Seasonal Adjustment (Wisteria Season)
From mid–late April to early May, the itinerary will visit Kawachi Wisteria Garden instead of Miyajidake Shrine.
Applicable dates: Apr 18–26 and Apr 28–May 6.
Kawachi Wisteria Garden Highlights
1️⃣ Dreamlike Wisteria Tunnels
Two famous wisteria tunnels (about 80 m and 110 m long) create a magical experience as cascading flowers hang overhead, forming a breathtaking purple floral corridor.
2️⃣ Giant Wisteria Canopy
When the large trellises bloom, thousands of flowers create a stunning ceiling of blossoms, offering spectacular views and perfect photo opportunities.
3️⃣ One of Japan’s Most Beautiful Places
With wisteria in shades of purple, pink, white, and deep violet, the garden features rich layers of colour. Since being selected by CNN as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan,” it has become one of the most sought-after flower-viewing spots during peak bloom season.
Begin your journey with a convenient pickup from the Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Hakata Station. Head to the Mojiko Retro District, a historic area that was once a bustling international trade port. Stroll through streets lined with buildings from the Meiji to early Showa periods, and soak in the nostalgic atmosphere.
Visit Kaikyo Plaza, a lively seaside shopping and dining complex with local speciality shops and restaurants overlooking the beautiful Kanmon Strait. Stop by the Mojiko Retro Observation & Souvenir Hall (Minato-ya), a marketplace offering regional specialities and seafood from the Kanmon Strait.
Relax in stylish Western-style buildings such as Café Matière (Old Osaka Shosen Building), Mooon de Retro (Old Moji Customs Building), or Mitsui Club (Old Moji Mitsui Club).
Next, head to Kokura Castle, originally built in 1602 by Hosokawa Tadaoki. Explore the castle grounds and admire its distinctive Chinese-style gables. Visit the nearby Yasaka Shrine, dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and the Kokura Castle Garden, a restored Edo-period daimyo residence and strolling garden.
End your tour at Miyajidake Shrine, the head shrine of all Miyajidake Shrines in Japan. Founded about 1,700 years ago and dedicated to Empress Jingū, this shrine is famous for its Path of Light (Hikari no Michi), where the sunset aligns perfectly with the shrine’s approach, creating a breathtaking golden pathway.
