Mito Plum Festival

Ibaraki · Festival

Mito's plum festival runs from mid February into March at two sites: Kairakuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, with about 3,000 trees of some 100 varieties, and Kodokan, the old Mito domain school, with about 800 trees of some 60 varieties.

Dates

Expected February 2027

Every year from mid February to March. In 2026 it ran from 11 February to 22 March.

The next edition has not been announced yet. Confirm before you travel.

Check the official website

The festival was held for the 130th time in 2026. It uses two places in Mito. Kairakuen, laid out by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito domain, is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens and holds about 3,000 plum trees of around 100 varieties. Kodokan, the domain school founded in 1841, is near Mito Station and has about 800 trees of around 60 varieties around its old wooden buildings. Because the varieties flower early, mid season or late, something is usually out for most of the festival. How far along the bloom is depends on the winter: in 2026 Ibaraki Prefecture put it at about 20 percent on 30 January and expected the best of it from late February to early March. The festival period also changes the garden's rules. Kairakuen's main garden, normally 320 yen and free for Ibaraki residents, costs 500 yen for everyone while the festival is on. On set days, mostly weekends and holidays, a temporary JR station called Kairakuen opens beside the garden. It only has a platform for trains coming from the Tokyo side, so the way home starts at Mito Station.

Getting a good spot

Weekends near the peak of the bloom are the busiest days. Kairakuen temporary station only opens on certain days and has no platform for trains towards Tokyo, so everyone leaving by train goes through Mito Station. Kodokan is about eight minutes on foot from Mito Station and is usually the easier of the two sites to reach.

Seats and tickets

During the festival Kairakuen's main garden costs 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children, and the usual free entry for Ibaraki residents does not apply. Kobuntei, the lord's villa inside the garden, is a separate 230 yen. Kodokan costs 420 yen for adults. In 2026 the evening illumination in Kairakuen cost 800 yen in advance or 1,000 yen on the day.

Where it happens

Kairakuen Garden Main site One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Kairakuen is known for its collection of over 3,000 plum trees representing 100 v... Kodokan Mito Domain School A former Mito domain school with surviving historic buildings and plum trees near Mito Station.

Access

Common questions

When is the Mito Plum Festival in 2027?

The 2027 dates had not been announced in early November 2026. The festival is held every year from mid February into March; in 2026 it ran from 11 February to 22 March.

When do the plum trees look their best?

It depends on the winter. The varieties flower early, mid season or late, so some trees are usually in flower through the festival. In 2026 Ibaraki Prefecture expected the best of the bloom from late February to early March.

How much does it cost to get in?

During the festival Kairakuen's main garden is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children, including Ibaraki residents, who get in free the rest of the year. Kobuntei inside the garden is another 230 yen, and Kodokan is 420 yen for adults.

How does Kairakuen temporary station work?

JR East opens it only during the festival, on set days. In 2026 that meant weekends and holidays from 11 February to 22 March plus some weekdays in late February and early March. It has no platform for trains towards Tokyo, so it works for getting to the garden; for the way back, go to Mito Station.