Suigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden

"This garden boasts the largest collection 

of iris in Asia"

Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden

 The entrance of Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden.

During the early months of summer in June, it is the season of iris, a species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. Iris is more commonly known in Japanese as ayame (菖蒲). The first tour of Chiba Kun Ambassadors took us to the city of Katori, which sits in the northeast part of Chiba Prefecture. Tone River flows just to the north, and it is the border between Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures.

The first stop we made was Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden (水郷佐原水生植物園), a beautiful spot that makes the most of the water and greenery of Suigo Tsukuba Quasi-National Park. Opened in 1969, the garden's approximately 6 hectares of land are covered with what is said to be the largest collection of irises in Asia - 400 varieties of 1.5 million irises bathing the park in purple. This garden is also best known for its rich variety of lotus collection, comprising more than 300 varieties of lotus; the largest in Japan. The irises are at their best in June, and the lotuses in August.

 A platform where wedding ceremony is performed every summer.  The newly weds will strode through the waterways in a boat 

 in full Japanese wedding costume after leaving the platform. It is romantic and historical.

 A path that cuts across the garden where you can enjoy the panorama view of the irises growing along the waterways in the center of the garden. 

 There were beautiful irises in yellow, blue, purple and white.  Red, pink and white water lilies (30 kinds, 5000 plants) float on the water.

The irises were classified and identified carefully with beautiful wooden labels written in kanji characters and with Japanese pronunciation beside it.  

 In the centre of the garden, numerous bridges arched over the waterways for easy access and viewing of the beautiful irises. 

 From late April to June, visitors to this garden get to board the boat, shaped like a bamboo leaf, 

 for a little scenic cruise along the Suigo waterway that winds through the garden.  

The boats are tended by strong older women who were so friendly and ready to tell you many stories about the town. 

One photo on the wooden bridge overlooking the waterway and garden in the background.  

The Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden is the most exquisite Japanese iris garden in Asia. 100,000 blue flags (Iris versicolor) and 50,000 Rabbit-ear irises (Iris laevigata) bloom on the garden in April and May, followed by the flowering of Japanese Irises. Different varieties of irises with chic names like Fujibakama and Dainagon bloom in white, purple and yellow in their various zones. The collection included 400 kinds of the Edo, Higo and Ise iris groups and visitors are overwhelmed at the vastness of 1.5 million flowers in bloom.  In cultivating its irises, the garden maintains technical ties with Nanjing and Wuxi in China.

The Iris Festival is held in this garden throughout the month of June every year. Unfortunately, it was already the last day of the festival during our visit. So, most of the irises had dried off and we did not get to see the garden at its best time. However, we managed to get see some of the lotus flowers which have started to bloom. In July, lotus flowers take the stage. Over 300 types of lotus are grown here, including a small lotus seldom seen in Japan. There are many rare types, and you can enjoy as many colors of lotus as your heart desires. Visitors can also try drinking Japanese alcohol using a lotus leaf as a utensil and drink through the long lotus stem.  This natural utensil is lovingly called the "elephant's nose cup".

 Further at the back of the garden has a large lotus collection, said to be the largest in Japan.

 Many of the lotuses have been donated by Nanjing and they bloom in white, red, pink and yellow during July and August. 

Very rare kinds of lotuses such as the Chiben (lotus with many flower heads) can be viewed here. The best time for viewing the lotus is in the morning (photo credit: Tooru Ishikawa). 

 With Southeast Asian beauties - May (left) from Myanmar and Tiari (right) who hails from Bali, Indonesia. 

 An unexpected visitor on the lotus pond (photo credit: Tooru Ishikawa). 

In addition to iris and lotus, early May is the best time to see its wisteria flowers with their subtle fragrances. The elegant wisteria flower, that bloom dripping long flowers, are usually held on the first 10 days of May. The 13 wisteria flower trellises form a 100-meter long tunnel, and is indeed a masterpiece. Anyone would be surprised by its huge size.

There are souvenir shops selling biscuits, mochi and Japanese sweets in the iris shape, and several eateries that offers hot noodle, soba and curry rice.During the Iris Festival time, there are also massive stands and nurseries were set up in the parking lots showcasing the varieties available. Visitors can grab some irises of exceptional beauty and unusual colors from the shops to be brought back as souvenirs.

 The group photo of Chiba Kun Ambassadors at the garden (photo credit: Madoka Usui). 

※ INFORMATION ※

Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden (水郷佐原水生植物園)
Address: 1837-2 Ogishima, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (千葉県香取市扇島1837-2)
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:30 during the Iris Festival (hours vary in other seasons)
Closed: Every Monday and Year End and New Year holidays (open every day from May to August) )
Admission Fee: 700 yen (during the Iris Festival from the end of May to end of June), 500 yen from May to August (excluding the Iris Festival time), 200 yen other times.
Website: http://www.city.katori.lg.jp/suisei-syokubutsuen/index.html (Japanese only)
Tel: 0478-56-0411
Parking: Free (700 cars, 40 buses) 
Access: From JR Sawara Station (about 90 minutes from JR Tokyo Station), take the Kantetsu Kanko Bus via Yodaura towards Itako for 25 minutes, then get out at the Suisei Shokubutsuen Iriguchi bus stop, and walk 5 minutes (during the Blood Iris Festival time, there is a shuttle bus); Car: 30 minutes from Higashi-Kanto Expressway Interchange

Chiba Kun Ambassadors For The Forth Time

"Lets spread Chibaism to the world!"

