Suigo Itako Iris Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the sight of around 1 million iris plants across approximately 500 varieties coloring the gardens.

In a wedding boat procession unique to the Suigo region, the bride sets off in a hand-rowed ro-bune, meets the groom at the iris garden, and then travels by rickshaw to the Suigo Old House Isō-tei.

You can also enjoy traditional ro-bune rides, Itako Bayashi music, Itako Gion Festival dances, and nighttime illuminations.

Early summer in Suigo Itako, brightened by irises and wedding boats

What to expect

You can stroll through the gardens and admire the irises, as well as enjoy performances, dances, and an iris sales event held during the festival.

The wedding boats operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and a nighttime “Evening Wedding” is also scheduled on Saturdays.

On a ro-bune ride, the boatman rows along the Maekawa River as you take in the Suigo scenery and listen to stories about Itako’s history and local legends.

At night, the gardens and bridges are illuminated.

How to take part

Visitors can enjoy viewing the irises, performances, dances, and wedding boats.

No general eligibility requirements or application process for participating in the festival as a whole have been announced, but in 2026, brides for the wedding boat procession were recruited.

Applications to become an Itako Bride are made in groups of 4: the bride, groom, and 2 matchmakers, one man and one woman.

For the 2026 Itako Bride recruitment, applicants were asked to submit the designated application form with upper-body and full-length photos of the bride, either in person, by post, or by email.

The application period ran from November 14, 2025 until 5 p.m. on January 14, 2026, and applications are now closed.

Applicants for the wedding boat procession were subject to selection, and the cost was listed as 160,000 yen.

Source: 【受付終了しました】令和8年度 嫁入り舟の「潮来花嫁さん」募集 | 潮来市公式ホームページ

Source: 令和8年 水郷潮来あやめ園 開花情報 | 潮来市公式ホームページ

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Location and access

Venue and address

Suigo Itako Iris Garden (1-5 Ayame, Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Train and bus

A 3-minute walk from Itako Station on the JR Kashima Line.

Take an express bus bound for “Kashima Jingu” or “Kashima Central Hotel” from the Yaesu South Exit of Tokyo Station, and get off at “Suigo Itako Bus Terminal.”

The trip from Tokyo Station takes about 70 minutes.

By car

About 7 minutes from Itako IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.

Address 1-5 Ayame, Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)

The 75th Suigo Itako Iris Festival was held from May 22 (Fri) to June 21 (Sun) in 2026.

The festival is usually held from late May to late June, and the irises are said to be at their best from early June until around the 10th.

In 2026, the wedding boats operated on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and a 7:30 p.m. Evening Wedding Boat was also listed for Saturdays.

Source: 第75回水郷潮来あやめまつりのご案内 | 茨城県の観光情報～水郷潮来観光協会～

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The rowing-boat cruises may be canceled due to weather.

The gardens are illuminated from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering a view of the grounds that differs from the daytime scenery.

Flowers are usually at their best from early June through around the 10th, but their appearance varies with blooming conditions, so it’s a good idea to check the latest bloom information before your visit.

Nearby attractions

Around the festival venue, you can enjoy ro-bune rides along the Maekawa River and the Maekawa Twelve Bridges Tour, which is also featured in related information.

In 2026, a shuttle boat connecting Suigo Itako Iris Garden and Suigo Sawara Ayame Park was advertised.

Also featured in Itako City is the Ajisai no Mori hydrangea garden at Nihonmatsu-ji Temple, making it a stop on an itinerary that combines irises with seasonal flowers.

Parks and gardensItako City

Suigo Itako Iris Garden

茨城県潮来市にある公園

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写真：Σ64 / CC BY 4.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Suigo Itako Iris Festival

The Suigo Itako Iris Festival began in 1952 (Showa 27).

It is said that the event originally began when iris enthusiasts displayed cut flowers in beer bottles and similar containers.

Over time, it expanded beyond iris-viewing events to include wedding boats, dances, music, and ro-bune rides, making use of the scenery and culture of Suigo Itako.

Source: 水郷潮来あやめまつり - Wikipedia

Official information

Event information is available on the “75th Suigo Itako Iris Festival” page on the official Itako City website.

Tourism information and directions are also available on the 2026 feature page from Kanko Ibaraki.

For inquiries, contact the Itako City Tourism and Commerce Division; during the festival, information is also available from the Iris Festival Headquarters.

Suigo Itako Iris Festival at a Glance

The Suigo Itako Iris Festival is a chance to admire around 1 million irises across approximately 500 varieties and enjoy wedding boats and ro-bune rides unique to the Suigo region.

In 2026, the festival was held at Suigo Itako Iris Garden from May 22 to June 21.

The venue is easy to reach, a 3-minute walk from Itako Station and about 7 minutes by car from Itako IC, and admission is free.