Ashikaga Flower Park あしかがフラワーパーク

Japan may be best known for its cherry blossoms, but Ashikaga Flower Park is famous for its fuji or wisteria flowers. The wisteria are grown on overhead frames so the blossoms hang overhead like wisteria stalactites. Beautiful by day, they are also illuminated by night.

The best way to access the park is to take the JR Ryomo Line to Ashikaga Flower Park Station. It is about a 3-minute walk from the station.

You can take a train from Tokyo on the Tobu Isesaki Line, starting at Asakusa Station, or the JR Tohoku Main Line starting at Ueno Station. Travelers can ride local trains to Sano Station, then board the Ryomo Line heading west to Ashikaga Flower Park. From there, it's about a 3-minute walk to the park.

Direct limited express trains are available to Ashikagashi Station, and you can walk to Ashikaga Station and board the Ryomo Line heading in the opposite direction.

Note: A free shuttle bus runs between Ashikaga Station and the park during the spring.

April in Japan is a time of renewal: students start a new school year, graduates begin jobs, and cherry blossoms display their pink flowers for one short week before floating away. With many Japanese already in the mood for hanami—flower viewing parties, it should come as no surprise that many come out in droves to see the wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park starting in May.

However, it's not just wisteria that makes this park so famous. In winter the park's ornate displays are augmented with massive light shows, making it a pleasant romantic getaway. During other seasons, roses, tulips, tropical water lilies and many other blooms color the landscape.

Japan is famous for its variety of street food, particularly in the summer when festivals are ubiquitous. The most popular menu item is the wisteria-flavored soft serve ice cream.

If you need gifts to bring back home, you'll find no shortage of shops and stores offering accessories, clothes and unusual souvenirs.