Ashikaga Flower Park boasts over 350 wisteria gardens, including the 94,000 square meter trellis, a 160-year-old wisteria, and an 80-meter tunnel of white wisteria.
Hello everyone! Today, I introduce the Ashikaga Flower Park, located in Tochigi Prefecture. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to visit in person, I’ve conducted detailed research on its allure, and I’m eager to share this information with all of you.
Visitors can witness the gradual blooming of cherry-colored, purple, white, and yellow wisterias, and enjoy the illuminated “Night Wisteria” experience. The Great Wisteria, a natural monument of Tochigi Prefecture, is a must-see attraction.
The video I’ve selected from YouTube is right here.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
The Enchanting Ashikaga Flower Park
The Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture is a captivating destination that showcases magnificent displays of wisteria, symbolizing moments of joy and appreciation. In fact, CNN recognized its splendor and included it in their “Dream Destinations for 2014” list.
Breathtaking Beauty: Exploring the Park's Splendor
Covering an expansive 940,000 square meters, the park features over 350 stunning wisteria gardens.
Visitors will be amazed by the 1,000 square meter wisteria trellis, designated as a natural monument of Tochigi Prefecture, the 160-year-old wisterias, and the 80-meter-long tunnel of white wisteria. The stunning beauty of these scenes will leave you in awe and with a deep appreciation for the natural wonders that surround us.
Experience the Wisteria's Gradual Bloom
At the park, visitors can experience the wisteria’s gradual bloom, which begins in stages depending on the type. The first to appear are the cherry-colored wisteria, usually starting in early April in some years, and mid-April in most years, and ending by late April.
The Great Wisteria: Symbol of the Park
Following this, the purple wisteria usually come into full bloom from late April to early May.
The sight of these purple wisteria blooming like a screen and reflecting on the surface of the water is breathtaking, especially during the illuminated night-time hours, creating a sense of mystical wonder.
During this season, visitors to Ashikaga Flower Park can also enjoy the Great Wisteria, which is the park’s symbol.
The Great Wisteria is over 150 years old and is notable for surviving a rare transplantation during the park’s relocation in Japan. It is designated as a natural monument of Tochigi Prefecture, and its trellis spreads over an area of approximately 1,000 square meters, leaving visitors in awe of its grandeur.
To take the best photos of the Great Wisteria, I suggest including its thick trunk in the frame and capturing the vines and flowers spreading over the trellis from a low angle. Additionally, I enjoyed viewing the vast surface near the west gate from the walking path above the pond.
Especially during the illuminated night-time hours, visitors will be captivated by the beautiful and dreamy beauty of the wisteria on the ground and its reflection on the water.
Other Fascinating Wisteria Varieties
Furthermore, the Wisteria Nutt, which looks like a cluster of grapes, also blooms during this time. Its shorter clusters and higher flower density make the purple color appear more intense, providing a beautiful photo opportunity.
The white wisteria is up next, and it usually reaches its peak in early May. However, depending on the weather, an early bloom may be possible.
The impressive 80-meter tunnel of white wisteria has been designated as a natural monument of Tochigi Prefecture. This particular variety is known for its sweet fragrance, and walking through the tunnel will leave a lasting impression on your trip to Japan.
Another area where white wisteria is planted in a waterfall-like pattern creates a stunning scene when illuminated and reflected on the water.
Yellow Wisteria: A Challenging Beauty
The yellow wisteria, the last to bloom, usually reaches its peak in mid-May. Like the white wisteria, it also forms a tunnel. However, this variety is challenging to cultivate in Japan, making the sight of blooming kibana wisteria even more special.
Best Time to Visit: Monitoring Flower Conditions
Because the flowering season can vary from year to year depending on the climate, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the daily condition of the flowers to know the best time to visit. At Ashikaga Flower Park, there are two helpful pages available in Japanese: one with staff diaries, and the other providing updates on the state of the flowers. I suggest using a browser with a translation feature to check it out.
