The Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, Japan, is home to the “most beautiful wisteria tree in the world.”
When in full bloom, the massive tree measures an impressive 1,990 square meters and casts a purplish-pink shadow on its surroundings. Its vertical flowers dangle so low that they almost touch the ground.
In Japan, the wisteria, also known as Fuji, is one of the most popular spring flowers. It represents love and beauty to the Japanese. It also represents victory and immortality.
Millions of tourists visit Japan each spring to see the stunning sakura flower trees and wisteria trees.
The main attraction of Ashikaga Park is the “Great Miracle Wisteria,” which looks so majestic that it’s almost hard to believe it’s been there for nearly 150 years. It is also thought to be Japan’s oldest living wisteria.
It is the largest in the country, but not the largest in the world, which is held by a wisteria tree in Sierra Madre, California, which measures approximately 4,000 square meters. Although they are referred to as “trees” and can resemble them, wisterias are actually vines.
Because they can become quite heavy, caretakers constructed beams to support the weight of its branches and keep it upright. This arrangement created a lovely flower umbrella that dangles and sways in the wind. Visitors can walk beneath the canopy of overhanging vines and enjoy the pinkish-purple light cast by its blooms.
If they stand underneath it and look up, they shall be treated to a view of a pink flower sky. With its ethereal vibe, it’s no surprise that it has become the favorite subject of landscape photographers around the world.
The Ashikaga Flower Park, which spans 23 acres, is one of Japan’s most popular flower parks. Its surroundings are home to 350 different varieties of wisteria trees as well as other flowering plants.
These vines bear flowers in a variety of colors, including purple, blue, white, pink, and yellow. When they’re in full bloom, the entire park transforms into an enchanting and colorful paradise awash in a rainbow of colors.
The magnificent trees in the park are lit up during the Great Wisteria Festival, which is held from April to May. In 2016, Ashikaga park was named the most beautiful night view in Japan.
Wisteria gardens are scattered around the country. Some of the most beautiful ones are at Kawachi Fuji Gardens and in Kitakyushu. The latter features flower tunnels spanning 330 square feet that visitors can walk through.
The best time to see the Ashikaga wisteria is from mid-April to mid-May, as springtime is the season when it’s in full bloom. During this time, it produces fragrant purple blossoms that fill the park’s environment.
However, the park has been temporarily closed since April 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will remain so until further notice, according to an announcement from the Ashikaga Flower Park website.
The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but these hours are extended during the peak blooming months. Visitors can get there within two hours from central Tokyo via public transportation.
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Oyama. Board the Ryomo Line going west to Tomita Station. From there, walking to the park will take 5 to 10 minutes.
It’s especially crowded during the festival, so it’s recommended that guests get there early in the morning to avoid the rush.