In 1842, before Japan was open for trade with the rest of the world, feudal lord Tokugawa Nariaki decided to create Kairakuen Park as a place of recreation for his people. Today it is renowned as one of the best three gardens in the country and for being one of the top spots for plum-tree viewing. With about 3,000 of these trees – and 100 different varieties to boot – the gardens are painted in red and white blooms during early spring, and enveloped in the deliciously fragrant smell of plum flowers. The Night Plum Festival, held only for one night per year, lights up the park with what seems like an infinite number of candles. Plum-blooming season varies depending on the weather and the variety of trees, but generally early blooms start appearing in late December, with the rest following in late March. During the rest of the year there are still plenty of other flowers on display, including azaleas, bush clovers in autumn, and remontant cherry trees in early winter.