Magical "Night Wisteria" Illumination
During the wisteria season, the entire park is illuminated at night, creating a magical “Night Wisteria” experience.
Unique Experiences: Enjoying Each Flower Park Separately
If you have the opportunity, be sure to enjoy each flower park separately. The different colors of wisteria blooming at different times of the day offer a unique experience both in daylight and at night.
Culture, History, and Traditions
Japanese people have had a deep connection with wisteria since ancient times, living in harmony with nature. Wisteria cultivation in gardens has been popular for over 1000 years, and it appears in “The Tale of Genji,” the world’s oldest novel, as an elegant and special flower.
Wisteria serves various purposes depending on its parts: the vine can be used as rope or tools, the flowers and leaves are edible, and the roots and seeds have medicinal properties. In Japan, the purple color of wisteria has traditionally been considered the highest-ranking color.
Wisteria’s popularity among the Japanese people led to the creation of wisteria trellises for viewing, such as those found at Ashikaga Flower Park, dating back to the Edo period.
Thus, wisteria, a beloved flower in Japan, is also featured in many place and thing names.
Dining Guide
It’s important to note that there are no restaurants near the park, and if you leave the premises, your entrance ticket will no longer be valid. So, make sure to stay inside the park during your visit. However, there are plenty of dining choices inside the park, including restaurants, cafes, and food stalls, so you can stay there all day without any worries.
Accommodation
Although there are no accommodations near Ashikaga Flower Park, you can find several hotels, inns, and lodgings available for booking in nearby areas such as JR Ashikaga Station or JR Sano Station, which are only one or two stops away.
Booking a room is easy using the internet, and prices range from around 8,000 to 15,000 yen per night, which is relatively reasonable.
Additionally, if you’re staying in Tokyo, it’s just a two-hour train ride away, making it a convenient day trip destination.
Transportation
Getting to Ashikaga Flower Park is most convenient by taking the JR trains. Once you arrive at Ashikaga Flower Park Station, the West Gate entrance is just a two-minute walk away.
If you’re traveling from Tokyo Station, you can take the Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen to Oyama Station and then transfer to the local Ryomo Line. This option will cost you around 5,000 yen for transportation.
Alternatively, you can opt for the Ueno-Tokyo Line on the local train and transfer at Oyama Station to the Ryomo Line. This will save you some money at around 2,000 yen for transportation, but the travel time will be about 30 minutes longer.
Budget and Transportation Tips
Admission Fee System: A Unique Approach
Ashikaga Flower Park has a unique admission fee system that fluctuates based on the condition of the flowers on a given day. Visitors can choose between a one-day pass or a night-only pass that is valid from 5:30 PM onward. During the wisteria season, both tickets are priced at around 1,500 to 2,000 yen.
Avoiding Long Queues: Purchase Tickets in Advance
As the park is quite popular, purchasing admission tickets on the day of your visit can be time-consuming. Consider buying tickets in advance online, if possible. You can purchase advance tickets for Ashikaga Flower Park on their official website. If you are proficient in Japanese, you can also purchase tickets at convenience stores like Lawson or Seven Eleven. However, this option can be complicated, as some Japanese-language-only websites may have limitations, and you may need to choose between in-store or online pickup options.
Save Money on Transportation: JR Discount Tickets
Furthermore, if you plan to travel to Ashikaga Flower Park by train, taking advantage of JR’s discount tickets can be a great way to save money.
Weather Guide
The Ashikaga Flower Park and the surrounding areas of Tochigi Prefecture offer a delightful climate during this time of the year, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius. Although mornings and evenings may still feel chilly, the sunny afternoons are perfect for wearing short sleeves, and the comfortable humidity makes it an enjoyable season to explore the park and its surroundings. To fully appreciate the illuminated wisteria, it’s best to bring a jacket or sweater in case it gets cooler.
