Plum Festival at Mito

 [Kairakuen Plum Festival]

It's probably safe to say it's almost over, but I went to the Mito Kairakuen Plum Festival. It was my first time, and it took just over an hour on the Joban Line.

As soon as I entered the garden, I was immediately soothed by the sweet scent of plum blossoms.

The garden is large, and the plum grove stretches on and on, but I never get bored.

The admission fee was only 320 yen per person! Isn't that too cheap?

Anyway, I'm glad I went.

I bought two kinds of natto and a Japanese sweet called "Mito no Ume" as souvenirs.

This was elegant, not too sweet, and refreshingly delicious.

I also bought a local sake called "Yuju." Apparently it's also offered at Kashima Shrine. I asked for a recommendation at the local sake shop with a corner bar at the station and bought some. The staff were very helpful.

Next time, I'd like to stay overnight and try a local izakaya at night.

It's been a year and four months since I moved to Ibaraki Prefecture.

 Yesterday, the warm weather tempted my wife and I to take a stroll in the park, grabbing some convenience store sandwiches. Hardly a picnic, lol.

It's been a little over a year since we moved to Ibaraki, and it's made me realize once again that Ibaraki was once an ocean.

Of course, Lake Kasumigaura feels like the ocean, but there are also swamps scattered all over the place.

Yesterday we went to Ototonuma Park.

I heard it's called Ototonuma. I gave voice instructions to the navigation system, and it said Ototonuma.

It's a large swamp, and waterfowl like coots are resting their wings on the shore. There's nothing particularly special about it, but it's spacious and relaxing.

We moved here because we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, and as we expected, the commute is completely painless. So far, we're very happy.

With rising land and apartment prices in Tokyo, I predict Ibaraki will become even more popular.