In the last weekend of April each year, Kasukabe City celebrates its explosion of purple and white wisteria blossoms in Fuji Matsuri. This is a small, local festival, but don't miss it if you're nearby. It's an intimate and fun experience of a community celebrating its gorgeous flowers.

At the west exit of Kasukabe Station is a nearly two kilometer long avenue of wisteria trellises. Streets are rarely named in Japan, but this one is known as "Fujidori", Wisteria Street. Once a year this sleepy suburb of Tokyo comes to life with a vibrant community festival. You don't have to struggle to find a spot to see the action. You will find yourself up close to yosakoi dancers, marching bands, Edo Period recreation entertainment, and wadaiko drum performances. Enjoy the shade of the wisteria trellises, and try some of the many festival foods available at booths along the route.

If the festival gets rained out on the first day, the events are rescheduled for the next day.

Combine your trip to see Fuji Matsuri, the Wisteria Festival, with a visit to neighboring Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City where you can experience Suzuki Shozo Sake Brewery and appreciate the local doll manufacturing at Iwatsuki Doll History Museum.