THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
April 20, 2024 at 14:41 JST
Tourists under the gorgeous canopy of Japanese wisteria at Kurogi in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, on April 19 (Masaru Komiyaji)
Hysteria over Japanese wisteria might be overstating things, but flowering trees in Fukuoka estimated to be around 630 years old that have national natural treasure status are now in full bloom and drawing appreciative crowds in Fukuoka Prefecture.
The “Kurogi no Fuji” in the Kurogicho district of Yame will be at their best until around April 22 or 23, according to the city government.
The trees stand on a 3,000-square-meter wisteria trellis at Susanoo Shrine, where many other plants are also in bloom.
Last year, the annual “Yame Kurogi Wisteria Festival” to celebrate the burst of color was held for the first time in four years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and about 100,000 people attended.
“This year, the number of visitors is much higher than last year,” said a city official. “I think things are getting back to normal.”
The festival features a product exhibition as well as hot-tea refreshments and nighttime lighting. It will run until April 30.
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