Four Seasons in Japan: wisteria festivals

wisteria-viewing spots:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/ashikawa/smile/fujiguide.html
wisteria festivals:
http://flower.enjoytokyo.jp/fuji/

Ashikaga Flower Park first comes to mind when I think of a wisteria viewing spot. Now is the best time to view purple and pale pink wisterias. About 145-year-old big wisteria is expected to peak soon.
I have posted another photos of the park's wisterias here before.

photo by syaraku

double-flowered wisteria

Japanese wisteria / Wisteria floribunda / 藤(フジ) by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) /flickr

Ashikaga Flower Park by jeeheon /flickr

RIMG2577 by honobon /flickr

Big wisteria of Kurogi in Yame-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture

It is said that an imperial prince himself planted the wisteria in 1395. The wisteria has been designated as a national natural treasure.

Photo by Yokaphoto.net

Shogun Wisteria in Fukuoka Prefecture at Onakatomi Jinja Shrine in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture

According to legend, an imperial prince prayed to cure his battle injury at the shrine in 1359, and he presented a wisteria to thank the deity for his full recovery. The tree is estimated to be 650 years old.

Photo by Yokaphoto.net

Daikozen-ji Temple(大興善寺) in Miyaki-gun, Saga Prefecture

The temple is famous for its azaleas.

IMG_2128 by gtknj /flickr

Wisteria of Ushijima, at Touka-en garden, Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture

The tree is designated as a Special National Treasure. The tree is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. It's expected to peak from April 25 to May 3.
According to legend, the Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi(774-835) himself planted the wisteria on the ground of a temple. Its owners changed several times after the temple was abolished in 1874. The garden maintains the tree now. The tree is open to the public for a fee only during flowering period.

Japanese wisteria / Wisteria floribunda / 藤(フジ) by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) /flickr

Over 1200 years old Japanese wisteria / Wisteria floribunda / 樹齢(じゅれい)1200年余(ねんよ)の藤(フジ) by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) /flickr

Japanese wisteria / Wisteria floribunda / 藤(フジ) by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) /flickr

Kameido Tenjin Shrine(亀戸天神) in Tokyo

The shrine has been well known as a wisteria viewing spot since the Edo Period. A wisteria festival is being held from April 20 to May 6.

Wisteria - Kameido, Tokyo by A.Davey /flickr

photo taken between January, 1914 and December, 1918

Kameido Tenjin by malfet_ /flickr

Wisteria by mrhayata /flickr

Kameido Tenjin Shrine by yendo0206 /flickr

IMG_6363 by y_uno /flickr

Kissho-ji Temple(吉祥寺) in Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture

The temple has a 150-year-old wisteria. A wisteria festival will be held from April 27 to 29.

IMG_5058-5D2 by gtknj /flickr

IMG_5078-5D2 by gtknj /flickr

IMG_5082-5D2 by gtknj /flickr

Tennogawa Park(天王川公園) in Tsushima city, Aichi Prefecture

The Owari Tsuhima Wisteria Festival(尾張津島藤まつり) will be held from April 25 to May 6. Tsushima was famous for its wisterias. The park has 114 trees of 12 different kinds.

wisteria trellis #6 by tsuda /flickr

wisteria trellis #9 by tsuda /flickr

wisteria trellis #2 by tsuda /flickr

Sumiyoshi Jinja Shrine(住吉神社) in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture

Harai no Fuji(祓除の藤, purifying wisteria)

When passing under the wisteria, people feel as if they were purified with onusa.
Onusa(nusa) is streamers (made of linen, paper, etc.) attached to a long pole and is used for purification at religious services of Shinto. It is waved left and right during purification rituals. Ancient people transferred their stains onto it by rubbing themselves with it and threw it in rivers.

photo by 神戸観光壁紙写真集

Sennen-fuji(千年藤, thousand-year-old wisteria) at Dazai Jinja Shrine(大歳神社) in Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture

It is said that the wisteria was planted in 960.