Kairakuen Garden: A Peaceful Plum Blossom Retreat for the People

Kairakuen Garden

(Mito City, Ibaraki)

【Bai-en（梅園）】 is a garden or orchard where many plum trees are planted. Plum blossoms have long been cherished and celebrated in Japanese poetry. As early as the 8th century, aristocrats planted plum trees in their residence gardens and delighted in viewing their blossoms.

Plum blossoms bloom from mid‑February to mid‑March, when the air is still cold. White and red flowers open all at once with a faint, sweet scent, making them the earliest sign of the coming of spring. The blossoms add soft, bright colors and a warm feeling to the muted brown tones of the winter scenery.

Kairakuen, located in Mito City, is one of Japan’s most famous plum gardens. It was created in 1842 by Tokugawa Nariaki, the lord of the Mito domain (in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) and a member of the prestigious Tokugawa clan. Nariaki was known for his strict temperament and forceful political actions, earning him the nickname “the fierce lord.” In contrast to his character, the philosophy embodied in this garden reflects his compassion for the people of his domain.

A stone monument nestled in the garden conveys his philosophy:

“People should not only devote themselves to study and work, but also take time to rest their minds and bodies in the embrace of nature. Kairakuen was conceived as a place where people could gather, relax, and rejuvenate their spirits.”

This inscription reveals Nariaki’s desire to offer a peaceful retreat for his people—a place where they could escape the demands of daily life and rediscover a sense of balance and well-being.

Kairakuen stands on higher ground overlooking the gourd-shaped Lake Senba. The garden contains about 3,000 plum trees representing roughly 100 varieties. During the blooming season, the landscape is filled with red and white blossoms, creating a breathtaking view. Walking among the trees offers a calm and refreshing experience, letting you take in the gentle atmosphere of early spring.

At the edge of the high ground, there is a modest three‑story wooden building called Kōbuntei, with a commanding view of the lake. Tokugawa Nariaki invited scholars, retainers, and local residents here to enjoy poetry gatherings, tea ceremonies, and cultural exchange.

Inside, visitors can appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. The rooms feature sliding doors decorated with paintings of seasonal scenes—plum blossoms, peach flowers, and autumn foliage—allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of all four seasons. From the second‑floor room, you can admire a sweeping view of Lake Senba and, in the distance, Mount Tsukuba.

During the plum season, there is an area where visitors naturally smile—a special event space where plum wines gathered from all over Japan are sold. It is rare to find such a wide variety of plum wine in one place. You can enjoy local food along with the plum wine.

Please visit the Kairakuen Garden website.