[Ibaraki ]Two plum blossom viewing spots decorated with red and white flowers in early spring.
![[Ibaraki ]Two plum blossom viewing spots decorated with red and white flowers in early spring.](https://assets.deep-exp.com/assets/img/uploads/media/980/main_front_detail.jpg)
2025-02-19
As the severe cold eases and the arrival of spring is felt, ume (plum) blossoms begin to bloom. There are many attractive plum blossom viewing spots scattered throughout Japan. There are many ume viewing spots in Ibaraki Prefecture, and we will introduce two of them, Kairakuen Garden and Tsukuba-san Plum Grove.
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Table of Contents
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Kairakuen Garden (Mito City)
"Kairakuen Garden, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan "
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Kairakuen Garden is a Japanese garden located in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one of "Japan's three most famous gardens "along with Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and Korakuen Garden in Okayama. The garden is one of the most popular plum blossom viewing spots in Japan, with around 3,000 ume trees of about 100 varieties planted in the garden. Usually from mid-February to late March, red and white plum blossoms color the park with the seasonal colors of early spring. The "Mito Plum Festival "is held during the best time to view the plum blossoms.
Kairakuen was opened on July 1, 1842, by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth lord of the Mito domain in the Edo period (1603-1868), who, after a tour of the domain in 1833, conceived the idea of cutting through Mt. Shichimen, which rises to the northwest of Lake Senba in Mito, to create a circular garden. "The name Kairakuen is derived from Nariaki Tokugawa's wish that the garden would be a place where "people could enjoy together. In the center of the garden, overlooking Senba Lake, there is a monument that describes the purpose and progress of the establishment of Kairakuen by Nariaki Tokugawa.East and West Plum Groves where ume trees grow in clusters
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Even within the 13-hectare Kairakuen grounds, the most clustered plum trees are in the East and West Plum Groves in front of the East Gate as you enter the garden. From the gate, the plum grove extends as far as the eye can see.
The plum grove is lined with easy-to-walk garden paths that wind through the plum trees. Strolling along the path, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the plum blossoms connected to each other, making it a veritable flower garden.
Numerous benches are set up along the parkway so that visitors can sit and relax while viewing the plum blossoms.From the viewing plaza bordering the east-west plum grove to the south, red and white plum trees form a band toward Senba Lake in the south.
The lotus pond at the west end of the garden, near the west gate, will also be bordered by plum blossoms. The colors of the plum blossoms reflected on the calm surface of the water will give you a sense of harmony.Selected from about 100 varieties of ume (Japanese apricot) "The Six Famous Trees of Mito "
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At Kairakuen, research and investigation of ume varieties is conducted. Of the approximately 100 varieties growing in the garden, six were selected for their particularly outstanding flower shape, fragrance, and color, and were designated in 1934 as "Mito's Six Famous Plum Trees ". "The six species are: "(Rekkoubai) , "(Shiro-naniwa) ", "(Tsukikage) ", "(Konanshomu) ", "(Yanagawashidare) ", "(Toranoo) ". Each of the six famous trees is surrounded by a hexagonal fence, making them easy to find.
"Shiro-Namba "is a wild ume type, Namba variety, with white double-petaled flowers. It has been actively cultivated in the Hokuriku region since the Edo period (1603-1868) as a seed plum rather than a flowering plum, and was processed into pickled plums.
"The flowers of Tsukikage "are single, medium-sized, single-petaled blooms of pure white flowers. The branches and sepals are green and strongly fragrant. This flowering plum is often cultivated as a bonsai or potted plant.
"Yanagawa Edahitate "has medium-sized, single-petaled flowers of light red. It is native to China, but is estimated to have been introduced to Japan in ancient times.
"Tiger's tail "has white or light red flowers. It often has thin, spiny twigs and is highly fragrant. It seems to have been named "tiger's tail "because of the way the stamen bends and the flagellum resembles a tiger's tail.Kobun-tei, where you can get a bird's eye view of the whole area.
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At Kairakuen, about 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties grow, including "Mito's six famous trees ". From Kobun-tei, which borders the west side of the viewing plaza, you can get a bird's-eye view of the entire plum grove. The name "Kobun-tei" is derived from ", another name for plum trees: ". It is said that Prince Nariaki personally selected the location of the building and designed the interior and exterior of the building.
The two-story, three-story building exudes a simple and elegant atmosphere with a samurai air. In the pavilion, poetry and other events such as poetry contests were held, attracting many writers, artists, vassals, and people from the local community. In addition to the Ume-no-Ma (Plum Room), there are other rooms such as the Peach Room, Azalea Room, Hagi Room, and Autumn Leaves Room, each of which is decorated with fusuma paintings."During the Mito Ume Festival ", numerous stalls will line the streets around the East Gate. In and around the Mihari-hiroba, visitors will be welcomed by Koumon-sama's group, Mito's Ume Ambassador, and Mito-chan, and will be treated to an outdoor tea ceremony, fireworks, a hina-nagashi (hina float), a national ume wine festival, a photo contest, the Mito Natto Natto Quick Eating World Cup, hospitality by the Mito Ume Ambassador, the Kimono de Ume Festival, free photo opportunities with Koumon-sama and his group, a Mito Roman rickshaw service, and a velotaxi service, Mito Roman rickshaw service, velotaxi service, and many other events are planned.
Souvenirs of Mito related to Nariaki Tokugawa
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Souvenir stores are clustered around the east gate of Kairakuen Garden. Each store sells a wide variety of souvenirs, including Mito ume, noshi-ume, ume yokan, kairaku umeboshi, Mito ume komachi, and other processed ume foods, as well as Mito natto related products and Mito Komon related goods.
