Spring is the most magical time of year to be in Japan. It's not only because of the country's world-famous cherry blossoms, but also the annual Great Wisteria Festival, an enchanting display that's not to be missed.

Ashikaga Flower Park in Japan's Tochigi prefecture, just 2 hours from Tokyo Station by train, is the host of the festival, and boasts over 350 wisteria trees that fill the park with dazzling colours year after year. Visitors can also walk through an 80 metre-long tunnel covered by unique white wisteria flowers. The wisteria floribunda tree is native to Japan, and some of the trees in Ashikaga are more than 150 years old, making them a landmark of Japanese natural heritage.

The Great Wisteria Festival of 2017 is set to start on April 15, and will last until late May. Ashikaga Flower Park was previously listed as one of CNN's "dream destinations for 2014," with one travel writer remarking that the wisteria trees looked "nearly identical to Avatar's spiritual Tree of Souls." If you can't afford inter-dimensional travel, then a trip to Tochigi just might do the trick.

More info: Ashikaga Flower Park

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y-fu Report

varwenea
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The strength of the tree trunk is such a perfect contrast against the dreamy petals.

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Nicole Rosandich
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would think you would find out really fast if you are allergic

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Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think these pictures are more dramatic than the cherry trees in bloom

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photohito Report

varwenea
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to stay under them and bask in their beauty for hours.

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Mamiko Irie Report

BoredBunny
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no words, again I am struck with speechlessness.

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Yukihito Ono Report

Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chinese wisteria has a lovely sweet smell. American wisteria has a somewhat unpleasant smell. Remember, wisteria forms tons of runners that can overtake an area.

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Meowoui
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of these look like crystals.

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Uni N
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how stunning heaven for Instagramers kk

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ioannis Utzo
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there's a reason to live for ,to see this beauty!

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Meowoui
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm running out of words for these beauties.

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Meowoui
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forest of wonderful smells.

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