Although ranked on of the three great gardens of Japan, visitors should be aware that this garden is on a smaller and simpler scale than the other two. It is comprised of large blacks of cedar and bamboo grove, and very extensive plum orchards, and doesn't have so much to offer outside flowering season. I enjoyed the walk and vistas, and the visit to the rebuilt wooden Kobuntei house, which has an excellent tea-room (tea, coffee and cake only; no other catering in or near the gardens), but don't think this garden is worth a detour (except in the spring). The garden is cut off from the town centre by highways but ca be reached by buses leaving every 10 minutes from stop 4 on the north side of the station. I recommend photographing the map posted at that stop which explains how to complete the route on foot.

We then proceed to Kairakuen 偕楽園. It was built in Edo Period 江戸時代 by Nariaki Tokugawa 徳川斉昭, the 9th lord of Mito 水戸藩九代藩主. The name reflects the lord’s desire to create a place where people can enjoy together. After paying the entrance fee (300 yen) the East Gate leads to the big Touzai Plum Tree Forest, with more than 3,000 trees planted. In Spring it will be an amazing scene with all the trees blossoming. Kobuntei front gate 好文亭表門 is main gate of Kairakuen. The Moso Bamboo Grove 孟宗竹林 spreads out to the left from Kobuntei front gate. It is the largest moso bamboo groves in Japan, with cedar trees on the right. Kobuntei 好文亭 is a building with the communal hall the feudal lord designed himself, aiming to provide the space to enjoy with his citizens. Sendaidai 仙奕台 is a symbolic corner with stone chess boards. Kairakuen Monument 偕楽園記碑 has Nariaki’s handwriting, recording his views on universe, life, and attitude as a lord. Compared with Kenrokuen 兼六園I visited before, this garden is much less attractive unfortunately. Perhaps during the blossoming of the plum trees, it will be more interesting though.

Went during the plum blossoming season, maybe it's towards the end? On the 6th of March. But it's not as full and impressive as, say Hitachi Seaside Park close by for sheer spectacle. It's still a great park for viewing plum blossom, at this time of the year, in this cold, this is probably the place to go for parks and flower viewing. The food stalls outside serving plum tea plum wine plum souvenirs are a great vibe.

It's a lovely place, more like an orchard than what one envisions a Japanese garden to be. By public transportation it's a nice day trip and could be combined with Hitachi Seaside Park. During plum blossom season would be the best time to visit, with special events, street food, etc.

I came to Kairakuen Park a week or two before the cherry blossoms. I can see it being incredible during the right season. But it seems to be just alright every other time of the year. I've been to all 3 Great Gardens of Japan now and this one does not compare to the other two. Honestly, I've seen more attractive gardens in other places around Japan. I'd say it is worth it during cherry or plum blossom season, but not really worth going out of your way in the off season.

Sited in the heart of Mito city, Lake Senba is encircled by a 3 km walk, it is also at the foothill of Kairakuen Gardens. We stopped at the lake and then walked over a footbridge to the gardens. It is a strenuous walk up a steep hill. The gardens were planted by a Shogun, Takugawa Nariaki a powerful feudal lord who assisted in the restoration of the Meiji Emperor but opposed western intrusion in Japan. This was his park for his people to enjoy in peace, reflecting Nariaki’s desire to build a park open to the ordinary citizens of his domain. The plum bloom was coming to its end but the wisteria was a bit behind in budding. The azaleas were a delight to see. The park had a dedicated areas for cedar and bamboo forests, open spaces for music and tea ceremony. The views of the lake below were stunning. Walking past the azalea garden we saw Takugawa Nariaki’s house which is called Kobuntei but was closed for renovations. We stopped for a picture from a view point and noticed that it was where Nariaki was buried. The promontory overlooks Lake Senba and surrounding area.