After a 5am start, 2 lattes, a short nap & an hour on the bullet train we arrived in Kokura, Kitakyushu. Undoubtedly you have seen a beautiful fairytale like photograph of ‘Wisteria Tunnel’ doing the rounds on Facebook. When we first booked our trip to Japan I was thrilled to find out that our dates coincided with the flowering of the Wisteria and I insisted on making the trip to Kitakyushu to see the sea of flowers with my own eyes. What a dreamy spot; the flowers swaying in the breeze, the delightful scent floating through the air & the giant bumble bees buzzing around. Like most places in Japan, pictures really do it no justice.
Wisteria tunnel is a little tricky to get to, but not impossible and yes it does truly exist (contrary to what some travel forums may say). From Kokura station take the JR line to Yahata Station. The easiest way to get to the garden is to take a 20 minute taxi ride (around 2,800 yen) to Kawachi Fuji Garden. Alternatively if you can, catch the Ajisai-no-yu Onsen shuttle bus (0 yen) and walk the 2 minutes to the garden. Entry into Kawachi Fuji Garden varies, I have been told it fluctuates based on how stunning the blooms are. We paid 650 yen to enter. Wisteria blooming times vary each year but it is advised to visit from late April to mid May.
Love & light,
