Kairakuen Garden, Ibaraki

#cherryblossom25 Kairakuen is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, and yes — it absolutely lives up to the hype. While it’s more famous for plum blossoms, the cherry blossom season here is chef’s kiss. The garden sprawls out with wide lawns, bamboo groves, and serene pathways all lined with elegant sakura trees. I visited just after peak bloom, and the ground was blanketed in soft pink petals — like walking on clouds. There’s a spot near Kobuntei (the old samurai guesthouse) where I sat with tea and watched petals fall into the pond. So peaceful. Bonus: there’s even a little train that runs nearby, and if you time it right, you can snap it chugging through cherry trees. Kairakuen gives you that refined, traditional hanami vibe, and it’s definitely a must-add for your #cherryblossom25 list if you love calm, curated beauty.