Plum blossoms at Kairakuen in Mito

Kairakuen in Mito is one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama. With over 100 varieties and 3000 plum trees, Kairakuen is known for its plum blossoms. The garden was built to be enjoyed by then ruling family and the locals, and the plum blossom season (typically from mid February to late March) is without a doubt a popular time to visit Kairakuen.

Today, I arrived to the garden to open blossoms and a bustling atmosphere. The petals of some early-blooming plum blossoms had already started to fall, but thanks to the sheer number of varieties from early-blooming to late-blooming ones, there were still plenty of flowers to see. I expect the plum blossoms at Kairakuen to remain attractive till late March.

Limited express train and plum blossoms
Looking down Kairakuen from Kobuntei, a traditional Japanese-style building in the garden
Plum blossom viewing parties have been held at Kairakuen Garden for centuries
Plenty of plum trees
Sit down to enjoy the nice views

This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Mito Plum Festival, which is held from February 11 to March 22, 2026. During this period, the following festivities are held at Kairakuen:

  • Evening light up on Fridays, weekends and national holidays until March 15, 2026, from 18:00 to 20:30 (entry until 20:00). Note that on light up days, the garden closes once at 17:00 before reopening at 18:00.
    Admission fee: 1000 yen
  • Japan Umeshu Festival on March 13-15, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00 (until 15:00 on March 15). A plum liquor (umeshu) event featuring umeshu from all across Japan.
    Admission fee: 1600 yen
There are some food and drink stalls in the garden during the festival period
Kobuntei on the left and the large lawn area
More walking in the plum tree grove
Some plum trees have gnarly branches and trunks
There was a faint sweet smell in the garden thanks to the plum blossoms
Accessible-friendly viewing trails
Couple strolling through the garden
Lovely day to be out
More blossoms to open over the next few days
My timing was not good to see a train pass when I walked past this area

Another place to see plum blossoms in Mito is at Kodokan, a school for the children of local samurai during the mid 1800s. The former school has a nice plum grove with a number of plum tree varieties. I expect the plum blossoms here to remain attractive till late March.

Plum grove by the Kodokan
Striking blossoms
I heard one visitor say their neck was hurting from looking up at all the blossoms all day. Same.
Entrance to the plum grove
The petals of this plum tree variety had what looked like a light green tinge or bluish-white according to the tree description label
The plum grove takes about ten minutes to walk through, longer if you stop to smell and appreciate the flowers
Kodokan building behind the plum trees
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