Because of the Yanagawa River Boat, the Town of Water, Yanagawa, has becomes well-known among international tourists in recent years. With just 50 minutes on train from Fukuoka‘s city center, you can enjoy Japan’s countryside vibe. What’s better is that Yanagawa is a good destination to admire seasonal flowers. In addition to the cherry blossoms in late March/early April, the city amazes its visitors with a couple more stunning views created by different flowers throughout the year.
Where to Find Seasonal Flowers in Yanagawa
- Nanatsue Umenoki Plum Blossom Street (七ツ家梅の木街道): mid-February and early March
- The Great Wisteria of Nakayama (中山の大藤): mid to late April
- Kabashima Iris Garden (椛島菖蒲園): mid-May to early June
- Yanagawa Sunflower Park (柳川ひまわり園): mid to late September
The fall foliage season in Yanagawa is from late November to early December.
Nanatsue Umenoki Plum Blossom Street (七ツ家梅の木街道)
If you visit Yanagawa between mid-February and early March, we highly recommend traveling out of the city center to Nanatsue Umenoki Plum Blossom Street. The 1-km promenade is lined with approximately 200 plum trees, which will be covered in light pink flowers. During the plum blossom season, the area is surrounded by the elegant fragrance of flowers. Apart from the benches under the plum trees, there is also a watermill that adds to the stunning view.
These plum trees also bear fruit. When the plums are ready to be harvested, they are also sold to the locals on the spot. While there is no guarantee that plum-picking is part of the event schedule, you may want to attend the event if you are in Yanagawa on the day.
- Nanatsue Umenoki Plum Blossom Street is a 20-minute drive from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (西鉄柳川駅).
- You can also take a bus from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station and get off at Nōgyō Sōko-mae (農業倉庫前). The street is then a 15-minute walk from the bus stop.
The Great Wisteria of Nakayama (中山の大藤)
Irises at the Kabashima Iris Garden by the canal are lovely, but how about wisteria? In Yanagawa, there is a wisteria that is over 300 years old. The vast tree overflows the 1,200-square-meter pergola on the grounds of Kumano Shrine (熊野神社) and stretches across the river! Every year from mid to late April, the flower clusters of 1.5 meters long form a light purple flower pavilion filled with flowers’ nice scent!
When the flowers are in full bloom, the Nakayama Wisteria Festival (中山大藤まつり) is held. It is a popular event that attracts 100,000 people every year. During the festival, the wisteria is illuminated at night, and temporary stalls are set up to entertain the guests.
Information About Nakayama Wisteria Festival
- Nakayama Wisteria Festival is held from 9 am to 9 pm.
- The admission fee to the festival is 100 yen per person.
During the festival, special shuttle buses connect Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (西鉄柳川駅) and JR Chikugo-Funagoya Station (筑後船小屋駅) with the Great Wisteria of Nakayama, making it easily accessible.
Tip: A free shuttle bus may run between the Great Wisteria of Nakayama and Kiyomizudera Peony Garden (清水山ぼたん園) for you to admire two different types of flowers in one day.
Kabashima Iris Garden (椛島菖蒲園)
Iris and wisteria are the flowers of Yanagawa City. If you plan to visit Fukuoka/Yanagawa from mid-May to early June, remember to check out the irises in Kabashima Iris Garden. In fact, if you take the Yanagawa River Cruise, the colorful irises can be seen from the traditional boat as it rocks along the canal.
The irises in the garden are carefully tended and grown by Kabashima-san. The number of flowers blooming is said to exceed 30,000 each year, with approximately 50 varieties. You can also walk to Kabashima Iris Garden and take photos with the flowers up close. Irises are also available for purchase.
Kabashima Iris Garden’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Kabashima Iris Garden is open from 9 am to 5 pm from mid-May to early June.
- The closest bus stop to the garden is Shiyakusho-mae (市役所前).
Yanagawa Sunflower Park (柳川ひまわり園)
Besides wisteria and iris, Yanagawa also has a sunflower field by the Ariake Sea shore. Over 500,000 sunflowers are planted across a 5-hectare reclaimed land, covering the landscape with yellow sunflowers from mid to late September. Unlike other sunflower fields in Japan, Yanagawa Sunflower Park is illuminated at night, providing you with a different impression of the sunflowers.
Because the sunflowers are tall, the park is almost like a maze for children! As you stroll through the sunflower field, remember to take some photos of the flowers from various angles. On the way home, grab a couple of products made with sunflower seeds and other sunflower-inspired merchandise (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Tip: It is better to visit Yanagawa Sunflower Park in the afternoon so can you get forelight when taking photos.
- Yanagawa Sunflower Park is open from 10 am to 8:30 pm from mid to late September.
- Nighttime illumination starts at sunset and lasts until 8:30 pm.
- Yanagawa Sunflower Park is scheduled to open from September 13 to 23 in 2025.
- Yanagawa Sunflower Park is a 15-minute drive from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (西鉄柳川駅).
- Special bus services usually operate between Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station and Yanagawa Sunflower Park.
Discover What to Do in Yanagawa
Among the destinations good for a day trip from Fukuoka‘s city center, Yanagawa is one of our favorites. The city, which flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, retains the atmosphere of old Japan. It is crisscrossed with a network of canals and is known as the Town of Water. Apart from taking a traditional boat and travelling down the 930-km canal, the city has several more charms awaiting you to discover.
For more information, refer to our article on Yanagawa!
