Suigō Itako Iris Garden, Botanical garden specializing in iris flowers in Itako, Japan.
Suigō Itako Iris Garden is a flower garden with about one million iris plants of around 500 varieties spread across a network of canals and carefully designed pathways. The plants grow beside and within the water, with blooms reflecting in the still waterways.
The garden was founded in 1976 from a desire to preserve and share the natural beauty of the local water landscape with visitors. Since opening, it has grown into a major horticultural destination in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The name combines water and town, reflecting the area's canal-based landscape that has defined local life for centuries. Today, visitors experience how the flowers and waterways form a unified natural and cultural space where both elements depend on each other.
The garden is best visited in late May through early June when irises reach peak bloom and colors are most vibrant. From nearby Itako Station, it is just a short walk, and the pathways within are laid out for comfortable strolling.
During peak season, wedding ceremonies take place where brides in white kimonos travel by traditional boats across the canals. These events blend old customs with the garden's setting in a way not found elsewhere.
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