Every season, dormant treasures of Mother Nature bloom for the rest of the world to enjoy, and this is no different in Japan. From weeping plum trees and cherry blossoms in the spring to red autumn leaves in the fall, the breathtaking changing of the seasons is one of the best events the country has to offer. During the current months of April and May, as spring gradually passes into summer, Japan has been welcoming the blossoming of enormous wisteria trees so captivating that tourists from all over the world have come to feast their eyes on their beauty.

The wisterias bloom in Japan from late-April to early-May, and their petals drape in a majestic purple shower over the heads of mesmerized visitors. It's safe to say that the most famous location to see wisterias is Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture, which was selected by CNN as one of the 10 Dream Destinations of 2014. Along with the thousands of other tourists who went to seek pleasure in the magnificent flower petals for themselves, Japanese photographer Takahiro Bessho was also able to capture their phenomenal beauty through the lens of his camera.


Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi Prefecture

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho


Ashikaga Flower Park wasn't the only wisteria-viewing spot Bessho visited, however, and he also traveled to Hyogo Prefecture to shoot pictures at Byakugō-ji Temple. This location is known in Japan to boast the most beautiful wisterias in the Kansai Region, with branches dangling up to 1.8 meters long.

Byakugō-ji Temple, Hyogo Prefecture

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Source: @TakahiroBessho

Though the peak season to enjoy the wisterias in Byakugō-ji Temple has already passed, the wisterias at Ashikaga Flower Park will soon be turning yellow to show a whole different side to their beauty.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.