Kawachi Wisteria Garden

This private garden is open twice a year: during spring when the wisteria blooms, and during fall when the foliage changes color. Some travelers opt for private half- or full-day guided tours that also visit a shortlist of other local ​​highlights. A visit to the garden is also a popular day trip from Fukuoka or Yamaguchi. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the peak spring season due to the large visitor numbers.

• There aren’t any restrooms inside the garden—only at the entrance of the parking lot.

• There isn’t an on-site cafe, so it’s advisable to eat before or after your visit.

• Please take any trash home with you after visiting.

• To protect the trees, please don’t touch their roots.

• Drones, tripods, and monopods are prohibited.

The park can be a little tricky to get to by public transport, and the easiest mode of transport is driving there. If traveling by public transport, the nearest stop is the JR Yahata station. From here, shuttle buses run to the garden in the peak season, or you can get the Nishitetsu bus #56 from JR Yahata station to Kamishigeta. It’s then around a 45-minute walk to the garden.

The garden has seasonal opening hours. The best time to visit is during “wisteria season” from late April to early May. Alternatively, you could visit during fall from November to early December when the leaves change color. The garden gets very busy, so it’s advisable to arrive earlier in the morning to avoid peak afternoon crowds.

It’s tricky to tell exactly when wisteria flowers will bloom. Usually, they bloom in concordance with Japan’s world-renowned cherry blossoms, but it depends on weather conditions and how much direct sunlight the buds have seen—late-April to early May is a good guess. Once the flowers bloom, they’re at their best for around a week. Admission prices may fluctuate depending on how close the trees are to flowering.