Before the "Sakura" blooms, let's go see the "Plum Blossoms" at Kairakuen Garden, one of the 3 most beautiful and famous gardens in Japan, located in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, just 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo (by Express train). There are 100 varieties of plum trees here, with more than 3,000 trees, making it one of the largest plum tree sites in Japan.

The Mito Plum Festival, a long-standing tradition that celebrates its 120th anniversary this year (2016), is held annually during the peak bloom of plum blossoms, also known as "Mito plums," from mid-February to March 31st. This festival is highly recommended for those who are chasing cherry blossoms that haven't bloomed yet. To compensate for the disappointment, you can take a train to Mito. The beauty is comparable.

*** Reasons to visit the "Mito Plum Festival" ***

1. This is a long-standing Japanese festival. In 2016, it marked the 120th anniversary of the Mito Plum Festival.

2. Just a short trip away, only 1 hour from "Tokyo".

3. Although the "sakura" trees haven't bloomed yet in February and March, you can still enjoy the beauty of over 3,000 "plum blossoms," which are just as stunning.

4. Enjoy a "Hanami" picnic, sitting and eating a lunch box in the middle of a plum blossom grove like the Japanese in Kairakuen Garden. It's amazing, I tell you.

(According to information from the website http://www.mitokoumon.com)

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Let's admire the beauty of "plum blossoms" together.

There is no caption because there are over 100 breeds. I can't really explain it, haha. Let's just enjoy the pictures!

The atmosphere inside the "Kairakuen" garden is filled with Japanese people strolling among the plum blossoms, enjoying a slow and peaceful life.

For those who visit during the day, it is recommended to buy a lunch box and sit and eat in the garden. This will give you the real "Hanami" atmosphere like in Japan.

Lunch boxes are available in a variety of styles, each with a "plum blossom" theme.

Plain rice is also sprinkled with salted plums, you know.

Another style, the box is also cute.

Bento

Sitting in the garden is so cool, you know.

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In addition to boxed meals, during the festival there are also stalls selling a wide variety of snacks.

Don't miss out on this must-try soft serve with a delicious plum flavor.

This cheese tart is soooo delicious!

Some of the food sold at the entrance to the park.

**The entrance to the garden is marked by a shrine where visitors can pay their respects.**

The side of the plum garden is a bamboo forest, which is very cold. It is impossible to walk in.

**For manhole cover collectors, this city has 2 designs.** Of course, there must be a plum blossom and Kairakuen Garden.

**Getting here from Ueno Station in Tokyo, take the Express train directly. It takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.**

It's about a 10-minute walk from Mito Station according to Google Maps. Alternatively, you can take a bus back.

We will walk along the railway tracks and pass this park first. Then, Kairakuen will be on the right-hand side. Cross the overpass from the park you see here.

On the way back, I took a bus from Kairakuen Garden back to Mito Station.

*********************** This concludes the review. *************************

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