While most visitors flock to Japan's major wisteria gardens (like Ashikaga) in late April, a similar scene can be had for a fraction of the crowds at the lovely wisteria garden just next to the Museum of Ancient Burial Mounds in Yamaga. The park consists of a gentle walking path that passes under five trellises, each one graced with a different variety of wisteria. The colors range from white to dark pink to different hues of purple; some of the varieties are actual quite rare in Japan. There is parking on-site for about two dozen vehicles and a restaurant nearby that serves an affordable set lunch. It's best to bring your own food, however, and picnic on the benches beneath the blooms.
- 1 min read
Wisteria Garden in Yamaga
Hidden garden awash with shades of purple
![Mandy Bartok Mandy Bartok](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/896/240x240!/565e87e167ba810c868b6bb4.jpg)
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
![A wisteria trellis near the end of the park](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113977/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113977.jpg)
A wisteria trellis near the end of the park
![A rare pink wisteria](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113978/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113978.jpg)
A rare pink wisteria
![The garden has at least five distinct varieties of wisteria](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113979/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113979.jpg)
The garden has at least five distinct varieties of wisteria
![Four out of the five major trellises are currently in bloom (late April)](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113980/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113980.jpg)
Four out of the five major trellises are currently in bloom (late April)
![The dark purple variety - also one of the rarer varieties - was the most impressive](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113981/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113981.jpg)
The dark purple variety - also one of the rarer varieties - was the most impressive
![This color of wisteria is only found in a few places in Japan](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113982/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113982.jpg)
This color of wisteria is only found in a few places in Japan
![The trellis closest to the entrance really sets the scene for what's to come](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/20070-113983/1000/kumamoto-wisteria-garden-in-yamaga-113983.jpg)
The trellis closest to the entrance really sets the scene for what's to come
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Join the discussion
Olga
9 years ago
Wisteria is already so beautiful! It's like a second sakura for me.
I have been out of Japan the past two years during the wisteria's blooming season so I am very very happy to have caught it this year!
Yui Yamaguchi
9 years ago
The wisteria is also used for fabric pattern's in history. There is kabuki number called fuji musume (wisteria girl). The photos reminded of me of that.
Thanks for sharing that, Yui! I had no idea it had ties with kabuki.
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