In my February and March columns, I explored Japan’s seasonal flower culture through plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.
And along the way, I realized something.
It connects to a traditional Japanese card game I introduced before: Hanafuda.
What is Hanafuda? A Unique Japanese Souvenir for Nintendo Fans
Unlike Western playing cards, Hanafuda has no numbers. Each month is represented purely through imagery, creating a visually rich and uniquely Japanese game.
In this system, February is symbolized by plum blossoms, and
March by cherry blossoms.
So naturally, we shouldn’t stop there.
April has its own flower as well.
Fuji—wisteria.
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| April features fuji (wisteria) paired with a cuckoo—a classic combination |
When the cherry blossoms fall, many people feel a quiet sense of loss.
But that moment is not an ending—it’s a transition.
In late April, a new presence quietly takes over the city.
Long clusters of purple flowers begin to cascade down from above, forming what can only be described as a “curtain of violet.”
This is Fuji.
Fuji — Elegance and Symbolism
Fuji is a climbing plant, growing by extending strong, twisting vines.
For over a thousand years in Japan, it has been cultivated on wooden and bamboo trellises—known as fuji-dana (wisteria trellises)—allowing its blossoms to hang down in long, graceful clusters.
Some of these flower clusters can exceed one meter in length.
Each small bloom resembles a butterfly, and together they sway gently in the breeze, creating a scene that is both delicate and striking.
In classical Japanese literature, wisteria often symbolizes a graceful and refined woman.
Its pale purple color—fuji-iro—became a named color in its own right and was widely used in traditional clothing.
The color purple itself carries deeper meaning.
In ancient Japan, it was reserved for people of high rank, making it a symbol of nobility and elegance. Wisteria naturally came to embody these associations.
There is also a more modern cultural reference.
If you’ve seen Demon Slayer, you may recall that wisteria appears as a flower that repels demons.
This detail is not purely fictional—wisteria has long been believed in Japan to have protective, almost magical properties.
Where to See Fuji in Tokyo — Kameido Tenjin Shrine
There are several places in Tokyo where you can enjoy Fuji, but one of the most famous is Kameido Tenjin Shrine, which I also introduced earlier as a plum blossom spot.
In fact, while it is well known for plum blossoms, it has an even longer history as a celebrated wisteria viewing site.
During peak season, the shrine also offers evening illuminations.
As night falls, soft lighting transforms the wisteria into something entirely different.
The hanging clusters seem to float in the darkness, suspended in midair.
Compared to the vibrant beauty of the daytime, the nighttime atmosphere is quiet, almost dreamlike—a completely different experience in the same place.
A “Purple Waterfall” from Above
As soon as you step into the shrine grounds, you are surrounded by cascading Fuji.
With over 50 plants in bloom, the flowers spill down from the trellises like a waterfall of purple.
Walking beneath them, enveloped in their gentle fragrance, feels almost like stepping into another world.
One of the most iconic photo spots here features the arched red bridge within the shrine grounds.
With wisteria in the foreground and the towering Tokyo Skytree in the background,
you can capture both traditional and modern Tokyo in a single frame.
The shrine’s pond adds another layer of beauty.
The wisteria trellises surrounding it are reflected on the calm surface of the water, creating a mirror-like scene—sometimes called “Sakasa fuji (upside-down wisteria).”
Fuji Beyond the Shrine
Wisteria can be found not only in parks, but also in more everyday settings.
Because it can be cultivated, you may notice it hanging from the eaves of shops and private homes.
Just steps away from Kameido Tenjin Shrine stands the long-established confectionery shop Funabashiya, where a beautiful wisteria trellis welcomes visitors.
The shop is best known for its kuzumochi, loved for its uniquely soft texture and refined, delicate sweetness—an experience that pairs perfectly with the quiet elegance of the season.
And if you look closely at local shopping arcades or small izakaya, you might spot another subtle shift.
The decorations that featured cherry blossoms just weeks earlier are carefully replaced with wisteria.
Even though it lasts only a short time, people take the effort to change these displays to match the season.
That quiet attention to detail—and the people who notice and appreciate it—are part of what gives Tokyo its sense of seasonal rhythm.
When you begin to see these small changes, the city starts to feel more layered, more alive.
Spring Is Not Over Yet
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| Azaleas in bloom with the five-storied pagoda of Ueno Park . |
Just like in Hanafuda, the sequence continues—plum, cherry, and then wisteria.
April is also the season for many other flowers: azaleas, peonies, and rhododendrons all begin to bloom, each adding its own color to the city.
Many people think of cherry blossoms as the highlight of spring in Japan.
But in truth, they are only one part of a longer story.
Spring in Tokyo doesn’t end with falling petals.
If you happen to visit Japan during this season,
don’t stop at cherry blossoms—look for the violet curtain that comes next.
Related articles:
Before the Cherry Blossoms: Discovering Japan’s Plum Season
It’s Sakura Season—But It’s Not Just About the Famous Spots in Tokyo
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