Suigo Sawara Iris Festival 2025] Enjoy Iris at Suigo Sawara Iris Park in Katori, Chiba!

  • Chiba
  • Sightseeing
Yomeiri-Bune (boat for married couples)
The "Suigo Sawara Iris Festival" will be held from May 24 (Sat) to June 22 (Sun), 2025 at the Suigo Sawara Iris Park located in the Suigo Tsukuba National Park. The view created by 1.5 million irises of about 400 varieties blooming in the approximately 8 hectares of the park is spectacular. Here are some of the highlights of the festival, such as the "park boat tour" where you can see irises, water lilies, lotus, etc. up close, and the "Yomeiri-bune," a traditional wedding boat in Suigo area.

Enjoy seasonal flowers by the water at "Suigo Sawara Iris Park

Suigo Sawara Iris Park is a representative sightseeing facility of Katori City, a waterside flower theme park where visitors can experience the four seasons of Suigo. In the spacious park, irises, wisteria, water lilies, and lotus flowers are in full bloom in each season. In addition to flower viewing, Suigo Sawara Ayame Park offers boat tours, playground equipment, a dog run, and many other ways to enjoy the park. Why not refresh yourself in a space surrounded by colorful flowers?
Walking path in the park
Water lilies growing in clusters along the waterway bloom in the morning and close in the afternoon. We recommend that you visit the park early in the morning to enjoy the blooming.
Water lilies growing in clusters along the waterway

The best time to see irises is from early to mid June!

There are about 400 varieties of irises grown in Suigo Sawara Iris Park. The early varieties start blooming in mid-May, and the late varieties do not start blooming until late June. Blooming depends on the temperature of the year, but is at its peak in mid-June. Please check the blooming conditions and enjoy the irises in full bloom.
Please check the blooming information here

Enjoy irises at their best at "Suigo Sawara Iris Festival

The "Suigo Sawara Iris Festival" is held every year at "Suigo Sawara Iris Park" when the irises are in full bloom. This year's festival will be held from May 24 (Sat) to June 22 (Sun), 2025. The park will be filled with 1.5 million irises of about 400 varieties with names such as "Fujibakama" and "Dainagon". There is a wide variety of flowers, including Edo, Ise, and Higo types. Please enjoy the beautiful view of the entire area as if it were a purple carpet.
Iris

Watch waterside flowers on a small boat

Waterways are arranged in the park, and visitors can appreciate the flowers while riding on a boat. Among the many iris gardens in Japan, only Suigo Sawara Iris Park allows visitors to appreciate the flowers while riding on a boat. Sawara this small boat is called a "sappabune. You can enjoy the elegant appearance of irises from a different perspective than on land, and you can also see the water lilies and lotuses that grow in clusters along the waterways up close.
The sight of female boatmen in kasuri (kasuri) kimono with red aprons and tabi (socks), wearing triangular woven hats and steering their boats on poles is a poetic sight at this time of the year. You can feel the arrival of early summer.

Boat tour in the park

■Fare
Junior high school students and older: 500 yen (400 yen for groups)
3 years old and up to elementary school students: 200 yen
■Service hours
8:30~17:00 (confirmation required)
*Boat service may be suspended in case of bad weather.
*Please do not bring pets on the boat after 15:30. (Confirmation required)
Boat tour in the park during Suigo Sawara Iris Festival

Yomeiri Boat" in Suigo area

Until the 1950s, it was a common sight to see brides heading for their bridal destinations on Japanese-style boats loaded with their bridal accessories in the Suigo area. At the Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival, brides and grooms dressed in kimono board a "sappa-bune" and proceed along the park's waterways. The bride and groom, who are congratulated by many visitors to the park, are a real couple chosen from a public contest! You can feel the unique culture of the good old Suigo area.

Experience a boat ride for brides" details

Dates: June 1 (Sun), June 14 (Sat)
■Participation fee: 20,000 yen (10,000 yen if you prepare your own costume)
*Costume and dressing are included. Please prepare your hair and make-up by yourself.
Please pay in cash.
Please note that the event may be cancelled in case of rain.
Qualifications: 18 years old or older. Married couples are also welcome.
Number of applicants: 1 couple per day (first-come-first-served basis)
■Gathering time and place: 9:30 a.m. at Suigo Ayame Park
■Performance: 11:00 a.m. - about 30 minutes of performance
Why not try "experience bride-to-be boat" at Suigo Sawara Ayame Park during the Ayame Festival? Anyone can experience this event for your memories and your anniversary as a couple. Please take advantage of this opportunity.
Yomeiri-Bune (boat for married couples)
In addition, during the Suigo Sawara Iris Festival, there will be a performance by a Dutch band and a local performing arts club performance by local junior high school students. Please enjoy the scenery unique to the Suigo area.
Boat tour in the park during the Iris Festival

Admission fee during "Suigo Sawara Iris Festival

Adults (15 to 65 years old *excluding junior high school students): 800 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 400 yen
65 years old and older: 700 yen

*Only same-day tickets are available at the Ayame Park counter, and advance and same-day tickets are available at Seven-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson and Mini Stop nationwide.
*Blooming time is subject to change depending on the weather, so please check the official SNS for blooming information before visiting the park.
[Instagram] Suigo Sawara Iris Park

Enjoy the "lawn square" and "dock run" and more! There are many other ways to enjoy!

At the entrance, there is a photo spot with a panel showing the face of a person who is a unique feature of Suigo Sawara Ayame Park! Benches are placed in the spacious park, so you can relax in the breeze and enjoy a picnic with your family on the lawn. In the back of the park, there are slides and playground equipment that resemble irises, as well as a dog run (for a fee) that dogs can enjoy.

Panel showing a face

Access from Sawara Station

From May 24 (Sat) to June 15 (Sun), a shuttle bus will be available from JR Sawara Station. When you exit the station, head in the right direction while looking at the statue of Tadataka Ino, and you will find the shuttle bus stop on the No. 2 line. Please check the schedule before boarding as it changes on weekdays and holidays.

■Fare (cash/IC card)
One way: 600 yen (junior high school students and older) 300 yen (elementary school students)

*The shuttle bus will not operate during the last week of the Iris Festival.
Shuttle bus timetable during the Ayame Festival

Enjoy waterside flowers in Suigo Sawara

We introduced "Suigo Sawara Iris Park" where you can enjoy various waterfront flowers. The "Suigo Sawara Iris Festival" is not only a place to appreciate flowers, but also to enjoy the unique culture of the Suigo area. Why not visit to enjoy the scenery of early summer?

Combine your favorite train with lodging or a day trip plan for a great travel experience!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and accommodations freely and apply for them all at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your application, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.
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