【2026】Wisteria and azalea spots in Fukuoka

The colorful flowers will surely make your trip even more vivid and memorable. Here are some wisteria and azalea spots in Fukuoka Prefecture. Why not spend a relaxing time surrounded by the sweet fragrance of spring?

Wisteria viewing spots

Kawachi Wisteria Garden (Kitakyushu City)

Kawachi Wisteria Garden offers a spectacular view of the wisteria tunnel and large wisteria trellis, which has been called the most beautiful wisteria trellis in Japan. Every year from mid-April to mid-May, 22 varieties of wisteria flowers with beautiful light colors bloom in full glory. The view is as if you are in a dream.

*To reduce congestion, visitors without a reserved convenience store ticket will not be allowed to enter the park during the ticket period. (Please refer to the official website for the schedule in 2026 and how to purchase tickets.)

Nakayama Grand Wisteria (Yanagawa City)

There is a famous 300-year-old tree, designated as a natural monument by Fukuoka Prefecture, which is carefully nurtured by the local preservation society. The best time to view the trees is usually from mid to late April. The “Nakayama Grand Wisteria Festival” is held from mid to late April, attracting many people who come to see the wisteria blossoms at first sight.

Buzoji Temple and Tenpai Park (Chikushino City)

The oldest temple in Kyushu, said to have been built in the Asuka period (710-794), has a magnificent 1,300-year-old wisteria tree called “Choja no Fuji", The superior's wisteria. The wisteria is usually at its best from mid-April to early May, and a wisteria festival is held at the end of April, during which sake is poured at the base of the wisteria under the wisteria trellis as a prayer.

Jozenji Temple and Tenpai Park (Chikushino City)

Commonly called “Wisteria Temple,” the large wisteria in the precincts of Jozenji Temple is at its best from late April to early May. The Wisteria Festival, usually held on April 29, features a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) performance to pray for the longevity of the wisteria and its full bloom.

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Large wisteria at Kamitakaba (Wisteria Village Park) (Chikuzen machi)

Located on the grounds of the Kamitakaba Grand Shrine, this magnificent giant wisteria has a root, circumference of 2.7 meters, and is over 100 years old. It is usually at its best from late April to early May.

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Wisteria at Kisshoji Temple (Kitakyushu)

Usually from mid-April to late April, the wisteria trellises in the precincts of Kichijoji Temple are filled with beautiful wisteria blossoms such as Shinoda wisteria, white wisteria, red wisteria, and Fuchibeni wisteria.

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Yame Kurogi Grand Wisteria Festival (Yame City)

Located within the grounds of Onakatomi Shrine—famous for its impressive two-story gate that blends traditional Japanese (Wayō) and Chinese (Karayō) architectural styles—this wisteria tree is estimated to be around 660 years old.

During the “Shogun Wisteria Festival,” the wisteria trellis—standing about 2 meters high and covering an area of approximately 500 square meters—is beautifully illuminated at night, creating a magical and dreamlike atmosphere.

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Onakatomi Shrine (Ogori City)

Located within the grounds of Onakatomi Shrine—famous for its impressive two-story gate that blends traditional Japanese (Wayō) and Chinese (Karayō) architectural styles—this wisteria tree is estimated to be around 660 years old.

During the “Shogun Wisteria Festival,” the wisteria trellis—standing about 2 meters high and covering an area of approximately 500 square meters—is beautifully illuminated at night, creating a magical and dreamlike atmosphere.
Jokoji Temple Wisteria Festival (Munakata City)

Within the temple grounds stand three wisteria trees that are over 100 years old. Their clusters cascade down from a trellis measuring approximately 19 meters east to west and 18 meters north to south, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

Every year, from mid to late April—when the flowers are at their best—the Jokoji Temple Wisteria Festival is held, attracting many visitors.

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Recommended spots for azalea viewing

Kurume Forest Tsutsuji Park (Kurume City)

The rich natural environment makes it a popular sightseeing spot for trekking and Kyushu olle. In spring, it is a famous azalea viewing spot with 61,000 azalea plants of 100 species, including Kurume azalea and hirado azalea. The view overlooking the Chikugo Plain is also spectacular.

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Birthplace of Kurume azalea

Kurume City is the birthplace of the Kurume azalea, known worldwide as Kurume Azalea.
At the Kurume World Azalea Center, visitors can view 21,000 azaleas of about 1,600 varieties collected from 15 countries and regions around the world.

Sarayama Park (Sue-machi, Kasuya-gun)

Around mid-April to late April every year, 30,000 azaleas burst into bloom throughout the park. Since it's a park spreading out at the foot of Mt. Wakasugi, the view is also outstanding! You can see as far as Shikanoshima Island, Hakata Bay, and the Itoshima Peninsula in the distance, making it a park where you can enjoy the scenery along with the azaleas.

Hofukujiyama Azalea Park (Buzen City)

Usually from late April to early May, the entire park is covered with approximately 3,000 azaleas, mainly Yodogawa azalea and Kirishima azalea. The colorful appearance of the azaleas is spectacular! The azalea festival is usually held during the season, and the faintly lit paper lanterns create a tasteful atmosphere.

Kurume Hyakunen Park (Kurume City)

This spacious park borders the bank of the Takara River and the Chikugo River. With a lawn and an event plaza, it is a place for relaxation and recreation. About 120,000 azaleas, including old azalea trees sent from Wadomari Town, Kagoshima Prefecture and Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, are planted in the park, and the best time to view them is usually from mid-April to early May.

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Amagi Park (Asakura City)

This park offers beautiful natural scenery that can be enjoyed throughout all four seasons. From late April to early May, around 500 azalea bushes—including Hirado azaleas, Kurume azaleas, and satsuki—burst into full bloom across the park, creating a truly and colorful display.

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Ukidake Kokajuen Garden (Itoshima City)

Set on a vast 33,000 m² (approximately 10,000 tsubo) property, this garden is home to over 5,000 azalea bushes in full bloom. Among them, the deep-crimson Hon-Kirishima azalea—said to be over 400 years old—is especially breathtaking.

During the peak blooming season, the Itoshima Ukidake Azalea Festival is also held, attracting many visitors.
Kurume Azalea Center (Kurume City)

This center displays approximately 21,000 azalea plants of 1,600 varieties collected from 15 countries and regions around the world, with the world-famous Kurume azalea being a central focus.
Every spring, a special opening is held to coincide with the blooming season of the Kurume azaleas, allowing visitors to fully appreciate their beauty.
Kurume Azalea Festival (Kurume City)

Often regarded as one of Japan’s three major plant markets, the Kurume Azalea Festival is a lively event where Kurume azaleas and other flowers, as well as bonsai, brought in directly from growers are sold.

In addition to plant sales, visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including model garden displays, a large lottery event, and a stamp rally—making it a fun-filled festival with plenty to experience.

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