This might be useful for planning your next trip to Japan:
http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/flower-calendar.html

Wisteria - Late April to mid May.

Aloha Lucy!!

Hi to you, HT! And Linda too!

The Hitachi Seaside Park is a beautiful and often overlooked gem. It's unfortunate that more people don't see it. But regarding the chart, please note that the chart applies to the park only, and there can be significant bloom variations on where you are in Japan - in other words, don't rely on it too much for other places in the country. Plus, Mother Nature sometimes throws a curve ball too, so it'd be wise to keep your eye on forecasts as the blooming time gets closer. This is especially true for the cherry blossoms, which may start in Okinawa in late January, but in Hokkaido might begin in May.

thanks

peter promises us that all plants, trees and flowers will be in bloom for us mid-April to early may, 2017... is this not true??

ALL? Of course not. Each flower has its own blooming season. Cherry blossoms from central Honshu and southwards are mostly finished by mid-April most years. Hydrangea bloom often in early June, plum blossoms are in early spring or even late winter, cosmos bloom in the fall, the sunflowers bloom mostly in August, the chrysanthemum blooms in late fall, etc.
Perhaps these pictures will help you:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/wallpaper/2016/

Lol gotcha

Has anyone ever been to Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4881.html

I'd build a trip around seeing this. Looks amazing!

This year wisteria in Tokyo are already a little little past their peak.
We just visited Kameido Shrine in Tokyo and while still some bloom, they were past their peak. Great visit none the less.
http://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/kame...ja-shrine/3757
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2423.html

For a flower destination I would suggest Yushien near Matsue for Peony {Botan}.
Incredible flower display in late April early May.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5807.html