Asagao of Iriya became popular in the end of Edo period. Asagao was planted by lower samurai at Okachimachi. After the fall of Shogun and Samurai period, those Samurai became nurserymen. Because of their high quality, it became very famous. At the best moment, there are about one thousands kinds of Asagao in Iriya.

However, as the modernization of Tokyo, all of Asagao nurserymen lost their jobs, and Asagao Matsuri was abandoned in Taisho era.

Asagao Matsuri was restarted after WWII to restore the energy of Edo period, and today it becomes one of the very popular Matsuri in Tokyo.

Asagao, Japanese Morning Glory
Asagao blooms 10 hours after Sunsets. So, in summer time, it blooms about 4 a.m. The flowers keeps about 2 to 3 hours. One bowl would bloom about 300 to 400 flowers in a season and 20 to 30 flowers every morning. Therefore, you can enjoy Asagao for a month.