Kairakuen Garden

偕楽園

Kairakuen is a large garden in Mito and is counted among Japan's three most beautiful gardens. It was created in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth lord of the Mito Domain, as a place where people could rest. The garden is famous for about 3,000 plum trees, which bloom during the Plum Blossom Festival from late February to early March. Visitors can also see the Kobuntei building.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: Main Garden: 6:00–19:00 from mid-February to September 30, and 7:00–18:00 from October 1 to mid-February.
Closed: The Kobuntei building is closed from December 29 to January 3.
Admission: Main Garden: adults 320 yen, children 160 yen (individual visitors).
Getting there: From Mito Station, walk 20–25 minutes or take a bus for about 15 minutes.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Wheelchairs can be rented free of charge, but wheelchairs are not allowed inside the Kobuntei.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Eating and drinking are not allowed inside Kobuntei, the historic villa in the garden.
Photography is allowed, but tripods may not be used inside Kobuntei.
Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Ibaraki and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.