5 best places to see wisteria in and around Tokyo

Famous for its arched vermilion bridge, Kameido Tenjin Shrine is one of the best spots to see purple wisteria. The shrine’s wisteria festival runs from April 6 to 30 and features over 50 trees blooming simultaneously on a number of trellises centred around a little pond. Come evening, you can catch the beautiful blooms all lit up and enjoy their reflection on the water’s surface. Make sure to drop by the on-site food stalls to fuel up on typical festival fare like yakisoba noodles and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

This park near Tama River may be off the beaten track, but it’s worth heading out during wisteria season. Haijima Park is known for its 800-year-old wisteria tree that’s a designated Natural Monument of Tokyo. Growing on a large trellis, the wisteria usually starts blooming around the end of April until the beginning of May. Make sure to drop by the park’s Hiyoshi Shrine and pick up a goshuin seal stamp with a special wisteria motif.

For a more relaxed wisteria excursion, head to Tokyo’s Chofu area, where the huge Jindai Botanical Garden is home to a large selection of flowers. The end of April through to May sees about 50 wisteria plants of 13 different kinds in bloom. Head to the large 85m-long trellis that’s home to white and violet blossoms for a gorgeous, colourful sight.

Only 90 minutes from Tokyo Station, the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture is one of the top destinations in Japan for wisteria. About 350 wisteria of different colours bloom from April 13 to May 15, but keep an eye out for the 160-year-old tree, which features hundreds of purple wisteria blooms dangling from a massive grid of wooden trellises. Come nighttime, the huge, mature tree is lit up and its reflection on the water’s surface is stunning. You'll also find a variety of wisteria tunnels in the park, which make great photo spots. Don’t miss the park’s seasonal snacks and beverages, including unique wisteria sweets with a floral aroma.

This tranquil Japanese-style garden right next to Tokyo Dome boasts beautiful wisteria growing on a number of trellises. The purple blooms are surrounded by irises and together with the old-fashioned thatched-roof building in the background, it makes for perfect photo ops. The best views are expected during Golden Week at the beginning of May.