Kairakuen Garden

One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Established by Tokugawa Nariaki as a place “for enjoyment by all together”

Kairakuen, counted among Japan’s Three Great Gardens along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama, was opened in July 1842, in the 13th year of the Tenpo era, by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito Domain, as a place of rest for the people of the domain.

Entering through the main gate, you will find a grove of Moso bamboo, and descending further you will come to Togyokusen, a spring that continuously bubbles forth water, and Kobuntei, a highlight of the garden that was personally designed by Tokugawa Nariaki himself.

Around 100 varieties and 3,000 plum trees are planted in Kairakuen, heralding the fragrant arrival of early spring. Beginning with the Plum Festival from late February to mid-March, the garden’s flowers mark the seasons throughout the year, with cherry blossoms, azaleas, hagi in autumn, and winter-blooming cherry trees in early winter.

▸ Kobuntei

Located near the center of the garden, Kobuntei consists of the main building, a two-story, three-level wooden structure, and Oku-Goten, a single-story wooden annex, and is said to have been designed by Tokugawa Nariaki himself. It is said that poets, scholars, retainers, and local residents were gathered here for poetry gatherings and social events.

▸ Strolling Through the Garden and Enjoying the Worlds of “Yin” and “Yang”

Kairakuen is also said to have been designed with the concepts of “yin” and “yang” in mind.

The “yang” world, bathed in sunlight and filled with the fragrant plum blossoms of early spring,
and the “yin” world, with its moist and tranquil stillness that evokes a sense of mysterious beauty.

Enjoying this contrast is one of the unique charms of Kairakuen.

A recommended route is: Kobuntei Main Gate → Moso Bamboo Grove → Togyokusen → Kobuntei.

Kairakuen’s main gate survived the fires of war in 1945 and remains standing after several repairs since the garden’s founding. Entering from here and proceeding through the bamboo grove and the cedar grove to Kobuntei allows you to experience the “worlds of yin and yang” envisioned by Nariaki.

Passing through the modest main gate, you will immediately find the bamboo grove on the left. More than 1,000 Moso bamboo, Japan’s largest bamboo species, are planted here. Together with the large cedar trees on the right, the area remains surrounded by greenery throughout the year, calming the hearts of visitors.

The Kairakuen area was once abundant with spring water, which was believed to be effective for eye ailments. Considering the landscape, Nariaki installed a self-sustaining spring with a white stone well curb. It stands in contrast to Gyoryusen, the oldest fountain in Japan, located below Sakurayama. The current well curb is the fourth generation, and about 100 tons of water spring forth each day.