Anyone who has visited Japan during hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season will definitely agree –  they’ve got some really gorgeous flowers over there. But Japan’s not all sakura, you know! In fact, there’s a veritable cornucopia of beautiful blooms to appreciate at different times of the year. If you’re too impatient for the springtime sakura, you can get a head start by checking out the plum blossoms that start to peek out during the tail-end of winter. And if you’re still not satisfied after feasting your eyes on the sakura itself (or feasting on snacks during hanami, as the case may be), why not plan a summer visit to the “Wisteria Tunnel” located in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture?

The Kawachi Fuji Gardens is host to a tunnel of wisteria plants which form a dazzling canopy underneath which visitors can wander at their leisure. Wisteria, known as fuji in Japanese (not the same fuji as in Mount Fuji, however) is formed of many vines which intertwine themselves around any available means of support. Look closely and you can spot the framework which forms the skeleton of the tunnel. It’s a perfect example of nature and man-made construction combining to create a super-pretty tourist attraction that’s helping to put the city of Kitakyushu on the tourist map.

▼ Say chiizu! The wisteria tunnel is the perfect place for budding photographers

▼The fallen petals provide a soft carpet to stroll upon

▼ Sunlight filtering through the blossoms

▼ Check out that color palette!

▼ If you’re looking for a killer “first date” spot, you’ve found it!

▼A wisteria tree – check out the gnarled trunk!

If you’re interested in checking out the Wisteria Tunnel during your next visit to Fukuoka, we hear that May is the best time to catch the blossoms in full bloom. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Source: Naver Matome
Featured Image: Iidakosan at blogs.yahoo.co.jp
Other images: Wondertrip 1, 2, 3, Blogspot 4 Mindphoto.blog 5, 6