This festival was established 1896 to commemorate the opening of a new stretch of railway between Mito and Ueno. The festival also marks the end of the Winter months and the start of Spring in Ibaraki. 

There are around 3000 plum trees of 100 different varieties in bloom during the festival, filling Kairakuen Garden with a riot of delicate pink and white blossoms. 

During the festival period a range of events take place in the gardens including umeshu (plum wine) tasting, traditional performances, a candle night and a fireworks display. If exploring the gardens and villa leaves you feeling peckish, there are plenty of stalls selling street food including plum festival exclusives such as soft plum daifuku sweet rice cakes, plum ice cream and many more. 

Information

• LOCATION・CONTACT

  LOCATION Mito Kairakuen, Mito-City

  CONTACT Mito Tourism Convention Association Tel: 029-224-1111

  WEBSITE http://www.mitokoumon.com/maturi/ume/ume.html

• ACCESS

  By public transport: 25 minutes' walk or 15 minutes by bus from JR Mito Station. During the plum blossom season, a limited number of express trains from Tokyo stop at a temporary station located just outside the entrance to the garden. Please see train timetables for more detailed information.

• HOURS・CLOSED・ADMISSION

  HOURS Blossom season: mid-February to late March Kairakuen Garden: 06:00 -19:00 (opening hours may vary by season)

  ADMISSION Kairakuen Garden Admission Fee Adults: ¥300 Children: ¥150 Group Discount Price (20 people or more) Adults: ¥230 Children: ¥120 Kobuntei Villa Adults: ¥200 Children: ¥100 Group Discount Price (20 people or more) Adults: ¥150 Children: ¥80