Katori

Long considered an important shrine by the Imperial household, the present main shrine and tower gate were built in 1700 by orders from the fifth Tokugawa Shogunate. It houses the god of war/peace (depending on whether or not Japan is at war or peace). The shrine is surrounded by an impressive forest with huge trees, some of which have been given particular names.

An area along Onogawa River in Sawara with merchant houses and tradesmen's houses from Edo and Meiji eras. It has been selected by the National Government as an important traditional building group preservation district and has been used as a backdrop for several TV shows.

Located on the historical street. Ino Tadataka is famous for creating the first scientific, highly accurate maps of Japan.

Around 1.5 million irises of 400 different breeds bloom in late May to early June. There are also many other plants such as lotuses and water lilies. It is open daily except on Monday.

Sawara's summer and autumn festivals have been designated as an important intangible folk-cultural properties. This museum displays two floats used in those festivals.

Actually, there are 2 three-day long festivals each year. The summer festival is on a consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between July 9 and 18. The fall festival is on a consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, on the week of the second Saturday of October. During the festival around a dozen dashi (floats) are pulled and pushed around Sawara buy dozens of people. Inside each dashi are several men playing musical instruments. On top of each dashi is 1 or 2 boys with special sticks to push up the phone and electrical lines. The festivals are the highlight of the year in Sawara.