When talking about flowers from the Land of the Rising Sun, cherry blossoms are definitely on the must-see list when traveling to Japan. It's not without reason, these flowers offer stunning beauty, especially when they're in full bloom. Pink blossoms bloom in every corner of Japanese cities.
Not only cherry blossoms, Japan is also home to another type of flower that is just as beautiful. It's called wisteria, the stunning purple blossoms with captivating charm. Have you ever seen wisteria flowers? If not, let's find out more about it in the following article!
With the scientific name Wisteria floribunda, wisteria, also known as the "Fuji flower," is an ornamental plant native to Japan. Unlike cherry blossoms, wisteria flowers usually grow as vines. This flower is known for its purple color, but it also comes in other stunning colors like blue, pink and white.
Wisteria is a seed-bearing plant with poisonous seeds, making them unsafe for consumption. This flower uniquely produces fruits resembling peas with fuzzy or velvety skin. Even more interesting, this flower comes in several varieties, including:
Wisteria sinensis: It has very dense leaves and its flowers can grow up to 30 meters long.
Wisteria × formosa: A hybrid of W. sinensis and W. floribunda, resulting in pink or purple flowers.
Wisteria frutescens : This blue variety is the smallest in size compared to other varieties. It can survive in -15° C weather.
Wisteria floribunda: Native to Japan, this variety is larger than other varieties and comes in several colors, including white, purple and blue.
This stunning flower frequently appears in literature, art, paintings and theater productions. In the past, this flower appeared in Kojiki, a book containing traditions, genealogies, hymns, legends and myths, released in 712 CE. This flower was used to comfort Goddess Izushi Otome, who was about to be proposed to by a man.
Not only that, this flower also appears in various paintings throughout history, including The Tale of Genji. The Wisteria flower is believed to bring good luck and protect against misfortune. For example, the Oni spirit from Kunisaki, Kyushu, Japan, is believed to lose its strength when wisteria is tied to its body.
There are several locations you can visit to experience the beauty of wisteria in Japan. Where are they? Check it out here!
One of the best locations to experience the beauty of wisteria is the Ashikaga Flower Park. Located in Tochigi Prefecture, this park showcases thousands of flowers blooming year-round, including wisteria. To witness its beauty, you can visit this park in May.
Usually, wisteria blooms in this park around that month. You can witness wisteria in multiple colors with a breathtaking view when in full bloom. Enjoy the flowers and experience the Fuji no hana Monogatari Festival here.
You can take the JR Ryomo Line and get off at the Ashikaga Flower Park Station to reach this place. You can take a 3-minute walk from the station to the flower park. If you want to see other flowers in bloom, you can visit the park again during their respective season.
You can also experience the beauty of wisteria at Kawachi Wisteria Garden, established in 1977. This park preserves 150 wisteria plants and features 22 different varieties. It also has 80-meter and 220-meter tunnels, adding to the garden's beauty.
Typically, this garden is only open during specific seasons, fall and spring. In the fall, you can enjoy the view of stunning maple leaves, while in the spring, you can enjoy the beauty of wisteria. However, the garden is not advertised to help preserve the flowers.
You can reach this garden using various transportation options, including trains. You can take a train to Yahata Station, then take a bus to Kamishigeta, and take a walk from the bus stop to the garden.
Want to enjoy wisteria with a countryside vibe? In that case, Shirai Omachi Fuji Park is the place to go. This park is situated on mountain slopes, right on the border between Kyoto and Hyogo. This park features ponds, windmills and other elements that enhance its beautiful countryside view.
The flowers in this park usually bloom from April to mid-May. Several types of flowers that usually bloom include red, purple, white wisteria, and others. In fact, this place also hosts a night festival illuminated by lights, making the atmosphere even more festive.
To reach the park, you can take Wadayama IC, head north via National Route 312, and continue straight at the Ipponyanagi intersection. From here, turn right at the traffic light near Wadayama Junior High School or near Fujikko, then turn left at the farthest traffic light. Follow the road for about 2 kilometers, turn right at the next traffic light, then continue until you reach the park.
Ready to explore the enchanting wisteria blooms in Japan? Plan your visit during the blooming season! To ensure that your journey is safe, protect yourself with Travel Insurance Online from MSIG Indonesia. This insurance keeps you protected from the moment you depart until you return home.
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