Buzz
Every spring, the city of Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, is sure to leave you breathless as you immerse yourself in the pristine white, pink, or red hues of the blooming plum blossoms in Japan's largest Kairakuen Garden. Could it be that blooming in perfect harmony with nature, only then do plum blossoms reveal their simple yet captivating beauty?
Every spring, the city of Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, is sure to leave you breathless as you immerse yourself in the pristine white, pink, or red hues of the blooming plum blossoms in Japan's largest Kairakuen Garden. Could it be that blooming in perfect harmony with nature, only then do plum blossoms reveal their simple yet captivating beauty?
Kairakuen Garden is one of the three largest gardens in Japan, covering an expansive area of 13 hectares built by the lord of Mito, Tokugawa Nariaki (1800 – 1860), starting from 1841. The highlight of the garden is opening its doors to the public to enjoy the magnificent scenery of over 3,000 plum trees of 100 different varieties, competing to display their colors, illuminating the entire sky. Therefore, the garden named Kairakuen (Garden of Pleasure) is the symbol, the pride of the city's people every blooming season.
As mid-February to late March approaches each year, the plum blossom season extends for over a month, covering the vast gardens. You'll encounter ancient plum tree trunks, against a backdrop of lush white flowers, interspersed with vivid pink or red branches, bringing a warm and delightful spring season for onlookers. In Kairakuen Plum Garden, the Shirokaga variety dominates with around 450 trees, followed by Tojibai (150 trees), Yaekanto (130 trees), and the rest are mostly unnamed varieties, as gardeners graft them from the three aforementioned plum flower lines. The early-blooming flowers are called Hayazaki, including varieties such as Yaekanko, Shironaniwa, Yaetoji, and Rekkobai. Mid-season brings Nakazaki with the single-petaled Tsukikage plum blossoms exuding a charming fragrance, while late season Osozaki showcases Shirokaga, Kasugano, and Konanshomu plum varieties.
On the bushy branches, the plentiful plum blossoms cling to the branches, blooming into wide, mesmerizing blooms creating a picturesque scene of ethereal beauty. Some wanderers amidst the canopy of white powder resemble a charming and magical punctuation mark. Peeking through the white, pink, and red hues of blooming plum blossoms are the solemn ancient houses hidden behind lush green grass. Standing amidst the plum forest on a spring day feels like stepping into another world. The white plum blossoms bloom in clusters, their white strips floating like interwoven clouds, exuding an irresistible allure to anyone wandering into this haven.
Every year in Mito city, the Plum Blossom Festival (Ume Matsuri) takes place from February 20th to March 31st with many exciting events, attracting over 1 million visitors from around the world. When visiting the blooming plum season, you will encounter many graceful young women in kimono costumes, posing for souvenir photos with tourists, while passionately guiding and introducing various plum species, scents, colors, ages... These are the 'Plum Ambassadors' of Kairakuen Garden. The Plum Ambassadors' kimono costumes are also newly designed each year, based on the flower colors in the garden. Additionally, you can participate in street parades, watch Koto performances, and admire traditional local art exhibitions...
For the Japanese, when the plum blossoms bloom, it signifies the arrival of spring. If you wish to admire plum blossoms in February, start planning your trip to Ibaraki today. Standing before the plum forest at this time, you'll find it hard to resist the resplendent beauty of the plum blossom paradise covering Kairakuen Garden. An indescribable feeling of enchantment and elation.
Posted by: Adventure Seeker
Keywords: Enchanted by Kairakuen Garden
