Take a Charming Ride in the Delightful Waterside Town of Itako

Take a beautiful and romantic trip to this Ibaraki location famous for its Iris Festival

In the southeastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture is the small city of Itako. With river access to Edo, modern-day Tokyo, it flourished during Japan's feudal period, from the 17th to mid-19th centuries. Built atop canals, the city came to depend on boats as a means of transportation. One particularly famous tradition that spread from this legacy is new brides being escorted by boat to their grooms, now recreated as an event that highlights Itako’s Iris Festival.

From late May to late June, the city blooms with brilliantly colored irises that leave viewers awestruck. Over one million irises of 500 varieties fill the town as part of the Suigo Itako Iris Festival. Recently or soon-to-be-married couples apply for this event to make their union as romantic as possible.

Also common during the festival are rickshaw rides. Consider hiring one so you can sit back and enjoy a relaxing ride through Itako's charming townscape.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Sobu Line rapid train to Chiba Station (about 40 minutes),;transfer to the JR Narita Line to Narita Station (about 30 minutes), then walk to the Narita Line train to Sawara Station (about 30 minutes) and transfer to the JR Kashima Line to Itako Station (about 10 minutes).

From Narita Airport, take the Narita Line train to Narita Station (about 10 minutes), then; transfer to the JR Kashima Line to Itako Station (about 45 minutes). 

Suigo-Itako Ayame Festival