Springtime in Japan is famous for a variety of beautiful flowers. One of them is the Japanese wisteria, a flower that captivates with its mysterious beauty and its sweet fragrance. Like wisteria’s more famous cousin the cherry blossom, multiple varieties of wisteria bloom at different times.
The average blooming period extends from mid-April to early May. The characteristic color of the wisteria is purple, but they are also found in other colors such as pink, yellow, and white. Make sure to check out this unique spectacle as you walk under pergolas across Aichi and gaze at these beautiful hanging flowers.
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The Wisteria Flower a Protagonist in History and Culture
The wisteria is originally from China and has existed for more than 2,000 years in a number of Asian countries. The beauty of this flower has attracted Japanese poets and artists and occupies an important place in Japanese culture. One of the most famous Kabuki dances “Fuji Musume” (The Wisteria Maiden) focuses on wisteria flowers as a symbol of love.
The wisteria has also made its appearance in classical Japanese literature, such as in the poetry collection Manyoshu where we find short poems called Waka that speak of scenes related to the wisteria and its flowering.
The color purple has always had a special meaning in Japan. About 1,400 years ago only high-level officials and the Imperial Family could wear purple clothes, showing both its importance and exclusivity.
Historically, wisteria symbolizes immortality and longevity. It is also a flower that symbolizes good luck, especially for the start of a business or marriage. However, the wisteria has a deeper history in Buddhism, where its growth symbolizes prayer and reflection.
Discover the Best Places to See the Wisteria Flowers in Aichi
Every year in Japan, around the first week of May, there is a collection of four National Holidays that fall within a span of seven days, creating a ‘Golden Week’ of holidays. This week coincides with the blooming period of wisteria, and the Japanese hold numerous festivals to celebrate it.
In Aichi, there are 6 magnificent places where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the wisteria flowers. Check them out!
Meijo Park Wisteria Corridor
Just north of Nagoya Castle is a large park called Meijo Park. Connecting them is a 660-meter-long wisteria corridor that extends from the East Gate of Nagoya Castle to the southern corner of Meijo Park. Nine varieties numbering 85 trees make for a beautiful walk between the castle and the park.
This is a must-see if you are visiting Nagoya Castle in early May.
Meijo Park Wisteria Corridor (名城公園藤の回廊)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 1-2 Ninomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0032
Access: Take the Meijo subway line and get off at Nagoyajo Station. It is a 3-minute walk from exit 7 to the East Gate of Nagoya Castle and the start of the Wisteria Corridor.
Website | Google Maps
Tennogawa Park (Tsushima City)
Tennogawa Park is located around a large pond in Tsushima City. Its Wisteria Festival is celebrated from the end of April to the beginning of May.
The park has 12 different varieties of wisteria and around 115 wisteria trees. During the Wisteria festival, there are numerous food stalls and lots of events going on around the park. In addition, you can have Matcha (green tea) with a Japanese sweet under the stunning wisteria flowers. Be sure not to miss the light up event in the evening.
Tennogawa Park (天王川公園)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Festival Period: April 13th (Sat) to April 29th (Mon) 2024
Light Up: 18:30 – 21:00
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 1 Rurikojicho, Tsushima, Aichi 496-0856
Access: Take the Meitetsu Tsushima line to the Tsushima station. It is a 15-minute walk to the park.
Website (Japanese Only)| Google Maps
Mandara Park (Konan City)
Mandaraji Park, located next to the Mandara Temple (founded in the 14th century), is well known for its colorful wisteria. Approximately 60 wisterias of 12 varieties cover the park in purple, pink, and white.
The Konan Fuji Festival is held each year during the wisteria season with food stalls and events. Moreover, the park is also home to roughly 200 peonies which usually bloom at the same time as the wisteria.
Mandaraji Park (曼陀羅寺公園)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Festival Period: April 15th (Mon) – May 5th (Sun) 2024
Light Up: 18:30 – 21:00
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Teramachi-202 Maehibocho, Konan, Aichi 483-83362
Access: Take the Meitetsu Inuyama train to Konan station. Change to a Meitetsu bus and get off at the Mandaraji stop. It is a 2-minute walk to the park.
Website (Japanese Only)| Google Maps
Okazaki Park (Okazaki City)
In the heart of Okazaki lies Okazaki Park, enveloping Okazaki Castle and the Mikawa Bushi Ieyasu Museum. Renowned as one of Aichi’s prime spots for cherry blossom viewing, the park also captivates visitors with its majestic wisteria trees known as Gomangoku Fuji. Legend has it that these flowers once adorned the entrance of Okazaki Castle before being transplanted to their current location.
The wisteria flowers cover the 1,300 square meters of the complex, creating a striking purple landscape. During the Wisteria festival, make sure not to miss the light-up event. Moreover, wisteria is the city’s official flower, and Gomangoku Wisteria is designated as a cultural property thus the great array of flowers in this city.
If you want to know more information about Okazaki before your visit, make sure to read our Okazaki City Area Guide.
Okazaki Park (岡崎公園)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Festival Period: April 19th (Fri) to May 5th (Sun) 2024
Light Up: 18:00 – 21:00
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 561 Kosei-cho, Okazaki City, Aichi 444-8601
Access: Take the Meitetsu train to Higashi Okazaki station. It is a 15-minute walk to the park.
Website (Japanese Only)| Google Maps
Koto Garden (Hekinan City)
The Koto Garden, spanning approximately 1,000 square meters, was built around 1820. Within the garden, visitors can admire two varieties of wisteria. The first, known as Hiro no Nagafuji, boasts branches adorned with purple flowers reaching up to 1.5 meters in length. The second variety, Daruma Fuji, is a flower with a sweet and delicate fragrance.
The Kotoen Fuji Wisteria Festival, with its beautiful night illumination of the garden, is another highlight.
Koto Garden (広藤園)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Festival Period: April 13th (Sat) to April 28th (Sun) 2024
Light Up: sunset to 21:00
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 3-36 Nihongimachi, Hekinan, Aichi 447-0029
Access: Take the Meitetsu train to Chiryu station, then change to the Mikawa line and get off at Kitashinkawa station. Take the free Kurukuru Bus to the Koto-en Nishi bus stop.
Website (Japanese Only)| Google Maps
Fuji no Kairo (Toyota City)
Located in the aptly named Fujioka (meaning Wisteria Hills) area of Toyota City, the Fuji no Kairo is a 370-meter corridor consisting of four different kinds of beautiful wisteria-covered pergolas. The path leads to the site where Mitsukuri Castle is said to have once stood.
At the Fujioka Wisteria Festival, numerous food and merchandise vendors line the corridor. Alongside stage performances, guided tours, and contests, together they set the mood for a perfect day out enjoying nature.
Before you go, make sure you read our Toyota City Guide to learn more about what to do in the birthplace of Japan’s most famous automobile manufacturer.
Fuji no Kairo (藤の回廊)
Best Time: From the end of April to early May
Festival Period: April 20th (Sat) to May 5th (Sun) 2024
Light Up: not held
Entry Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Tatchu Mitsukuricho, Toyota, Aichi 470-0424
Access: Public access can be a little difficult so we advise going by rental car or with a local guide.
Website (Japanese Only) | Google Maps
This post was last updated in April 2024.
Although we strive to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, please note that changes may occur nonetheless. We recommend you confirm any relevant information such as event cancelations or changes, opening hours, or possible restrictions using a direct source. Please keep in mind that these sources might be in Japanese only.
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