Hello, fellow travel lovers!
As spring approaches, I visited the Kairakuen Plum Festival in Ibaraki!
This time, I’ll introduce a day-trip plan by car! Surrounded by the scent of plum blossoms, enjoying beautiful scenery, and ending the day with a relaxing hot spring—it's the perfect getaway.✨
🌸 First, immerse yourself in plum blossoms at Kairakuen!
🚗 Arrival: Kairakuen Omotemon Gate – Kobuntei Omotemon Parking Lot (500 yen per visit)
When it comes to Kairakuen, it's all about plums! Plums! Plums!
Around 3,000 plum trees bloom across the vast grounds, painting the landscape in shades of white, pink, and red—heralding the arrival of spring. Strolling leisurely while admiring the blossoms is the ultimate luxury. 🌸
📍 Kobuntei
A breathtaking spot inside Kairakuen, Kobuntei is a graceful building once loved by feudal lords. The view of the plum garden from the second floor is simply stunning! So this is what a lord’s perspective looks like…?!
📍Tokiwa Shrine
A historic shrine located right next to Kairakuen. After enjoying the plum blossoms, stop by to pray for a safe journey and good fortune! (And maybe for plenty of delicious food along the way…🙏)
For more details, check out the blog below! ↓
🌸 After fully enjoying the plum blossoms, it's time to head to the next spot!
↓ 🚗 12 minutes (3.5 km) → To Kodokan's free parking lot (13 spaces)
📖 Experience history at Kodokan
This was the domain school of the Mito Clan and is one of the largest historical buildings of its kind in Japan.
A place where Edo-period elites once studied, it's a must-visit for history enthusiasts!
Inside, you'll find a wealth of exhibits on the academics and martial arts of the time.
"If I had studied in a place like this, maybe I’d be a genius by now…? (Yeah, probably not.)"
For more details, check out the blog below! ↓
↓ 🚗 23 minutes (13.4 km) → Shiosai no Yu (Free parking available)
♨️ Finally, relax at Shiosai no Yu
The perfect way to end the trip… a hot spring!
A breathtaking open-air bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean—relax while feeling the sea breeze. ♨️
"From the scent of plum blossoms to the scent of the sea… it's a journey of fragrances!"
For more details, check out the blog below! ↓
🚗 Summary: The ultimate route combining plum blossoms, history, and hot springs!
✅ Enjoy the plum blossoms at Kairakuen (with Kobuntei & Tokugawa Shrine!)
✅ Explore history at Kodokan (Feel like an Edo-era elite!)
✅ Ultimate relaxation at Shiosai no Yu (Hot springs and fresh seafood to finish!)
Plum blossoms, history, and hot springs! It was the perfect day-trip experience. ✨
Where should I go next?
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
