Mito’s plum festival centres on Kairakuen and Kodokan. Different varieties bloom at different times, so the festival dates alone do not tell you when the gardens will be at their fullest.
Mito Plum Blossom Festival dates
Usually February–March; flower conditions vary during the festival
Usual annual timing
Dates and times use JST. Usual timing is not a confirmed next-edition schedule. Read the organiser’s programme for start times, tickets, postponements and cancellations.
Where to watch
Mito · 水戸
Kairakuen and Kodokan, two separate gardens in Mito
偕楽園・弘道館
Kairakuen is at 1-3-3 Tokiwa-cho, Mito. Kodokan is at 1-6-29 Sannomaru, north of Mito Station. They are separate sites, not the endpoints of a procession.
The directions below use one representative location, not every venue entrance or the complete procession route. Use the official venue map for your ticket or programme.
Getting there by train or bus
Take a Joban Line limited express from Ueno to Mito, then a bus towards Kairakuen. Use the current JR stopping notice before relying on the seasonal Kairakuen station.
Planning your visit
Use official blossom updates to pick a date for flowers. Leave travel time between the two gardens instead of treating them as one continuous site.
This is an editorial travel suggestion, not a claim of a personal visit or a guarantee of the programme. When travelling from Canada, use your Japan arrival date to select the festival day.
What to look for
- Plum gardens
- Historic Kodokan buildings
- Seasonal garden events
History and traditions
The festival began in 1896 in connection with rail travel and special blossom-viewing trains. Kairakuen was founded by Tokugawa Nariaki.
Photo: wellflat . · CC BY 2.0. Original or supplied reduced image; no additional edits. See the original file for its date and context.
Nearby places to consider
Kodokan · 弘道館
The former Mito domain school, with historic buildings and plum gardens.
Explore its buildings as well as the blossoms; allow separate travel from Kairakuen.
The description and suggested visit refer to the first attraction listed. Other links are separate nearby options; festival traffic and opening hours may affect your plans.
Mito Plum Blossom Festival questions
When is Mito Plum Blossom Festival?
Usually February–March; flower conditions vary during the festival. Usual annual timing is not confirmation of the next edition.
How do I reach Mito Plum Blossom Festival by public transport?
Take a Joban Line limited express from Ueno to Mito, then a bus towards Kairakuen. Use the current JR stopping notice before relying on the seasonal Kairakuen station.
Are the plum blossoms in full bloom throughout the festival?
No. Varieties flower at different times. Read the blossom updates for Kairakuen and Kodokan alongside the event dates.
Official programme and sources
- Official reference · www.ibarakiguide.jp ↗
- Official reference · www.ibarakiguide.jp ↗
- Official reference · kodokan-ibaraki.jp ↗
Shared source records reviewed October 3, 2026. Some official pages are in Japanese. JapanLiveNow’s English guide is independently edited; the organiser’s latest announcement takes precedence.