Suigo-Itako Iris Garden (Itako Iris Festival, Ayame Matsuri)

Itako City

Eastern Ibaraki

Parks/Nature

Festivals/Events

The Suigo-Itako Iris Garden, covering an area of approximately 1.3 hectares, is located along the river in Itako City. Every year, from late May to late June, around 1 million irises of 500 varieties bloom in full glory. At the Suigo-Itako Iris Festival (Ayame Matsuri), held during the blooming season, visitors can experience the traditional culture of Itako City.
In the past, robune (Japanese rowboat) were commonly used in Itako City, much like private vehicles for traveling along the waterways. These boats were also used for a wedding tradition— to bring a bride to her husband's home. Today, the Yomeiribune (bride boat), which recreates this tradition, is a popular event held during the festival. Visitors can also enjoy robune tours and the Ayame Dance.

In addition to irises, the park also features seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, wisteria, and hydrangeas.

Information

Address: Ibaraki, Itako, Ayame 1-5
Access: By public transport: 3 minutes on foot from Itako Station
By car: About 10 minutes from the Itako IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway
Business Hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.city.itako.lg.jp/page/page001385.html
Contact: Itako City Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division: 0299-63-1111
Parking: Please park in the nearby municipal or paid parking lots.

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Kamisu City

Eastern Ibaraki

Hasaki Beach

Hasaki Beach is a popular swimming destination that has been recognized by the Ministry of the Environment and selected as one of the Top 100 Recommended Swimming Beaches. The beach's popularity lies in its shallow waters, pristine white sandy beach, and high water transparency. The surrounding area also boasts numerous points for surfing and bodyboarding, attracting young people and families throughout the year.

Parks/Nature

Sports/Outdoor

Kamisu City

Eastern Ibaraki

Ikisu Shrine

Ikisu Shrine, along with Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Katori Jingu Grand Shrine (Chiba Prefecture), has long been revered as one of the most powerful spiritual sites in the Kanto region—the "Three Shrines of the East."
With a history spanning over 1,200 years, Ikisu Shrine enshrines Kunado-no-Kami (the God of good fortune, protection from evil spirits, travel safety, and wells) as its main deity, alongside Ama-no-Torifune-no-Kami (the God of travel safety) and Sumiyoshi-Sanjin (the Gods of maritime protection).
Additionally, the Oshioi spring, located on the shrine grounds, is one of Japan's three sacred springs and is believed to be beneficial. It is said that if a woman drinks the spring water from a man's bottle and a man drinks from a woman's bottle, the two will be united.
*Currently, the water from the Oshioi spring cannot be consumed directly from the well. However, visitors can draw water from chozuya (a traditional water basin for …

Temples/Shrines

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Eastern Ibaraki

Lapoppo Namegata Farmers Village

Namegata Farmers Village is a park and shop in a renovated school building just an 80-minute drive from Tokyo. The overarching concept at the park is "farm to table." Therefore, visitors can eat, experience, play, and learn about farming at the park's sweet baked potato factory. In addition to shops and restaurants, hands-on farming workshops are available.
By public transport: From JR Itako Station, take a Rokko Kitaura Line bus bound for Aso Onsen. After around 35 minutes, get off at the Lake Eco/Shirahama Shonen Shizen no Ie/Namegata Farmers Village bus stop. Namegata Farmers Village is a minute walk from the bus stop.

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