Ume is the most favorite flowers for Japanese. It has beautiful combination of colors, such as red, light-red, pink, yellow, and white with sweet smell. It is little chilly to do Hanami party with Ume, but definitely beautiful flowers to enjoy.
At the southern part of Kanto region like Kanagawa prefecture, Ume is already blooming. Yugawara Bairin and Soga Bairin are one of the best Ume Hanami spots in Kanto region. Both are located around Odawara, so it is kind of far from Tokyo. However, the scale of the park (Bairin) is so huge. Especially, Yugawara Bairin has also great "Onsen," hot spring, and nice hiking courses. So, check out Yugawara Bairin by one day hiking, and visit "Onsen" at Yugawara for your next weekend.
If you don't have much time to visit those Ume spots, you can also check out Okurayama Bairin which is very small, but also has great collection of Ume trees. Okurayama is very close from Tokyo. It will only take 30 min. from Shibuya Station. They have also food stands and ceremony for the festival. Check Also, Ikegami Baien is another choice for you.
Enjoy Ume flowers for arrival of Japanese Spring. After you enjoy Ume flowers, Sakura is coming soon.
Kairakuen Garden (偕楽園) is one of three best Japanese Gardens ( 日本三名園). It is located Mito city, Ibaraki Prefecture. Kairakuen is also one of the most famous Ume, Japanese Plum, spots in Japan. From the end of February to middle of March, Ume flowers blooms and tells the arrival of Spring.
Tourist Info.
There is no admission fee expect Kobun House.
There is a parking, restroom and food stands.
During the Ume Festrival around the end of Feb. to the end of March, JR Joban Line stop at Kairakuen.
Access
0. at Mito Station.
1. use local bust to Kairakuen.
During Ume Festival, JR Joban Line (only the trains for Mito direction) stop at the entrance of Kairakuen.
190 JPY
1 hr. 30 min
New Wave Samurai Movie. 
映画好き集まれ！ 
