Tokugawa Nariaki
Kairakuen was built in the year 1842 by Tokugawa Nariaki, "daimyō" of Mito Domain. Unlike Japan's other two great gardens, Kairakuen was originally intended to serve for the enjoyment of the public, by which Tokugawa Nariaki meant the samurai class. Ordinary commoners were admitted only on certain dates each year. The gardens are especially noted for the plum blossom season, which usually takes place in late February and March. Besides the plum tree grove, where one hundred different plum tree varieties with white, pink and red blossoms are planted, Kairakuen also features a bamboo grove, cedar grove, and the "Kobuntei", a three-story pavilion for use in poetry contests and for the Japanese tea ceremony.