In Which We Visit The Iris Festival! (Part 2)

At the conclusion of our boat ride, we slogged from the docks to the Suigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Gardens, across the street.  The iris, at last!  The garden- filled with 1.5 million iris, weeping willow, a pond with chirping frogs, and more gliding sappa boats- was a breathtaking sight.  A kimono-clad bride and her groom were scheduled to take a ceremonial boat ride through the exquisite park, but the event was canceled. Stupid rain!  On the other hand, though, the rain turned out to be a blessing.  There were hardly any other sightsee-ers around.  Our views of the iris were unimpeded!

Mini water wheels and sappa create delightful, permanent displays.

Iris surround the pond, while a wisteria-covered tunnel and wooden bridge beckon from a distance.

Every shade of blue and purple can be found!

For an additional fee, you can enjoy another sappa ride. Float through lily pads and under weeping willow!

Each grouping of iris is accompanied by a label that bears its name.

Gardening over by the playground.

After soaking up the iris' beauty, make sure to stop by one of the tents outside the exit.  Vendors are selling beautiful iris cookies and wagashi!

One of my wagashi (traditional, Japanese dessert).  Exquisite and delicious, with a
deep purple, sweet potato filling.  The right side got a bit damaged in transit.  Sad.

My second wagashi.  Not sure what it was or what was in it, but the taste was very light.  Gorgeous, isn't it?

In addition to the iris-viewing, the Gardens offer several other delightful attractions.

• Bride's Boat on June 16 (will be canceled in the event of inclement weather)
• Open-air Tea Ceremony, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00-15:00, until June 24. 300 yen per cup (will be canceled in the event of inclement weather).
• Aquatic Garden boat cruise.  8:30-18:00. Approximately 10 minutes. 500 yen for junior high students and adults, 200 yen for children 3 years old to elementary school (will be canceled in the event of inclement weather, but they were still operating the day we were there).
• "Hand Dance" performance on June 17, at 11:00 and 13:30.
• The Gardens also has a fun playground for kids.

Access: Sawara City can be reached by train on the JR Narita line to Sawara Station, in Chiba Prefecture. A shuttle bus operates from Sawara Station (on the JR Narita Line), only for the duration of the Iris Festival. Bus fare is 500 yen.  The drive to Suigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Gardens takes approximately 25 minutes.


Disclaimer:  I do my best to make sure all my information is accurate.  However, details may change or I may just be flat-out wrong.  Please let me know if something needs a correction.  Thank-you!