Mito is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture in Central Japan. One of the major attractions of Mito is Kairaku-en (in English: "A park to be enjoyed together"), which is considered to be one of the best three gardens in Japan. Constructed by Tokugawa Nariaki in 1842, the park is known nationwide for its breathtaking ume (plum) trees. Many people come to the park in late February to view the spectacular blossoms, particularly during the Ume Festival.

These pictures were taken during a visit in March 1, 2008.

More pictures will be uploaded in the coming days...