1,000,000 irises🪻at Suigo Sawara Ayame Park and Sawara Old Town “Little Edo”

To join this event please see below and send me a message on LINE. Without this, you will not find out our meeting point. EVERYONE needs to do this EVERY TIME, including those who have participated with me previously.

From centuries-old buildings to botanical gardens and picturesque canals, the Edo-era town of Sawara is full of discoveries.

We'll begin our day by taking a highway bus from Tokyo Station to Suigo Sawara Ayame Park as it's very much the easiest route.

We will meet at Tokyo Station Yaesu South (JR Highway buses) BEFORE 9:15am. I will advise the meeting point via the LINE group (see below) along with where to purchase tickets. The expected cost of the bus is ¥1,750.

[If you prefer, get the bus that leaves Sawara station at 11:10am and arrives at Suigo Sawara Ayame Park Iriguchi 11:27am. This is the bus we will be on from Tokyo station].

◾️After you have applied to join this event, please contact Mark via the Line application quoting your FULL NAME and this message: [Ayame Park & Sawara event - 7th June] MARK's LINE ACCOUNT
If you would like to bring a guest, please ask me via Line.

◾️参加されるイベントの名前(フルネーム)と日付を付けてマークにLINEしてください!
例:[Ayame Park & Sawara event - 7th June] MARK's LINE ACCOUNT
定員の都合上、お連れ様がいる時は事前にLINEでご相談ください。

Ayame Park: The World of Water Flowers

Suigo Sawara Ayame Park is a Japanese garden like no other as it focuses on aquatic plants. The park occupies a part of Yodaura Bay in the wet plain encompassing several lakes and rivers flowing into the Pacific Ocean in Chiba prefecture’s northeastern side.

The park sits near a confluence of rivers and lakes, providing hydration for the flowers that adorn the park grounds in beautifully patterned lines. Koi fish greet you in the inlets of water, which are also open for boat cruises along the flowerbeds. The rows of flowers wind through the park, creating excellent views from any angle, and the hills, arching bridges and lookout points let you admire the spectacle from higher up. See herons coming and going, taking long strides in search of small fish that make their way into the maze of vegetation.

Ayame is a common term for Japanese irises, and as the name of the park suggests, it is indeed the biggest attraction for flower enthusiasts here. There are over 400 distinct varieties from all across Japan, and some from abroad. Each strain is affectionately named by the original cultivator, and more than one are sure to capture you with their vivid beauty. While the iris season usually lasts from late May through late June, a plethora of other native flowers color the park in nearly all seasons.

In early June, the park is at its peak and its aquatic fields see more than one million of irises of 400 different species blooming. The scenery looks like a real-life master’s painting in which a path is winding among flowers of various hues : violet, pale purple, pink, white or yellow.

The visit is further enlivened by:

• A berthing pier, for the boats touring the garden,
• A long wooden pergola sustaining huge wisteria trees,
• Boardwalks to get the closest as possible to the ornamental flowers,
• An elevated observation platform with an unobstructed view over the park,
• Several small Japanese bridges crossing the canals.

A matsuri festival is held each year for the blooming of irises. At this occasion, the number of boat rides is increased, with departures every 30 minutes, and boats are conducted by helmsmen and helms-women in traditional costumes.

We will then take the bus to Sawara Station at 2:38pm, costing approximately ¥410.

SAWARA: The Beautiful Little Edo by the Water

Sawara is the historical district of Katori City in Chiba prefecture. Thriving during the Edo period (1603 – 1868), this old merchant town preserved its beautiful traditional houses and wooden shops built along the Ono River. Strolling in the lovely quaint streets or cruising on the canal feels like visiting olden times’ Japan.

Behind their beautiful facades, these authentic Japanese houses hide lovely small shops, well-maintained and always open, showcasing the local way of life. Cafes, restaurants and crafts shop are plenty in Sawara, with a large array of traditional souvenirs of Japan to choose from, such as sembei crackers, Washi paper, Japanese patterns fabric, elegant umbrellas, braided baskets and various decorative objects.
Along with strolling through the old town and visiting the shops for souvenirs, we will take a 30-40 minute boat cruise (sappa bune) on the Ono river.

Sawara boat information

Sawara video

Sawara map PDF

Entrance fee to Ayame Park = ¥800
Boat ride in Sawara = ¥1300

Event fee:
¥800 - early discount if you pay by 27th May (PayPay, or in cash at an earlier event).
¥1250 if you pay between 28th May - 6th June early evening (PayPay, or in cash at an earlier event).
¥1500 in cash on the event day (7th June) - please bring the correct money. This, unfortunately, is only available if you've previously attended my events. First-timers need to pre-pay.

If don't have PayPay, please ask a friend or coworker to do the transaction for you (give them cash!).

Cancellation policy:

• 50% refund given if cancellation is notified BY LINE MESSAGE at least 24 hours before the event start time.
• Cancellation within 24 hours of the event start time or no-showing requires full payment of the event fee.