What other travelers are saying about Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park is sublime and I didn’t even visit during wisteria season. I only saw the main wisteria tree in its barren form, but due to its great size and outstretched vines, I just know it is an amazing sight when it is in full bloom. Even without wisteria, the other flower arrangements are gorgeous.
I got to try wisteria ice cream, which was such a pretty purple. The taste was rather mild, but unique.
I loved the gift shop. So much purple! It was a sight for sore eyes for a purple fiend like myself. There were so many different types of omiyage—many non-purple products, too—that I probably spent as much time browsing in the shop as I did the flower park.
I had a great time and would absolutely love to visit again when the wisteria bloom.
My wife and I visited at the beginning of April, at the peak of cherry blossom season. We knew full well that we were effectively visiting out of season for the park, so our expectations were measured but it was fantastic. They did a great job of making up for the lack of wisteria with beautiful, vibrant displays of pansies and tulips. It's definitely worth visiting at this time of year. We will be sure to return for the wisteria at some point though, because just looking at all the bare wisteria trees tells you how amazing it would be.
There are a selection of restaurants on site, including a diner style option (where you can get wisteria flavoured ice cream - quite subtle, not overly floral) and more "sit down" style ones that serve things like Japanese curry.
Toilets are plentiful and the whole park appears to be wheelchair accessible. There's also a decent amount of parking available, though I imagine it struggles during wisteria season.
Another highlight is the gift shop(s). There are a wide array of different souvenirs available, including Tochigi specialties. You can also buy flowers there, though you should note that the flower shop and souvenir shop are separate and have different registers.
The staff, as you'd expect in Japan, are excellent. Very friendly, helpful and efficient.
Beautiful flowers everywhere. The park is meticulously laid out and maintained. Also excellent accessibility for those who need it. Gorgeous layouts, beautiful flower combinations to make it a colorful feast for the eyes. There are lots of places to sit and relax, absorb the scenery, eat a snack or a purple wisteria ice cream, and gift shops if you decide to bring home some of the delicacies. Plan at least 1.5 hours, but more if you want to see everything.
Visited on 1 May 2025 in the morning, which, although not an official holiday, was part of the Golden Week. Started getting busy only around 11am, but the crowds were manageable. I was still able to take photos, and find seats to take a break or have lunch. Definitely recommend coming, although I would consider coming in the evening instead to catch the flowers in both daylight and under the night illuminations. Lots of other flowers besides wisterias too, including petunias, poppies, azaleas, etc.
Despite the unimaginable crowds, Ashikaga Flower Park is still definitely worth a visit. You should stay at least half a day, appreciating the enormous wisteria trellises as long as possible. This place is truly unlike any other, and besides the magnificent wisteria, you can enjoy a whole lot of other nice flower arrangements. There are snacks and food everywhere, but beware of long lines. In addition, there are stalls to buy potted flowers, so bring a bag if you want one.
