Kairakuen, meaning ‘garden to be enjoyed together,’ was created in 1842 by a Mito feudal lord who deliberately opened it to the public, a progressive gesture for its time that gave the garden its name. Ranked among Japan’s three great landscape gardens alongside Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen and Okayama’s Korakuen, Kairakuen is famed above all for its roughly 3,000 plum trees of some 100 varieties, which bloom in a fragrant wave of white, pink and red each February and March during the annual Plum Blossom Festival.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Mito, Ibaraki |
| Hours | ~6:00–19:00 (seasonal variation) |
| Admission | Around ¥300 (free during some early-morning hours) |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Mid-February–March (plum blossoms) |
What to See
- Roughly 3,000 plum trees across some 100 varieties.
- Kobuntei, a rebuilt traditional villa with garden views.
- A bamboo grove and cedar forest contrasting the open plum groves.
- The annual Plum Blossom Festival each February–March.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Mito Castle Remains sightseeing.
- Pair with Mito Natto tasting.
- Read our Ibaraki overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Mito Station, then bus or a 25–30 min walk; special seasonal ‘Kairakuen Station’ opens during peak plum season.
- By car: roughly 1.5–2 hours from central Tokyo.
Tips
During peak bloom, JR opens a temporary station (Kairakuen Station) directly beside the garden for a few weeks — check if it’s operating during your visit. Early morning hours before the standard opening time are sometimes free to enter, a local tip for a quieter, budget visit.
