Kawachi Fujien, located in Kitakyushu City in northern Fukuoka Prefecture, is a famous wisteria viewing spot that attracts tourists from all over the world after it was selected as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan” by CNN (USA).
From late April to mid-May (depending on the weather that year), when the wisteria is at its best, approximately 22 varieties of wisteria flowers bloom in an area of 3,000 tsubo (approximately 1,000 square meters).
The large wisteria trellis, covering an area of about 1,000 tsubo (about 1,000 square meters), with Nodacho wisteria (the name of the wisteria variety) in full bloom, is a sight to behold.
The main attraction is the two types of wisteria flower tunnels, one 80 m long and the other 110 m long. The glossy gradation of colorful clusters of light purple, white, pink, and other colors in the tunnels is mesmerizing. Visitors can enjoy wisteria in many ways, walking along the tunnel while admiring the beauty of wisteria flowers spreading above their heads and being soothed by the fragrance of wisteria flowers wafting through the park.
Also, from mid-November to early December (depending on the weather that year), about 700 maple trees are in full bloom, some 18 of which are over 70 years old.
The maple tunnel is on a steep slope, so please wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers.
Kawauchi Wisteria Garden opened in April 1977.
The history of Kawauchi Toen began with the dream of its founder, Masao Higuchi, who was inspired by a book he read as a schoolboy, which made him think, “I want to leave something to prove that I lived in this world.”
After the war, Masao devoted himself to protecting his family and working hard, but when began to settle down, the dream he had as a young boy came back to him. He decided that he wanted to plant beautiful wisteria in this wooded mountain and create a wisteria garden that everyone could come and see. Masao’s dream of leaving “proof of his life” was passed down through his family lineage.
The sound of bulldozer’s engine echoes through the quiet mountains, and the work was difficult due to the hard and rocky soil. The work was tedious as they had to collect the rocks and haul them away with a wheelbarrow. Nevertheless, after several years, the work of shaping the mountain slope was completed, and a large isteria trellis and tunnel of about 1,000 tsubo was completed.
The first tree planted in the Kawauchi Wisteria Garden was a wisteria transplanted from Kawauchi Village, which had sunk to the bottom of the lake when the Kawauchi Reservoir was constructed. It has been carefully nurtured until now.
Fifty years have passed since the land was cultivated. The tree that started the Kawachi Wisteria Garden has grown to over 120 years old and produces beautiful clusters of flowers every year. Please take your time to enjoy this wisteria whcih has been nurtured with deep and loving care.
The opening time of the wisteria garden changes every year, and tickets must be reserved during the applicable period.
Approximately 1.5 hours drive from Fukuoka City (200 free parking spaces available)
From Hakata Station, take a train and bus, and after getting off the bus, walk for about 16 minutes, totaling about 2.5 hours.

Kawachi Wisteria Garden
Location: 2-2-48 Kawachi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka 805-0045
Telephone number: 093-652-0334
(Wisteria) Open: Late April – early May, hours: 8:00 – 18:00
(Autumn foliage)Open: mid-November to early December, hours: 9:00 – 17:00
https://kawachi-fujien.com/

Cover photograph provided by 福岡県観光連盟