The Kawachi Wisteria Garden (河 内藤 園, Kawachi Fuji-en) is a private garden in the wooded hills south of the city of Kitakyushu (Fukuoka) famous for its large number of wisteria presented in a spectacular way.
The garden is open to the public. During the spring, the wisteria show all their beauty, usually with the peak of flowering between the end of April to mid-May, and during the fall season, the shades of red and yellow take over.
The most notable highlights of the garden are two long tunnels 100 meters long made of wisteria of different varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark lilac.
In addition, there is a collection of wisteria trees that together form a large ceiling of hanging flowers. An observation area in the garden that sits atop the hill offers visitors beautiful views of the sea of flowers and the surrounding valley which is also known for its bamboo grove.
This garden has become very well known in recent years and now attracts a huge influx of tourists, both from Japan and abroad, during the wisteria season, which usually falls on the busy Golden Week holiday. As a result the garden can get very crowded and access to it can take time.
See the beauty of the place and more descriptions below the video:
Important warning:
During peak season, from April 20 to May 6, 2019, tickets for specific dates and times must be purchased in advance to gain access to the garden. Visitors without advance reservations will not be able to enter the premises.
Tickets can be purchased online (in English) through Japanican. Tap the links to open them:
- For entry between 8h and 10h30
- For entrance between 10h30 and 13h
- For entry between 1pm and 3pm
- For entrance between 3pm and 6pm
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased through automated machines at the 7-Eleven and FamilyMart convenience stores as of March 16, 2019, however, the instructions are Japanese only.
The Fuji-en Kawachi gets very crowded because of its popularity. In particular, traffic congestion is causing major problems in the area surrounding the garden during peak season.
Kawachi Fuji-en
- Garden hours are from 8am to 6pm during the wisteria season (mid-April to mid-May) and fall season (mid-November to early December).
- The ticket price varies from 500 to 1,500 yen depending on the season.
- Outside the peak season, tickets can be purchased on site
- Website for information: Kawachi Fuji-en (in Japanese)
Access by public transport:
During high season (April 20 to May 6, 2019), a circular bus operates between JR Yahata Station and Kawachi Fuji-en. On busy days, the bus may be affected by congestion in traffic.
Another alternative of public transportation is the bus Nishitetsu number 56 which operates once an hour between the station from Yahata to Kamishigeta (上 重 田) the final stop along the line (20 minutes, 260 yen one way). However, the final stop is well away from the garden and you still need to walk for about 45 to 55 minutes to the venue.
Access by car:
There are about 200 free parking spaces near the garden entrance and in a bathroom, Ajisai no yu, which can also be used by visitors.
The capacity of the parking lots is usually sufficient on weekdays, but it is not during the national weekends and holidays in the flowering season.
See the location of Kawachi Fuji-en on the map, touch here to open
Source: Japan Guide
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