Fuji is not only the name of the famous volcanic mountain in Japan; it is also the name of the flower known as Wisteria.
One of the best places to view Fuji flowers is at the Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. Ashikaga Flower Park features a lot of blue, white, yellow, and pink Fuji flowers. One large Fuji tree is 100 years old and its branches are supported to create a huge umbrella of Fuji flowers. There is also a long tunnel of white Fuji flowers. Besides the Fuji, you can find a great variety of other flowers, cafes, and shops selling plants, sweets, and local products.
The Fuji flowers in Ashikaga Flower Park are usually in full bloom at the end of April through the beginning of May. I visited the park on May 7th and ended up spending my entire day there. In the evening, Fuji trees and tunnels were illuminated and it was felt like a living miracle!
To get to Ashikaga Flower Park, take the JR Utsunomiya Line, JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Tokyo to Oyama, and then transfer to the JR Ryomo Line. Get off at Tomita Station, one station before Ashikaga Station, from where it is a 15-minute walk to the park. The one-way ride takes about two hours and 2000 yen by regular trains. The fee to enter will range from 300 to 1700 yen depending on season.
Ashikaga Flower Park Address: 607 Hasama-cho, Ashikaga city, Tochigi Prefecture 329-4216
Tel. 0284-91-4939; Fax. 0284-91-4587
