Currently, under the name of reconstruction assistance for the Japan Earthquake 2011, “Fuji Matsuri”, the Wisteria Festival has been held around Rengeji-ike pond in Fujieda. As I love wisterias very much, I visited Rengeji-ike Park a few days ago to see how lovely they were blooming this year.
It was a beautiful day. On standing by the pond, I could catch the scent of some flowers. Expectation made me hurry to walk around. First came azaleas into sight. Yae-zakura cherry blossoms were showing their best and the pathway was dressed with various kind of flowers ( actually I’m not familiar with flowers ＾＾；). Flying carps above the pond were swimming pleasantly in the air. The wind was still rather cold but all colors of spring made me feel warm in my heart.

In 10 minutes or so, I found a lodge that sells some chips and drinks, or where you can eat soba or udon noodle. I stepped in it to have a bit early lunch. Lots of visitors were already there having their lunch, chatting with friends. I took Tempura Soba noodle which cost only ￥480. Good lunch for me in taste and cost.

After lunch, I started walking again along the pond. Soon, the hero of the day appeared. Yes, Japanese wisteria ! As you can find the word “Fuji” ( Japanese word for wisteria ) in the name of the city “Fujieda”, wisteria is the symbol of Fujieda City. Most of the people in Shizuoka would imagine Fuji color from Fujieda City, or Fujieda City from Fuji color.
The general blossoming condition on that day was about 40%, I would say. Still, in the sunlit part, they seemed to have fully bloomed and I could take good pictures this year, too ! According to Fujieda City Tourist Association, wisterias around Rengeji-Ike Park would become its best around this weekend. That is, it’s best during Golden Week ( Japanese long holiday ) ! I love wisterias. I like the purple color. Deep and soft, something beyond expression. The sweet scent is really something ! I felt as if I had embraced by a fragrant angel in a cozy air. I sat on a bench, having a quiet time. Soft breeze passed through me as if to wash every bad thing away from me

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By the way, during the festival, until May 5, you can buy wisteria ice-creams at the hdqrs booth by the pond. I bought one. Lovely purple and slight wisteria flavor. I don’t think I need to tell you how it tasted, right ?＾＾ ￥150 each. They told me that all ice-cream had been sold out last weekend. Go for it to taste the-only-one !

Rengeji-ike pond is 1.5km around. Maybe you can tour around it in 30 minutes at most. You can enjoy flowers through the year, like, in spring, it begins with Sakura cherry blossoms, Wisterias, Azaleas, Irises, and Hydrangeas, fascinating us all the time with various faces.
If this trip is not enough for you, just as I did, why don’t you hike the hill behind the pond ? I’ll introduce the hiking trail in the next report.

Have a good day !