A 144-year-old wisteria tree in Japan’s Ashikaga Flower Park is captivating visitors with its dreamy pink canopy, creating a magical scene that looks straight out of a fairytale.
Few plants evoke as much enchantment as a wisteria in full bloom, and nestled in Japan’s Ashikaga Flower Park is one of the most remarkable examples in existence. This ancient Japanese wisteria, estimated to be around 144 years old, is a natural wonder that transforms the landscape into what seems like a fairy tale come to life. While Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, another stunning floral spectacle quietly commands attention each year — the bloom of Wisteria floribunda ‘Rosea’, the Japanese pink wisteria.
Known for its graceful, pea-like flowers and elegant cascading racemes, this particular variety radiates a rosy-pink hue against a backdrop of fresh green leaves that later turn golden in autumn. Though technically a vine, this wisteria’s massive size and age give it the look and grandeur of a tree. Spanning an astonishing 1,990 square meters (roughly half an acre), it ranks among the largest wisteria specimens in the world. (For comparison, the current largest wisteria vine — located in Sierra Madre, California — spreads across approximately 4,000 square meters.)
Due to the vine’s immense weight, an intricate network of steel supports has been installed beneath the canopy. These structures not only prevent collapse but also create a stunning walkway where visitors can wander beneath curtains of soft pink and lavender blooms. Sunlight filtering through the blossoms creates an otherworldly atmosphere — a living dreamscape where nature and artistry entwine. With its mesmerizing colors, impressive age, and romantic presence, the wisteria of Ashikaga Flower Park isn’t just a botanical treasure — it’s a symbol of timeless beauty that continues to inspire awe, year after year.
