Kairakuen is counted as one of the three Japanese beautiful gardens along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kourakuen in Okayama. Kairakuen was completed in the year 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, Mito’s ninth feudal lord. Since then, this garden has served as a place of recreation for the public.

Kairakuen is famous for the Plum Blossom Festival (Ume-matsuri), which takes place from the end of February through March. Approximately 3,000 plum trees of 100 different types are planted. Kairakuen shows us seasonal beauty such as Cherry Blossoms and Azalea in spring, and Bush Clover in autumn.