Kairakuen Garden, Mito
Everyone knows and loves Japan’s cherry blossoms. But there is so much more to see. For 2026, Japan’s flower season starts with plum blossoms (February–March) and hits its peak with cherry blossoms (sakura), which bloom earlier than average, appearing in Tokyo around March 17-20 and spreading through April.
Other highlights include late-March wisteria, April azaleas, and early-summer hydrangeas. And if you are still in Japan for longer, its autumn colours are extraordinary.
The other day I visited Kairakuen Garden in Mito to see the most wonderful plum blossoms. This garden is ranked among Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama.
The garden was established in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth feudal lord of the Mito Domain. It has since served as a place of relaxation and recreation for the public.
Indeed Kairakuen is famous for its Plum Blossom Festival (Ume Matsuri) held from late February to early March. It is home to around 3,000 plum trees from 100 different varieties. Cherry blossoms and azalea in the spring and Japanese bush clovers in autumn keep Kairakuen looking beautiful year-round.