Night Plum Festival

Overview

The Yoru-Ume Matsuri (Night Plum Blossom Festival) is a nighttime plum-viewing event held in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, at two main venues: Kairaku-en, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, and Kodokan, the largest domain school in Japan, along with the Mito Castle ruins. Unlike daytime plum festivals, this event specializes in nighttime illumination and projection mapping, creating a fantastical atmosphere . It is positioned as the nighttime version of the Mito Plum Blossom Festival, offering visitors two different sets of lighting designs at the two venues, allowing them to experience two contrasting atmospheres in a single night.

This festival was first held in 2006 and has been conducted annually ever since, establishing itself as a representative seasonal event in Mito marking the transition from winter to spring. Kairaku-en is known for a garden composition attributed to Tokugawa Nariaki that contrasts yin and yang, and the illumination of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri likewise draws out the distinct character of the bamboo grove and the plum grove. Formally written as Yoru-Ume-Matsuri, the event is organized by the Mito Plum Blossom Festival Executive Committee and managed by the Mito Junior Chamber. It takes place only on specific designated days during the Mito Plum Blossom Festival period, generally between mid-February and mid-March.

History and Origins

The origin of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri dates back to the idea of creating an event that would allow visitors to enjoy nighttime plum viewing as part of the larger Mito Plum Blossom Festival. The first event in 2006 was held in the square in front of the west gate of Kairaku-en, under the theme "Enjoy Mito Komachi Together" . That year, handmade bamboo lanterns were installed, and a food booth promoting locally produced and consumed items attracted attention, drawing approximately 6,000 visitors. Free wooden tags branded with a seal were distributed to attendees, which became a signature item of the festival.

The second event in 2007 was moved to the lookout plaza of Kairaku-en and attracted about 14,000 visitors. The theme was "A path for a spring-scented walk in the light of candles," and the illumination of the plum grove was enhanced. The Noh stage of Tokiwa Shrine was added as a venue, and 1,000 candles wrapped in washi paper were placed in front of Kobuntei, a building within the garden. This scene was featured in a newspaper article the next day, raising public awareness. The third event in 2008 drew about 19,000 visitors, and the fourth in 2009 attracted about 24,000, showing a steady increase in attendance.

The sixth event in 2011 saw the cancellation of the after-party due to the closure of Kairaku-en following the Great East Japan Earthquake, though the main event was held. Starting from the 10th event in 2015, Kodokan was added as a second venue, creating a two-venue system. From 2020 to 2022, normal operations became difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the 15th event in 2020 was canceled under government requests for self-restraint, and subsequent events were held on a reduced scale or in alternative formats. In 2023, both Kodokan and Kairaku-en held their first full-scale event in four years, with the fireworks finale revived.

As of 2026, the Yoru-Ume Matsuri is held as "Yoru-Ume Matsuri 2026 Mito Castle" primarily at Kodokan and the Mito Castle ruins. Concurrently, "Kairaku-en UME The Lights" is held at Kairaku-en, and a shuttle bus connecting these two events ensures that visitors can enjoy both in a single night . The Mito Plum Blossom Festival itself began in the Meiji era and has been held well over a hundred times, and the Yoru-Ume Matsuri has taken root as its nighttime counterpart.

Highlights

Bamboo Lanterns and Candle Art A symbol of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri is the handmade bamboo lantern. This tradition has continued since the first event, with lanterns made of bamboo frames containing candles or LEDs, scattered softly lighting up the garden paths. The gentle glow illuminates the cobblestones and plum branches, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of old Japanese nights. At the lookout plaza, candle art is also displayed, with thousands of candles forming fantastical patterns .

Kasane-iro-me (Layered Color) Illumination in the Plum Grove In the plum grove area, the traditional Japanese color aesthetic of "kasane-iro-me" (layered colors representing seasons through layered kimono) is recreated with illumination. This concept was inspired by the fact that Tokugawa Nariaki's wife, Princess Yoshiko, came from an aristocratic court family, and the event expresses courtly aesthetics through light . Traditional colors such as suoh (sappanwood red) and kurenai (crimson) dye the plum grove, harmonizing beautifully with the white and pink of the plum blossoms. The colors change according to the bloom status, offering a different view each time.

Artificial Cloud Sea and Projection Mapping in the Bamboo Grove In the bamboo grove area of Kairaku-en, an artificial mist creates a cloud sea, onto which waka poems and landscapes are projected via mapping technology. This performance is based on poems about plum blossoms from the "Meirin Kashu," a collection compiled by Nariaki, incorporating elements of historical literature . The interplay of rising mist and light creates an immersive experience reminiscent of a sumi-e ink painting world.

Japanese Umbrellas and Suifu Chochin Decorations at Kodokan and Mito Castle Ruins At the Kodokan and Mito Castle ruins venue, the main hall, the restored Otemon gate (rebuilt in the Tenpo era style), and the sumi-yagura corner turret are decorated with Japanese umbrellas and Suifu chochin (Mito's traditional paper lanterns). Suifu chochin are made with bamboo frames and washi paper, emitting a gentle light that accentuates the historical architecture. Additionally, projection mapping is applied, projecting plum blossoms and classical patterns onto the walls of the structures. Unlike the main garden of Kairaku-en, this venue offers a night walk in the solemn atmosphere of a samurai residence complex .

