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While Tokyo’s cherry blossoms draw global attention in spring, early summer in Tokyo offers travelers a quieter, smaller, but equally captivating floral event: the Katsushika Iris Festival. Held annually every May and June, this festival celebrates the bloom of thousands of irises in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward, along the Arakawa River and in the hidden oasis of Horikiri Iris Garden. For those looking to explore a more traditional and peaceful side of Tokyo, the Katsushika Iris Festival offers a unique seasonal experience filled with color, culture, and local charm.
What Is the Katsushika Iris Festival?



The Katsushika Iris Festival (Katsushika Shobu Matsuri/葛飾菖蒲まつり) is an annual flower festival showcasing the hundreds of varieties of iris that have been cultivated across the world, including countless blooms carefully perfected by Japanese hobbyists in the Edo period (1603-1868), and a number of international imports from overses iris enthusiasts. The result is thousands of irises in a profusion of different shapes and colors, mainly gathered in the Horikiri Iris Garden (Horikiri Shobuen/堀切菖蒲園). Every year from late May through mid-June, flower lovers gather to see the elegant flora blooming along the water and across the sculpted garden, and to enjoy special performances, local food vendors, and a limited-time evening light-up of the garden too. If you’re in Tokyo for early summer, it’s a unique chance to wander among over 200 different iris varieties, ranging from deep purples to delicate whites, all labeled with poetic names and carefully arranged in a classic Japanese garden setting. Best of all, admission is free, making it one of Tokyo’s most accessible seasonal festivals.
Katsushika Iris Festival Details
2025 Dates: May 26 ~ June 15
Entry: Free
▶︎ Find out how to get to the Katsushika Iris Festival and other important details on our event page!
The Best Place to See Irises in Tokyo: Horikiri Iris Garden

What makes the Horikiri Iris Garden so special? The Horikiri neighborhood of Katsushika Ward has been a destination for iris lovers for well over 200 years, and this historic garden is one of the oldest and most culturally significant of its kind, officially named and established over 130 years ago.


Horikiri Iris Garden was famously depicted in Utagawa Hiroshige’s ukiyo-e print Irises at Horikiri, part of his beloved “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” collection from the Edo period. Though smaller than most of Tokyo’s most famous gardens, Horikiri Iris Garden has a special atmosphere – quiet, local, and deeply rooted in tradition. The garden’s intimate size makes it feel like a little paradise for flower lovers, tucked away in the city, ideal for a short stroll or photo session during iris season.
More to Explore Nearby

After visiting the iris garden, consider walking to the Horikiri Waterside Park on the nearby Arakawa River embankment. This peaceful riverside spot features smaller iris beda and views of Tokyo Skytree, which rises like a futuristic backdrop behind the traditional blooms.


The walk from the station to the garden also includes a charming stretch called Hydrangea Road (Ajisai-dori/紫陽花通り), lined with blooming hydrangeas that add to the early-summer beauty of the area.

Another great nearby destination is Shibamata, known for its nostalgic shopping street and the historic Taishakuten Temple.
Why Visit the Iris Festival?



For those visiting Tokyo in late May or June, the Katsushika Iris Festival provides a perfect break from the usual tourist trail. Enjoy a little of Tokyo’s natural seasonal beauty, a little bit of the city’s cultural heritage you probably didn’t know about, and a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path place to relax – all just a short train ride from wherever you’re staying in Tokyo!
▶︎ Discover more of Japan’s beautiful summer flower spots, or destinations with amazing flowers throughout the year!
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