Cecelia ChangGet ready to be mesmerised by a cascade of purple! The annual Great Wisteria Festival is back at Ashikaga Flower Park, promising a breathtaking display of wisteria blooms in various hues. From mid-April to early May, the park in Ashikaga, Japan transforms into a wonderland of fragrant blossoms, captivating visitors with its beauty and history.
This year’s festival boasts a spectacular display. It’s not just the iconic purple wisteria (fuji-no-hana in Japanese) to watch out for, but also lesser-seen varieties in pink, white, and yellow. A true highlight is the park’s 160-year-old wisteria vine, sprawling majestically over an astonishing 1,000 square metres.
Also read: 32 Things to See and Do in Japan for First-Time Travellers
From tunnels to illuminations: Ways to experience the wisteria
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No matter what time you visit, the Ashikaga Flower Park offers a variety of ways to experience wisteria magic. Stroll through enchanting blossom tunnels, including one that’s a staggering 80 metres long, and another that gracefully drapes over a bridge.
As evening descends, the park comes alive with illuminations, creating a unique yet truly magical atmosphere where the wisteria takes on a whole new life.
When are the blooming times?
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The festival takes place each year from mid-April to mid-May. This year, it runs from 13 Apr to 15 May 2024, with nighttime illuminations scheduled from 18 Apr to 12 May 2024. Please note the varying opening hours during the festival:
- 13 Apr (Sat) to 17 Apr (Wed): 9am to 6pm
- 18 Apr (Thu) to 24 Apr (Wed): 8am to 8.30pm
- 25 Apr (Thu) to 6 May (Mon): 7am to 9pm
- 7 May (Tue) to 15 May (Wed): 8am to 8.30pm
Besides that, the festival showcases different varieties of wisteria at peak bloom times throughout its duration. There are diverse flora spectacles depending on when you visit:
- Mid- to late April: usubeni-fuji (light pink wisteria)
- Late April to early May: The “Great Wisteria” (the renowned 150-year-old wisteria tree)
- Early May: shiro-fuji (white wisteria)
- Early to mid-May: kibana-fuji (yellow blossom wisteria)
How much is the ticket?
The admission fees range from JPY 1,000 to JPY 2,200 (~US$6.53 to US$14.37 or ~S$8.84 to US$19.45) for adults and JPY 500 to JPY 1,100 (~US$3.27 to US$7.18 or ~S$4.42 to US$9.73) for children. There are separate fees for nighttime illuminations, and prices increase on weekends and peak bloom periods, including Golden Week.
As opening times and ticket prices vary throughout the festival, we recommend also checking the official website for the most accurate information before your visit.
Getting to Ashikaga Flower Park
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To reach Ashikaga Flower Park, take the JR Ryomo Line to Ashikaga Flower Park Station, located in the city of Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture. From Tokyo, you can reach Oyama via the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station. After, transfer to the JR Ryomo Line.
Alternatively, take a Rapid Rabbit train. It’s on the JR Utsunomiya Line from Tokyo or Ueno, which operates in the early mornings and evenings. Regular express trains are also available, although they might take slightly longer.
Also read: Sakura Season in Hokkaido: Catching the Last Blooms in Japan
Don’t miss out this opportunity to experience the magic of the Great Wisteria Festival at Japan’s Ashikaga Flower Park this year! For more things to do and travel guides around the world, check out our Facebook and Instagram.