Fireworks Finale "Harusakigake" (Early Spring Herald) The fireworks finale of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri is launched from the Shojobai Plum Grove Square. The display lasts about five minutes, serving as a signal of the arrival of spring . The contrast of large flowers blooming in the night sky against the plum grove below is striking, drawing cheers from the audience. The fireworks are held at both venues, with Kodokan also hosting a similar finale.

Shuttle Bus Connecting the Two Venues A free shuttle bus connects the Yoru-Ume Matsuri and "Kairaku-en UME The Lights," allowing visitors to efficiently enjoy two different nighttime plum experiences in one evening. One is the samurai-era night of historical buildings and Japanese umbrella lights; the other is the daimyo garden night of bamboo grove clouds and layered-color plum groves. The bus runs between Kairaku-en and Kodokan on a schedule that accounts for viewing time at each venue .

Free Wooden Tags (Historical Souvenir) From the first event for many years, free wooden tags imprinted with a brand seal, modeled after travel permits, were distributed to visitors. These tags featured the year's theme and venue marks, becoming popular collector's items. However, whether this distribution continues is subject to confirmation from official sources.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Held on specific designated days during the Mito Plum Blossom Festival period (generally mid-February to mid-March); it is not held on every weekend. Check the official website for the latest schedule and status.
• Venues: Kodokan and Mito Castle ruins (Mito City, San-no-maru) and Kairaku-en Main Garden (1-3-3 Tokiwa-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
• Hours: Kodokan venue: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (scheduled). Kairaku-en venue: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (last entry at 8:00 PM). Hours are subject to change.
• Admission Fee: For Kairaku-en UME The Lights, example fees are adults (high school and above) 800 yen advance, 1,000 yen at the door; children (elementary and junior high) 400 yen advance, 500 yen at the door. Fees for Kodokan are set separately. Check the official website for the latest fees.
• Access: By train, about a 20-minute walk from JR Joban Line Mito Station to Kodokan, or a 3-minute walk from the temporary Kairaku-en Station (open on weekends and holidays during the plum festival) to Kairaku-en.
• Shuttle Bus: A free shuttle bus operates between Kairaku-en and Kodokan on the day of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, from around 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The trip takes about 10 minutes.
• Parking: Several paid parking lots are available in Mito city center. Traffic restrictions (4:30 PM to 8:30 PM) are in place in surrounding areas during the event, so public transportation is recommended .

Surrounding Area Information

Mito City is a former castle town of the Mito Tokugawa family, one of the three major branches of the Tokugawa shogunate, and retains many historical buildings. Kodokan is the largest domain school in Japan, designated as an Important Cultural Property of the nation. During the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, the main hall and garden of Kodokan are illuminated, offering a solemn atmosphere different from daytime. The Otemon gate and the sumi-yagura corner turret of Mito Castle ruins have been restored to their Tenpo-era appearance, providing highlights for castle enthusiasts.

Around Kairaku-en, attractions include Tokiwa Shrine, Kobuntei, and the Tokugyokusen spring. Tokiwa Shrine enshrines Mito domain lord Tokugawa Nariaki and his son Yoshinobu. During the plum festival period, the "National Umeshu (Plum Wine) Festival" is held on the shrine grounds, offering tastings of over 120 types of plum wine from breweries across Japan, worth visiting in conjunction with the Yoru-Ume Matsuri . Kobuntei is a two-story wooden villa within Kairaku-en, designed by Nariaki himself.

In the days surrounding the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, some hotels in Mito offer special "Night Plum" packages. Mito Station area has a range of options from business hotels to city hotels, allowing visitors to stay overnight after the festival and join the "Asa-ume" (early morning plum viewing) the next day. Note that the free morning porridge service offered in past years is a historical example, and its current availability must be confirmed with official sources.

Related Information

1. Kairaku-en UME The Lights: A separate nighttime illumination event held at Kairaku-en concurrently with the Yoru-Ume Matsuri. Features bamboo grove cloud sea and layered-color plum grove lights. Held only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays .
2. Mito Plum Blossom Festival: The main daytime festival, typically held from mid-February through late March. Visitors can view about 100 varieties (3,000 trees) at Kairaku-en and about 60 varieties (800 trees) at Kodokan. The festival continues to add editions each year; check the official website for the latest information.
3. National Umeshu (Plum Wine) Festival: A plum wine tasting event held within Tokiwa Shrine grounds. Over 120 types of plum wine from breweries nationwide can be sampled. Its schedule may overlap with the Yoru-Ume Matsuri .
4. Kairaku-en Temporary Station (JR Kairaku-en Station): Open only on weekends and holidays during the plum festival. About 3 minutes from Mito Station. Not operational during the Yoru-Ume Matsuri hours but useful for daytime visits. Check JR East announcements for the last train times .
5. Kodokan: Domain school of Mito domain. National Important Cultural Property. During the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, the main hall and Otemon gate are specially opened and projection mapping is shown. Regular daytime visits are possible (admission fee).
6. Historical Wooden Tags: Travel-permit-style wooden tags distributed since the first event. Designs vary by year and are popular collector's items. Current distribution status is unconfirmed.
7. Temporary Traffic Restrictions: On the day of the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, traffic is restricted from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM on the section from the secondary gate of Mito Junior High School to the back gate of Mito High School, and from in front of San-no-maru Elementary School to the Otemon gate. Driving is not recommended .
8. Mito Komon Festival (Summer): A large summer event in Mito City. A separate event from the Yoru-Ume Matsuri, but known as part of Mito tourism. Features parades and fireworks centered on the history of the Mito Tokugawa family.

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