Kairakuen Garden
One of Japan's three great gardens (with Kenroku-en and Korakuen) — a 13-hectare public garden opened by Lord Nariaki Tokugawa in 1842 with 3,000 plum trees of 100 varieties. The plum blossom festival (February–March) turns the garden into a fragrant pink-and-white landscape and is the largest plum festival in Japan.
1.5–2 hours
¥320
6:00–19:00 (Mar–Sep); 7:00–18:00 (Oct–Feb); free except during plum blossom festival (Feb–Mar, ¥320)
Late February–late March (plum)
Kairakuen Station on JR Joban Line (direct from Ueno, 65 min) — seasonal stop in plum season
Location
Why Visit
- 1
One of Japan's three great gardens — 3,000 plum trees of 100 varieties in a Tokugawa lord's garden
- 2
The Plum Festival (February 20–March 31) is Japan's largest plum blossom festival
- 3
The attached Kobuntei villa was the retreat of Tokugawa Nariaki — original 1841 interiors intact
Local Tips
One of Japan's three great gardens — most famous for its 3,000 plum trees (100 varieties) that bloom February–March. The Kobuntei villa inside the garden has excellent garden views from the second floor. Unlike Kenroku-en and Korakuen, entry is free most of the year. Combine with Kodokan domain school (5 min walk) for a full Mito historical day.
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