Wisteria blooms at Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyushu, Japan

© Wibowo Rusli/Alam

Tunnel of blooms. Purple flowers and Golden Week

The wisteria blossom season is winding down at Kawachi Fuji Gardens. But for those lucky enough to be in Kitakyushu, Japan, for the event, the reward is walking under a canopy of purple, pink and white wisteria flowers. The wisteria blooms often overlap with Golden Week – the span from 29 April to 5 May, when four major holidays in Japan occur. The week begins with Shōwa Day, a celebration for Emperor Hirohito, and ends with Children’s Day. Many workers take the week off and travel while enjoying the spring weather. If you missed the wisteria hubbub, come to Kawachi Fuji Gardens in autumn, when the leaves turn and the park hosts a maple-leaf festival.