Kairakuen Garden

Located in the garden, Kobuntei was built by Nariaki Tokugawa as a resting house. The traditional architecture consists of the main Kobuntei house, a wooden two-layer three-story building, and the one-story wooden inner palace. Nariaki himself specified the location and the architectural design, and the building showcases ingenuities and stylish taste in various aspects. Here, Nariaki invited numerous artists, retainers, and people from the domain and held events such as poetry readings and the assembly of elders. From the third floor, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Lake Senba, the Tazunaki plum grove and the Shikinohara field of seasonal flowers.

The Mito Plum Festival celebrates the arrival of spring from mid-February to March when the 3,000 plum trees of around 100 varieties come into bloom. With such a wide variety, the plums bloom at different times from early, middle to late bloomers, allowing visitors to enjoy viewing the plum blossoms for a long period. There are also many cultural events held during the festival period along with the plum blossoms in full bloom, including outdoor tea ceremonies, kimono rental booths, tasting of Mito specialties like plum wine and natto beans, as well as a Night Plum Tea Party in which the garden is gorgeously lit up by candle art and illuminations.