Mito Plum Blossom Festival
Four Seasons in Mito
Welcome to Mito, the City of Plum Blossoms.
The “Mito Plum Blossom Festival,” which has a history of nearly 130 years, is held annually from mid-February to mid-March at [Kairakuen] and [Kodokan].
Invited by the fragrance of plum blossoms, why not embark on a journey to discover the beauty of Japan that is still unknown?
The 130th
Mito Plum Blossom Festival
Venue：Kairakuen・Kodokan
February 11(Wednesday)-March 22(Sunday), 2026
Venue Information
Kairakuen
Kairakuen, renowned as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, was established in 1842 by Tokugawa Nariaki, the 9th lord of the Mito Domain. The garden embodies Nariaki’s profound vision of the harmonious balance between “yin and yang.”
The “yin” world of dense bamboo and cedar groves and the “yang” world bathed in bright sunlight—this beautiful contrast is most vividly experienced during the Plum Blossom Festival when the “yang” world is adorned with blooming plum blossoms.
The garden features approximately 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties. During the Plum Blossom Festival, visitors can enjoy the blossoms over an extended period as the trees bloom in succession—from early to mid-season and late bloomers.
Entrance Fee Kairakuen:
| Adults: (High school students and older) | ￥320 |
|---|---|
| Children:(Elementary and middle school students) & Seniors (70 years and older) | ￥160 |
Kodokan
Kodokan, established in 1841 by Lord Nariaki Tokugawa, was Mito’s domain school and the largest of its kind in Japan. Today, it is renowned alongside Kairakuen as a famous spot for plum blossoms, with around 800 plum trees of approximately 60 varieties blooming beautifully.
Entrance Fee Kodokan
| Adults: (High school students and older) | ￥420 |
|---|---|
| Children:(Elementary and middle school students) & Seniors (70 years and older) | ￥210 |
Recommended Events
Various events are held during the Plum Blossom Festival. Enjoy viewing the plum flowers, participating in unique events from Mito and Japan, and creating wonderful memories of your trip to Japan.
*Tickets for the following events are available for purchase at the venue on the day.
Opening Ceremony
The opening of the Plum Blossom Festival will be celebrated with a warm welcome from Lord Mito Kōmon, the Mito Plum Ambassadors, the official mascot Mito-chan, and a lively performance by the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Band.
Date & Time: February 11 (Wed.) (National Holiday), from 11:00 a.m.
Venue: Miharashi Square, Kairakuen Garden
Kairakuen UME The Lights 2026
A Spectacular Light Experience Awaits at Kairakuen, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens Enjoy the enchanting beauty of Kairakuen at night.
venue：KAIRAKUEN
Event Dates: February 13 (Fri) – March 15 (Sun) (Held on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays).
Opening Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Last admission: 8:00 p.m.)
| Admission | Advance Sale: High school students & older: ¥800 Elementary & junior high school students: ¥400 Same-day Tickets: High school students & older: ¥1,000 Elementary & junior high school students: ¥500 Children under elementary school age: Free ※Advance tickets are available online only. ※For more details, please see the official website. |
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Mito Plum Maidens & Ambassadors Reunion
Representatives of the Mito Plum Maidens and Mito Plum Ambassadors, carrying on a proud tradition spanning 64 generations, will come together for a special gathering.
Date & Time: February 14 (Sat), from 10:00 a.m~
Venue: Miharashi Square, Kairakuen Garden
The 3rd Miyabi Sennin Kimono
Kimono, one of Japan’s most treasured traditional cultures admired around the world. This event invites you to experience a range of activities and cultural programs while dressed in kimono.
Date & Time: Feb. 14 (Sat) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venues: Miharashi Square, Kairakuen Garden / Noh Theater, Tokiwa Shrine
For more details, please see here.
Outdoor tea ceremony
Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in a casual, welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by plum blossoms in full bloom.
Dates & Time: Sundays only, Feb 22–Mar 15, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Venue: Miharashi Square, Kairakuen Garden
Fee: ¥600 per session (includes traditional sweets)
Martial Arts Demonstration
Members of the Mito Tobukan (Martial Arts Center) will showcase the results of their daily training through powerful martial arts performances.
Date & Time: February 28 (Sat), 10:00–11:30 AM
Venue: Kodokan, Taisijo (Martial Arts Training Hall)
Goken Kobai Hina Nagashi
This Hina Nagashi ceremony is hosted by members of the Goken district local community.
Date & Time: February 28 (Sat), 11:00–11:30 AM
Venue: Below Togyokusen Spring, Kairakuen / Tokiwa Shrine
Mito Hina Nagashi
This is a traditional Hina Nagashi ceremony that conveys the heritage of the castle town of Mito.
Date & Time: March 1(Sun), 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Below Togyokusen Spring, Kairakuen Garden
Mito Umeshu Original Cocktail Contest
From original umeshu (plum wine) cocktails specially created by shops across the city, the No.1 cocktail will be selected through a visitor popularity vote.
Date & Time: March 7(Sat), 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Miharashi Plaza, Kairakuen Garden
Night Plum Blossom Festival 2026 – Mito Castle
Enjoy the enchanting experience of viewing plum blossoms at night at the historic Mito Castle Ruins.
Date & Time: March 7(Sat), 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Kodokan, Mito Castle Ruins
For more details, click here.
National Umeshu Festival in Mito 2026
Enjoy tasting and comparing a wide variety of umeshu (plum wine) from across Japan, as well as unique creations such as umeshu beer and carefully paired umeshu and food pairings.
Date & Time:March 13 (Fri) – March 15 (Sun), 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Last day until 3:00 PM
Venue: Tokiwajinja Shrine
| Admission | Advance ticket: ¥1,400 Same-day ticket: ¥1,600 |
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Commemorative Photo Shoot with Mito Komon
Capture a special travel memory with a photo alongside Mito Komon.
Date & Time: Daily during the festival period, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Miharashi Plaza, Kairakuen Garden, and other locations
Kimono de Ume Festival
You can arrive empty-handed and enjoy a full kimono experience, including kimono dressing and hair styling. Once ready, enjoy exploring the surrounding area at your leisure.
Student discounts are available, and kimono dressing with your own kimono is also accepted.
Date & Time: Daily during the festival period, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Return by 5:00 PM
Reception: 2nd floor, Mito Mon no Mae
Notes:
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Open on February 11 / Closed on February 12
Advance reservation required
For more details, click here.
Kodokan Special Opening: Bagua Hall ・Confucius Temple / Main Gate Open to the Public
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from February 28 to March 8
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Main Gate open from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Kodokan Bagua Hall ・ Confucius Temple
Access Information
| Getting to Mito | About 75 minutes by limited express on the JR Joban Line (Ueno-Tokyo Line) from Tokyo Station. |
|---|---|
| To Kairakuen（from JR Mito Station） | From the North Exit Bus Terminal at Mito Station, take the bus to Kairakuen (about 15 minutes) from platform 4. Alternatively, you can take the bus to “Kairakuen” from platform 6 at Mito Station’s North Exit (about 15 minutes). |
| To Kodokan（from JR Mito Station） | Approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Mito Station North Exit |