Well, we managed to make it through February and survived another Valentine’s Day. We even got a little reprieve from the cold with spring-like temperatures intermittently appearing lately. The warm weather also likely sped up the blooming process of the plum blossoms in Kairakuen Park which means it would be a good idea to check out the Ume-matsuri (plum-blossom festival, Feb. 20 ~ Mar. 31) earlier rather than later so the flowers don’t all fall before you can snap some good photos. Kairakuen park is considered one of the three great gardens of Japan, with people coming from all over the country to view the plum blossoms. It was built in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki and features his summer house which can be entered for a fee. Kairakuen is a fifteen minute walk from Mito station and buses run regularly, details here (Japanese). Like any festival the event runs all day and you can buy a variety food and drink around Tokiwa shrine. Going on a sunny day is recommended for good photo opportunities and the ability to relax under the plum trees with a cold chu-hi or hey, even an ume-shu, but be warned that on the weekends it can get pretty crowded.
Unfortunately the opportunity has passed this year, but I strongly suggest you stop by Kairakuen after dark on the first Saturday of March. All paths through the plum orchard are lined by small paper lanterns with certain trees spot-lit. The atmosphere is romantic and even a little spooky, but is not to be missed. This year was a good time as always, with many events in addition to the blossom viewing. There was an exhibition of calligraphy on a giant scale, shamisen, Japanese taiko and even a brief iaido demonstration. All of which were quite easily enjoyed while sipping on a \500 wooden cup of locally produced nihonshu 一品(ippin). Good times!
Next up on the festival agenda is the Sakura-matsuri held here at the beginning of April. Lake Senba and the Sakura-gawa river banks are of course great places for a little hanami, but the real fun happens over the first weekend of April ( this year the 4th and 5th)at 護国神社(gokoku-jinja) located on 桜山(sakura-yama) here. The shrine holds an event they call ‘Bonobos’, named after the sex-loving primates, and it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen in Japan.
If you ever been to a sakura related event at a shrine, you’re familiar with the food stands, long tables on blue plastic, and of course various drunk senior citizens murdering the atmosphere with karaoke. Gokoku-jinja, while it does hold the traditional-style events, also does something much different. Starting from roughly 4 or 5 in the evening, they hold a concert that runs until 10pm featuring various local and traveling bands, dance troupes, and many other forms of entertainment. If you live in the area, you must see this event at least once. Every year, it’s consistently one of the most fun events I’ve ever attended in Japan. Details are here; make sure you stay until the end to check out host band THE DODOITTSU, who are amazing and work hard every year to organize the event.
Ibaraki-ben of the day:
In Ibaraki-ben, most sentences are ended using だっぺ(dappe), べ(be), or sometimes simply っぺ (ppe) knowing when to use each ending comes with experience. For example, the word 簡単(kantan) ends with a closed “nn” sound so we end with だっぺ, making 簡単だっぺ, the word おかしい (okashii) , however, ends with an open “ii” sound and so is commonly ended with べ (be), making おかしいべ.
Alright then, there’s your starter course in Ibaraki-ben. If you live in Ibaraki, try using it sometimes, you’ll get lots of laughs. 頑張れな！簡単じゃねぇべ？