Errr, well, that word is not exactly what you think lol!

Chiba Prefecture began the "Ambassadors to Spread Chiba Prefecture's Charm to the World Together with CHI-BA+KUN" (abbreviated as "CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors") project in 2011. The CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors are exchange students and other foreign residents living in Chiba Prefecture, who use their blogs, Facebook, and other social media to promote Chiba Prefecture’s many attractions in their native languages.

Our group photo with the Governor of Chiba Prefecture, Mr Morita Kensaku.

This year, 20 ambassadors was selected from a total of 34 applicants to be the Chiba Kun Ambassadors. These 20 ambassadors were picked from 11 countries of various parts of the world, including Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Taiwan, US, Vietnam. And to make things even more exciting, out of the 20 ambassadors, 18 of them are from the opposite sex. Now, tell me how I ain't excited this year lol!

I am glad to be selected as one of the 20 ambassadors this year, which, also marks my forth straight year being involved in this wonderful project. Although I have been involved in this project for the past three years, it does not mean I would be selected by default for the following year. I still had to apply from the basic and undergo the selection process, just like any other fresh applicants. To the selection committee, thank you very much for putting your trust in me once more.

Presented with my appointment certificate at the appointment ceremony, held at Chiba Prefectural Office.

So, what is Chiba Kun, you may ask.

Chiba Kun is a red creature designed by Chiharu Sakazaki (坂崎千春), the same artist who designed the penguin character on JR East Suica card. Born on January 11, 2007, Chiba Kun is often mistaken as a dog. But no, it is not a dog but a mysterious creature that lives in Chiba prefecture. Chiba Kun is said to be very curious and loves to take on a challenge.  When facing something unknown, he becomes even more courageous and passionate, and his body shines red.

The appointment certificate as the Chiba Kun Ambassadors 2014, together with a goodie bag which contains pamphlets, Chiba Kun Ambassadors limited-edition badge, keychain, etc.

Being the Chiba Kun Ambassadors, literally, we will be the ambassadors for this mysterious creature hahaha! The ambassadors will proactively explore Chiba prefecture both voluntarily and through prefecture-sponsored tours, which include cultural workshops and visits to famous spots in Chiba. The ambassadors will use these experiences to promote Chiba prefecture's attractions, which includes beautiful tourist spots, delicious local cuisine, interesting daily life, etc. in their mother-tongue language via various tools, like personal blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Besides that, from my three years as Chiba Kun Ambassadors, I was lucky to be selected to appear in local TV variety show - Nekketsu BO-SO TV, and also interviewed by Chiba TV. In addition to that, I was one of the guest runners representing Chiba Kun Ambassadors at the Chiba Aqua Line Marathon late October 2012.

The appointment certificates I got as Chiba Kun Ambassadors for four consecutive years.

Chiba Prefecture boasts the fact as the first place where the majority of tourist to Japan will first step their feet down into Japan - Narita International Airport which serves as the gateway to Japan. Besides that, Makuhari Messe, one of the most prominent convention centers in Asia and Kazusa DNA Research Institute, a world leader in cutting edge research also further strengthens Chiba Prefecture's position as an internationalised prefecture.

On the other hand, blessed with many beautiful natural areas surrounded with oceans and rivers that provide an abundance of fresh, delicious food, Chiba Prefecture is one of the leading producers of agricultural, forest and fish products in Japan. Among the well-known examples of local specialties from Chiba Prefecture are peanuts and sweet potatoes. About 78 per cent of the Japan's peanut are produced in this prefecture.

The limited-edition badges of Chiba Kun Ambassadors, and another two which I got as a token of appreciation from my involvement during the first two years.

At the end of the appointment ceremony, Mr. Ishikawa, the Director General of International Affairs Division, Policy and Planning Department of Chiba Prefectural Government came to me and gave me this encouraging words, "We will be replying heavily on you again this year." I do not treat those words as a burden, but instead a recognition as the most senior member among the 20 ambassadors. With the experiences I have gained from the past three years, I will give my best to support the newbies in introducing the shining, brilliant and energetic treasures and the endless potential of Chiba prefecture not only to people in Malaysia, but also in the whole world.

One of the major change since this project was started in 2011 was the replacement of the main coordinator. The bubbly and lovable Ishizaki-san has left and we welcome Usuii-san, who will lead us from this year onwards. Just like last year, there will be four tours and two cultural exchange event planned for us until March 2015. The two-day-one-night tour, which was first introduced last year, will be continued again this year.

The appointment ceremony was in the newspaper (Chiba Nippo), and also the evening news on Chiba TV.

The first tour is gonna be held in a fortnight's time. This time it will be visit to Katori and Sawara regions and I am really excited to meet up with the rest of the Chiba Kun Ambassadors at the first tour. Till then, stay tuned!

Related posts:

• Chiba Kun Ambassadors 2011
• Chiba Kun Ambassadors 2012
• Chiba Kun Ambassadors 2013