Kairakuen Garden

Kairakuen Garden in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, ranks among Japan's three great gardens alongside Kenrokuen and Korakuen. Feudal lord Tokugawa Nariaki established the garden in 1842 during the late Edo period, originally designing it as a place where both samurai and commoners could enjoy nature together—an unusual concept for its time. The garden's name translates to "a park to be enjoyed together with people," reflecting Nariaki's progressive vision of shared public space.

The garden's primary fame comes from its spectacular plum grove, featuring over 3,000 plum trees representing approximately 100 different varieties. These trees create one of Japan's most celebrated plum blossom displays each spring, typically from late February through March. The garden distinguishes itself through its deliberate contrast between the cultivated inner garden, Kobuntei, and the outer garden's wilder cedar forest, embodying traditional Japanese landscape design principles that balance refinement with natural beauty.

Visitors can explore the Kobuntei house, a traditional two-story wooden building where Tokugawa Nariaki once entertained guests and composed poetry. The structure offers panoramic views across the garden and toward Lake Senba. During plum blossom season, the annual Mito Plum Festival transforms the grounds with food stalls, traditional performances, and evening illuminations. Outside peak season, the garden remains attractive with bamboo groves, cedar forests, and seasonal flowers including azaleas and bush clover.

Kairakuen sits approximately 2 kilometers from Mito Station, the prefectural capital. From Tokyo, the journey takes roughly 70 minutes via the JR Joban Line limited express to Mito Station. During plum blossom season, a temporary Kairakuen Station operates directly beside the garden, otherwise visitors take a 15-minute bus ride from Mito Station or walk approximately 30 minutes.