy the grand sight of these beautiful wisteria flowers.

Kawachi Fujien

Kawachi Fujien is a private wisteria garden established in 1977. It is open only during wisteria season and when leaves the leaves change colours in autumn. Generally wisteria is said to be at its best at the beginning of May, but being in the warm southern climate of Kyushu, the best time to visit Kawachi Fujien is in late April. Approximately 150 trees comprising 22 types of wisteria in a variety of colors grow in a 10,000 square meters area.
There are many attractions to see in the garden, including 2 kinds of wisteria tunnel, an 80m long tunel (263ft) and a 220m long (722ft) tunnel, wisteria domes and wisteria trellises. Wisteria tunnels became extremely popular after they were introduced on a website in 2012 and have become a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. There are huge wisteria trellises at the end of the tunnels and you can see wisteria trees which are more than 100 years old. Relax while being surrounded by wisteria flowers, taking a break and enjoying lunch under a beautiful wisteria trellis.

Kawachi Fujien

Address: 2-2-48 Kawachi, Yahata-Higashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Phone: 093-652-0334
Open: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Access: From Fukuoka Airport, take the subway and then a JR train to JR Yahata Station (about one hour). Take Nishitetsu bus #56 from Yahata Station to “Kawachi Shogakko-Mae” bus stop (about 20 min). The garden is a 15 minutes walk from the bus stop.
Admission fee: 300 yen -1,000 yen (changes depending on the blossoming stage of the flowers)
*Kawachi Fujien is a small garden in the mountains and can be difficult to access, so thorough research on the route is recommended before you go. Also it can be very crowded during the blooming season, so avoiding weekends and peak times is recommended.