Kanto · IbarakiFlower
Watch late winter turn to spring among roughly 3,000 plum trees at Kairakuen, one of Japan’s three great landscape gardens.
Overview
Kairakuen in Mito was built in 1842 and is celebrated as one of Japan’s three finest gardens. Each late winter its plum groves erupt into bloom and the city holds the Mito Plum Festival, a weeks-long celebration of the ume flower that signals the coming of spring in the Kanto region.
With about 100 varieties flowering at different times, the garden rewards repeat visits across the season rather than a single perfect day.
When & Where
The 2026 festival runs from February 11 to March 22 at Kairakuen and the neighbouring Kodokan academy. Evening illuminations, branded UME The Lights, light the trees on Fridays, weekends and holidays from February 13 to March 15, roughly 18:00–20:30.
Nearest station: JR Mito Station, then a short bus ride.
Getting There
Mito is about 65 minutes from Tokyo’s Ueno Station on the Joban Line limited express. From JR Mito Station, buses reach Kairakuen in around 20 minutes; during the festival some rapid services also stop at the seasonal Kairakuen Station near the garden. An IC card such as Suica works throughout.
What to Expect
Roughly 100 plum varieties and 3,000 trees scent the air in white, pink and deep red, with a further 800 trees at the Kodokan. Tea is served in the historic Kobuntei pavilion, and on illumination evenings the blossoms glow against the dark garden.
Tickets & Access
Garden admission to Kairakuen is around 300 yen for adults, with an extra charge to enter the Kobuntei pavilion. The festival grounds and outer paths are largely free to wander.
Tips for Visitors
Early-blooming trees open from mid-February and late varieties last into late March, so check bloom reports before you travel. Weekday mornings are calmest; bring a warm coat, as February in Ibaraki is still cold.
Access and Map
| Dates | February 11 – March 22, 2026 (night light-up Feb 13 – Mar 15) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kairakuen Garden & Kodokan, 1-3-3 Tokiwacho, Mito, Ibaraki |
| Access | Bus ~20 min from JR Mito Station; seasonal Kairakuen Station during the festival |
| Admission | Kairakuen garden ~300 yen (adults); some areas free |
| Official site | Ibaraki Guide (Mito Plum Festival) |
Source: Ibaraki Guide (Mito Plum Festival)
Image: Photo: Etwas Neues / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
