Do you think that Tokyo is a big city so its main attractions are food and shopping? Wait a minute! Actually, Tokyo offers beautiful, authentic Japanese landscapes too. One of them is the Katsushika Shobu Matsuri in Katsushika City, located in the east of Tokyo. The festival is full of visitors every year because they can enjoy a Japanese-style festival spirit while viewing the beautiful irises. The exact date for this year have not officially locked yet, however according to the latest regional calendar in the past few years, it might be held in the mid of May.
About Katsushika Shobu Matsuri (Iris Festival)
Katsushika Shobu Matsuri is held at two locations: Horikiri Shobuen (Iris Garden) and Mizumoto Park. At Horikiri Shobuen, you can see approximately 6,000 irises of 200 varieties. Iris planting started here in the early 1800s; these historical irises were even depicted in Ukiyo-e (woodblock print) paintings, some of the finest Japanese art. Mizumoto Park, the other location, is known as the park with the largest body of water in Tokyo. While famous for cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in autumn, thousands of visitors come here during the festival to see approximately 14,000 irises of 100 varieties!
Charms of Hanashobu (Iris)
Many people think that iris flowers are only purple. However, they actually have a variety of colors such as white, light purple, and pink. It is said that iris breed improvement started around Horikiri Shobuen in the early 1800s, and as many as 200 varieties have been created so far. You can hardly find another place in Japan where you can see so many varieties of irises closely. You can enjoy their beauty up close or find your favorite variety while taking photos—there are so many ways to enjoy these beautiful flowers!
A variety of fun events on weekends
A variety of unique, fun events will be held at Horikiri Shobuen and Mizumoto Park every weekend during the Katsushika Shobu Matsuri.
Horikiri Shobuen: Outdoor tea ceremonies (Nodate) and Japanese drum performances will be held on the first weekend of June. Around Horikiri Shobuen Station, a parade typically takes place mid-festival (scheduled for June 7 in 2026), where you can see performances of Awa Odori, one of Japan’s traditional dances, and Eisa, Okinawa’s folk dance.
Mizumoto Park: Stage performances and music events organized by local students will take place on Saturdays and Sundays. An outdoor tea space will open next to the wisteria trellis, where you can rest while viewing the flowers. Outdoor tea ceremonies (Nodate) are scheduled for several weekends, where you can enjoy traditional matcha.
Recommended tourist attractions in Katsushika City
Since you are visiting the Iris Festival, it’s wise to check out other attractions in Katsushika. The Shibamata area is one of the most popular spots, offering a nostalgic town scenery of the early 1900s. It is a famous filming location where about 50 films have been shot. Around Shibamata Taishakuten, you can enjoy local specialties such as sweet dumplings (o-dango) along the temple approach.
Make sure to visit Yamamoto-tei, a famous hideaway spot in Shibamata! It combines authentic Japanese architecture from the early 20th century with the Western-influenced “Modern Japanese” style popular at the time. Its garden is consistently highly praised by international magazines, and many foreign tourists visit to experience its tranquil beauty.
Access to the two locations of Katsushika Shobu Matsuri and Shibamata area
Horikiri Shobuen: About a 10-minute walk from Keisei Line Horikiri Shobuen Station.
Mizumoto Park: Get off at JR or Keisei Kanamachi Station and take the Keisei Bus (Kin 61/62) to the Mizumoto Park stop. On weekends, the Kin 63 bus stops at Hanashobuen Stop.
Shibamata: Get off at Keisei Kanamachi Line Shibamata Station.
Note: The Katsushika Shobu Meguri Bus, a loop bus that stops at Horikiri Shobuen, Mizumoto Park, Kanamachi Station, and Shibamata Taishakuten, will run on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival.
