Itako Iris Festival

Last Saturday Drew, Tressa and I headed to the city of Itako, Ibaraki for their annual Ayame Masturi (Iris Festival). Itako is famous for their irises!! Every year thousands of people flock to see over 500 varieties of Irises, take a ride in little boats down the town canals and possibly see a bride taking a ride towards her wedded future.

Since it was the first weekend of the festival, the flowers were only about 30% in bloom, there was no traditional dancing going on and we didn't we didn't see any brides in traditional white kimonos... we might have to go back later in the month. But other than not seeing any of the cool stuff... it was a good day for a drive and the company was pleasant.

After we left the festival, we took a different route home and stopped by our favorite southern Tsukuba restaurant ... "ALI KABOBS". MMmmmmm lamb donner and the cute waiter with a ponytail. GOOD TIMES!!!