Photo from t_watanabe by Pixabay
From the end of April to the beginning of May, we can enjoy the beauty and the natural aroma of wisteria in Japan.
Wisteria has been loved so much from over 1,000 years ago, and people in the past read poems about it, which are preserved in the Manyoshu.
Manyoshu is a book collected Japanese classical poems.
So that some shrine, temple, and park has wisteria trees or shelves.
Among the many places for wisteria, I selected 5 places as below.
1. Kameido Tenjin shrine
It was one of the most famous places for wisteria and this season many people visited.
Wisteria flowers around the pond are so beautiful and sprinkling the scent too.
The contras of red bridges on the pond and purple and white flowers are so beautiful.
Access: 15mins. walk from the north exit of Kameido station on JR Sobu line or Kinshicho station on JR Sobu and Hanzomon line.
Open: 8am to 17pm
Site: http://kameidotenjin.or.jp/
2. Jindai park (Jindai Shokubutsu Koen)
Jindai park is a huge area on the west side of Tokyo.
There are not only wisteria but also some specialized places in cherry, plum, camellia, rose, azalea, water lily, oak trees, and so on.
Wisteria has already begun to bloom but we have to check if the park would open before visiting.
Access: From Mitaka or Kihijoji station on JR Chuo line, take an Odakyu bus for Chofu station north exit or Jindaiji and get down at “Jindai Shokubutsu Koen” stop.
Open: 9am to 17pm
Temporary this park is closed. Please check if it opens beforehand.
Site: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/jindai/index.html
3. Kyushibarikyu Oishi Teien
It is a historical garden established in the Edo era. It has some ponds for promenade and the stones and gardens are planned around the ponds.
Wisteria, cherry, Iris, and bellflowers are decorated in this garden.
Near the entrance, there is a wisteria table.
Access: 1min. Walk from north exit of Hamamatsucho station on JR Yamanote or Keihin Tohoku line. Or 3min. Walk from Daimon station on Oedo or Asakusa line.
Open: 9am to 17pm (Enter at 16:30pm)
Fee: 150yen
Temporary this park is closed. Please check if it opens beforehand.
Site: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index029.html
4. Kokuryo shrine
This shrine is in Chofu city, west side of Tokyo. It has a big and old wisteria tree, which is called “Thousand years wisteria”. This tree might be 4~500years old. From this tree, a lot of branches are spread out around 400m2
Access: 5min. Walk from Fuda station on Keio line.
Open: 9am to 17pm
Site: https://kokuryo-jinja.jp/
5. Ashikaga flower Park
This park is situated more than 1 hour by train from Tokyo. However, it is the largest park for wisteria and has been already well known over the world.
In the park, wisterias are planted more than 1,000m2 and we can enjoy pink, purple and white wisterias.
The wisteria decorations are very various from a big wisteria tree having spread branches over 600 tatami sheets, some wisteria tunnels, or a big wisteria screen.
Access: 3min. Walk from Ashikaga flower park station on JR Ryomo line.
Open: 9am to 17pm
Fee: 700~1,900yen/adult and 200~400yen/under 12y.o.
Site: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp
