Iris Flower Watching in Mizumoto Park
The Japanese iris is an iconic element in traditional Japanese gardens. It is native to Japan and people have developed more than 2000 species from the original wild plants for more than 500 years. Especially during the Edo period, in the 17th to 18th century, a lot of new species were created. Since the shogun, the leader of Samurai, loved Japanese irises, his vassals presented it to the shogun when a rare variety was born. Various irises were gathered from all over Japan for the shogun. Also, Japanese iris gardens began to be created.
Strictly speaking, Japanese irises are classified into three types in Japan. They are Hanashōbu (Iris ensata), Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) and Ayame (Iris sanguinea). Hanashōbu (Iris ensata) have yellow lines at the base of the petals and grow in semi-dry wetlands. Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) have white streaks at the base of the petals and grow well near the water. Ayame (Iris sanguinea) have mesh patterns at the base of the petals and prefer a dry land.
Mizumoto Park, where we visit on a tour, is a huge park with an area of about 1 km². There is the largest Japanese iris garden in Tokyo, where you can see about 100 varieties and 14,000 irises. In the park, there are a lawn open space, a barbecue area, dog runs, and a children's playground. Also, the poplar tree avenue and the bird sanctuary are good places to feel nature.
The park stands next to a large pond called "Koai Tamei". When you see the beautiful waterside scenery of the pond and nature, you will forget that you are in Tokyo. The large pond was created in the Edo period by damming up the water of a river for flood control and agricultural irrigation. It is located on the border between Saitama prefecture and Tokyo. Until the early Edo period, it was a large river that connected to Tokyo Bay.
However, many river-improvement works were carried out to protect the town of Edo from floodings, the flow of the upstream had changed to the east and the amount of water of the river decreased. Finally, the river became a pond like today.
How to get to Mizumoto Park---------- The nearest station is the Kanamachi station(金町駅). It takes 30 mins from Tokyo station by taking JR Joban line. And take Keisei bus（京成バス） from the Kanamachi station and get off at the bus stop called Mizumoto Koen（水元公園）
Iris Flower Watching in Mizumoto Park | What to do in Tokyo in June | Tokyo Travel Tips
Live stream tour from Mizumoto Koen Park Tokyo.
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