The method of preserving ume fruit invented by Nariaki Tokugawa was applied to ume in Mito. Dried plums were rolled in shiso to make a confection called hoshi no ume (star plum). Later, the process was improved and the bean paste was wrapped in gyuhi, then wrapped in shiso leaves soaked in plum vinegar to form the shape of a plum seed.
Noshi-ume is said to have originated from Kansanjo, a dry acid tablet conceived by Nariaki Tokugawa. It is a jelly-like Japanese confectionery made by simmering ume fruit with sugar and agar and wrapping it in bamboo bark. It is characterized by its refreshing sourness and tortoiseshell color, and has been eaten to ward off the heat.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Kairakuen Garden
Address: 1-1251 Mikawa, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone number 029-244-5454
Opening hours: Mid-February to September 30=6:00 to 19:00 / October 1 to mid-February=7:00 to 18:00
Adults=300yen/Little people=150yen
Access 20 min. by bus from "Mito Sta. on the JR Joban Line "
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Kobuntei
Address: In the main garden of Kairakuen, 1-3-3 Tokiwa-machi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone number 029-221-6570 (Goodwill Pavilion)
Hours: Mid-February to September 30=9:00 to 17:00 / October 1 to mid-February=9:00 to 16:30
Closed December 29 through 31
Admission Adult=200 yen / Child=100 yen / Over 70 years old=100 yen
Access Kairakuen Garden
Tsukuba Plum Grove (Tsukuba City)
Mt. Tsukuba, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan
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Tsukuba Plum Grove extends halfway up Mount Tsukuba, which rises in the northern part of Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. In early spring, usually from mid-February to late March, the area is enveloped in the colors of the season. The "Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival "is held during the best time to view the plum blossoms.
Mt. Tsukuba is sometimes referred to as "Fuji to the west and Tsukuba to the east "and is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. The mountain is unspoiled by human activity, and the 877-meter-high mountainside has a different appearance each season. Rare plants grow in clusters, and many people visit the mountain for climbing and hiking throughout the year. Ropeways and cable cars make it easy to reach the summit without having to climb hills. The two peaks of Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyotai are connected, and the mountain has flourished as a mountain of faith since ancient times. Tsukuba Shrine stands halfway up the mountain.Tsukuba Plum Grove, where around 1,000 red and white plum trees are planted halfway up Mt.
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Tsukuba Plum Grove is a municipal plum grove located about 250 meters above sea level, halfway up Mount Tsukuba, and is one of the representative attractions of the Mt. The 4.5-hectare slope is planted with around 1,000 red and white plum trees.
Tsukubaishi, or giant stones, lie scattered all over the ground in the plum grove. Geologically speaking, the stone is classified as a mottled ray rock. It is blackish in color, rounded with few corners, and has a rough surface. The scenery of the megaliths covered with plum blossoms seems to have a unique flavor unique to Mt.
The stream is crossed upstream by bridges such as Seseragi Bridge, Kaneore Bridge, and Ougi Bridge, making it an ideal viewing spot for plum blossom viewing. From viewing platforms such as Hishiro-dai and Mimagari-edai, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of ume blossoms.A winding wooden path leading from a viewing arbor at the top that offers a panoramic view of the ume grove.
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At the top of the plum grove is a viewing arbor rising out of the mountainside.
From the viewing arbor, you can not only see the entire view of the plum grove below, but also the rural landscape at the foot of the mountain and the school town of Tsukuba. Fuji and the Tokyo Sky Tree can also be seen, weather permitting.
An easy-to-walk wooden path leads from the private parking lot to the viewing arbor. The slope is gentle enough for everyone from small children to the elderly, and even those with disabilities to walk up and down without difficulty. The 130-meter long winding path blends in with the surrounding plum blossoms. As the view created by the plum blossoms gradually changes angles, your steps will surely become lighter.
"During the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival ", a special stage will be set up in the plaza near the Mt. A variety of events are planned at the plaza, including the New Sake de Mt. Tsukuba Local Sake Fest, Tsukuba Wine Fest, Tsukuba Tourism Ambassador Welcome, and a demonstration of the famous Mt.
The road from the entrance to the plum grove to the Otorii (Grand Gate) of the Tsukuba Shrine to the east serves as a sort of approach to the shrine. The street is lined with souvenir stores and restaurants on both sides. Each store sells a variety of Tsukuba souvenirs, such as Shigaraki-ware Shiroku-gaki gama dolls, gama oil, gama rice crackers, and fukure mikan chili peppers. Gamma oil is expected to have cardiotonic, analgesic, local anesthetic, and hemostatic effects.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Tsukuba-san Bairin (Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove)
Address: 1688 Numata, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone number: 029-883-1111 (Tsukuba City Economic Department Tourism Promotion Division)
Gardening material No material
Access Tsukuba Express "Tsukuba Station ", take the direct Mt. Tsukuba shuttle bus to ", get off at Tsukuba Shrine Entrance "stop, and walk about 10 minutes.
Official Web Site
summary
This article introduced two of Ibaraki Prefecture's best plum blossom viewing spots, Kairakuen Garden and Tsukuba Plum Grove. "Kairakuen, one of Japan's three most famous gardens ", has around 3,000 ume trees of about 100 varieties planted. "It has also been selected as one of Mito's Six Famous Plum Trees "and is one of the best plum viewing spots in Japan. Tsukuba, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, has a plum grove on the slope of its hillside.
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