Just like the bees that pollinate them, the residents of Fukuoka flock to the peony garden in Ohori Park in early May. Like the nearby Wisteria Garden, you will find many Japanese people coming here to photograph the peonies. Peonies, or 芍薬 (しゃくやく, shyakuyaku) in Japan (some species are also called ボタン (botan)), represent symbolise good luck, honour, prosperity and romance.

Near Ohori Park in Maizuru Park (舞鶴公園, Maizuru Kouen), there is a peony garden with 53 different varieties of peonies. The types can be found in the table (in Japanese) below:

The best time to visit this garden is early to mid-May, which is when the peonies in this part of Japan start to bloom. That is when you will see the garden in its full glory. The peony garden is next to the wisteria garden. If you are coming from the road, it is to the right (north) of the wisteria pergolas. From Ohori Park coming through the Najima Gate (福岡城 名島門), it is to the left. You will climb a set of stone stairs to reach the garden.

Unlike the wisteria garden, the peony garden is not open 24/7. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, so take that into account when you visit. It is still free to enter though, as are all gardens in Ohori Park except for the Japanese garden.

Here are some of my photos of the peonies and the garden:

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