A Blooming Escape: Yokosuka’s Wisteria Wonderland

Step into spring at Yokosuka Iris Garden, where cascading wisteria blooms create a dreamy floral canopy. From April 19 to May 5, 2025, the annual Wisteria Festival invites visitors to witness over 250 wisteria trees in full bloom, weaving vibrant shades of purple, white, and pink across the garden. Located just over an hour from Tokyo, this serene oasis is a must-visit for flower lovers and spring explorers alike.

“Shobu” means “iris” in Japanese, and the garden is renowned for its spectacular seasonal flower displays, especially irises and wisteria.

Wisteria Festival 2025 – Event Overview

⚫︎ Dates: April 19 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon, National Holiday), 2025
⚫︎ Location: Yokosuka Shobu-en (Iris Garden)
⚫︎ Opening Hours:
  ⚫︎ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (September to April)
  ⚫︎ 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (May to August)

⚫︎ Admission Fees:
  ⚫︎ April to June: Adults ¥320 / Children (elementary and junior high) ¥100
  ⚫︎ July to March: Free admission

Yokosuka Shobu-en is one of Japan’s premier botanical gardens, renowned for its extensive iris displays in early summer. During spring, the garden’s Wisteria Grove, featuring 11 varieties and 250 wisteria trees, creates a majestic sight that attracts visitors from all over the region.

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Festival Events

Enjoy live performances in the garden, blending culture and nature:

April 19 (Sat)

  ⚫︎ South American Music by Banana Monkeys
  ⚫︎ Time: 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM
  ⚫︎ Location: Outdoor stage near the iris field
  ⚫︎ Canceled in case of rain

April 26 (Sat)

  ⚫︎ Japanese Taiko Drumming by B-Style
  ⚫︎ Time: 11:00 AM
  ⚫︎ Location: Outdoor stage near the iris field
  ⚫︎ Canceled in case of rain

April 27 (Sun)

  ⚫︎ Traditional Koto Performance
  ⚫︎ Time: 11:00 AM
  ⚫︎ Location: Hall on the second floor of the main building

The “koto” is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, and performances offer an authentic cultural experience in a peaceful garden setting.

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About Yokosuka Iris Garden (Shobu-en)

Yokosuka Iris Garden spans 3.8 hectares and is home to over 140,000 iris plants across 412 varieties, blooming from late May to late June. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy other seasonal gardens including the Wisteria Grove and Rhododendron Garden.

The facility also features:

⚫︎ A restaurant with seating for 100 guests
⚫︎ An exhibition room
⚫︎ A rest area where guests may bring their own lunch

Yokosuka is a coastal city in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for its naval heritage and lush public parks.

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Access

From JR Kinugasa Station:

⚫︎ Shobu-en Loop Bus: ~10 min, get off at “Shobu-en” stop (2–3 buses per hour)
⚫︎ Other routes: Take the bus bound for Yokosuka Station via Ikegami, or Shioiri Station, ~5 min → Get off at Ikegami Junior High School, walk 15 min

From Keikyu Shioiri Station:

⚫︎ Take the bus bound for Kinugasa Station via Ikegami, ~15 min → Get off at Ikegami Junior High School, walk 15 min

IC cards like Suica or PASMO, which are rechargeable smart cards used for trains and buses across Japan, are accepted on all buses.

📍Map link to Shobu-en Garden (Google Maps)

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Official Information

• Garden Website: http://www.ryokukazouen.jp/iris/
• Phone: 046-853-3688 (Garden Management Office)
• Organizer: Yokosuka Green Landscaping Cooperative