Kairakuen Garden

Founded in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth lord of the Mito domain, Kairakuen was designed as a place of shared enjoyment for both the lord and common people. The garden is most famous for its plum grove, which erupts in blossoms from late February through March during the celebrated Mito Plum Blossom Festival. Beyond the plum season, the garden offers year-round beauty with bamboo groves, cedar forests, and a serene lake. The Kobuntei villa, a traditional wooden structure within the grounds, provides panoramic views over Lake Senba and the surrounding landscape.