The rich history of Japan is one of the things that greatly contribute to the country’s beauty. As such, it is highly recommended that foreign travelers grab every opportunity they can get to learn a thing or two about Japan’s ancient times, feudal era, or historical sites. The cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have plenty of interesting attractions of their own and offer the comfort of modern facilities but are too urbanized to bring enough justice to the country’s olden days.
Fortunately, Japan is not one to fall short of offering extraordinary experiences to its visitors and have several places which feature a pleasant combination of its ancient and modern times. Among the notable cities abundant in nature, art, festivals, and culture is Mito, the capital city of the Ibaraki Prefecture.
Brief Overview of Mito, Japan
The city of Mito is situated at the heart of the Ibaraki Prefecture, which is located in the northern part of Japan’s Kanto region. Its total area is measured at 217.32 sq. km., which is inhabited by about 271,000 people.
Mito is famous for being one of the highly-developed areas of the Ibaraki Prefecture in terms of cultural, commercial, and economic growth. The city’s northern side still features the majority of its original appearance and offers various historical sites and ruins for foreign visitors to appreciate.
Down south, tourists can relish in newly developed places including restaurants and shops. Although this area of Mito is considered to be the modern side of the city, it has an abundance of parks, lakes, and gardens for visitors to enjoy some peace and quiet. In fact, one of Japan’s three great gardens can be found right in the city of Mito.
Aside from the historical sites and scenic views, Mito also offers other activities and attractions for tourists to experience. Art lovers can visit several museums in the city which showcase traditional and contemporary works, while enthusiasts of religion and Japanese architecture can take a trip to nearby cities to view stunning shrines and structures.
Top Tourist Attractions in Mito, Japan
Mito offers several tourist attractions that cater to nature, history, and art enthusiasts. Some of the best places that foreign travelers must absolutely visit include:
Kairaku-en
Kairaku-en, which means “a park designed for everybody to enjoy together” in English, is among Japan’s Three Great Gardens, alongside Koraku-en and Kenroku-en. It was built in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki not only for his own enjoyment but also for the public. It is particularly beautiful during the months of February and March when its various plum trees are in full bloom.
Address: 1-3-3 Tokiwa-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: Free
Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
Art Tower Mito
Art Tower Mito, or also known as Mito Geijutsukan, was established as part of Mito’s centennial celebrations. The arts complex features a landmark tower, a modern art gallery, a theater, and a concert hall.
Address: 1-6-8, Goken-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: 200 yen/person for adults; 100 yen/person for students
Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays
Ibaraki Museum of Modern Art
The Ibaraki Museum of Modern Art dates back to the year 1988. It houses various works from local artists such as Ogawa Usen, Shimomura Kanzan, Yokoyama Taikan, and Hishida Shunso. Given the museum’s extensive collection, the displays change throughout the year. There are also numerous hands-on workshops, museum concerts, and lectures hosted by the museum on an annual basis.
Address: 666-1 Senba-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: 310 yen/person
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM from Mondays to Sundays
Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History
The Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History opened in 1974 to bring focus to the history of the prefecture. It houses several artifacts, artworks, and documentation that date back to the Edo Period. In addition, the vicinity also houses a few structures that showcase the architectural styles from the Edo and Meiji Period.
Address: 2-1-5 Midori-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: 150 yen/person for adults; 80 yen/person for students
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays
Kodokan School
Kodokan School was once the largest hanko (han school) of Japan during the Edo Period. It was established in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki as a means to protect the country from foreign aggression. Some of the disciplines taught to the students of Kodokan School were math, military science, manners, calligraphy, astronomy, and medicine.
It was closed in 1872 as the majority of its buildings suffered significant amounts of damage during the Pacific and feudal wars. However, its auditorium, meditation hall, and front gate remain intact and have been declared to be among Japan’s Important Cultural Properties.
In addition, the area features about 800 plum trees which start blossom in late February. As such, the place is particularly crowded during February-March by locals and tourists participating in the annual Mito Plum Festival.
Address: 1-6-29 Sannomaru, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: 200 yen/person
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM from February 20 to September 30; 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM from October 1 to February 19
Lake Senba
Lake Senba can be located right next to Kairaku-en and is a part of Senba Park. It serves as the home of various wild birds such as Mute swans, Whooper swans, black swans, Great egrets, Mallards, Moorhens, Spot-billed ducks, Kingfishers, and Herring gulls.
Address: 3081 Senba-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: N/A
Hours: N/A
Mito Castle Ruins
The Mito Castle was built in 1214 and was originally named Baba castle, after Baba Sukemoto, the clan that constructed and ruled it. In 1416, the castle was taken over by Edo Michifusa and was given its current name.
The majority of its buildings were destroyed by a large fire back in 1764. During the Meiji Period, the Mito Castle, as with many of Japan’s other castles, was decommissioned. At present, only one gate, moats, and the Kodokan remain standing on the gated and fenced site.
Address: Sannomaru, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: N/A
Hours: N/A
Mito Municipal Botanical Park
The Mito Municipal Botanical Park, or also known as Mito-shi Shokubutsu Koen, is a Western-style botanical garden that features a rock garden, lawn, terrace, and several greenhouses. It opened in 1984 and has since continued to bring focus on building a greener future.
Address: 504 Kobuki-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: 300 yen/person for adults; 150 yen/person for students
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays
Tokiwa Jinja
Tokiwa Jinja is a Shinto shrine located right next to Kairaku-en. It dates back to the year 1874 and is where Tokugawa Mitsukuni and Tokugawa Nariaki are enshrined. There is a museum within the vicinity that houses artifacts and articles from the Edo Period.
Address: 1 Chome-3-1 Tokiwachō, Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Admission: N/A
Hours: N/A
Restaurants in Mito, Japan
Strolling around Mito and absorbing its rich history and culture can work up an appetite. Fortunately, the city houses numerous gastropubs, restaurants, and shops that offer all kinds of Japanese cuisine:
Bomber
Access: A 3-minute walk away from the north exit of the JR Mito Station
Style: Yakiniku (BBQ)
Budget: 2,500 yen
Dohtonbori
Access: An 11-minute car ride away from the JR Mito Station
Style: Okonomiyaki
Budget: 2,000 yen
Fukufuku Ya
Access: A 3-minute walk away from the south exit of the JR Mito Station
Style: Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub)
Budget: 2,800 yen
Hamazushi
Access: A 15-minute car ride away from the JR Mito Station
Style: Seafood or Sushi
Budget: 1,000 yen
Kajiwara
Access: A 10-minute walk away from the south exit of the JR Mito Station
Style: Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub)
Budget: 4,000 yen
Kyuujirou
Access: A minute walk away from the JR Mito Station
Style: Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub)
Budget: 3,500 yen
Marugame Seimen
Access: An 8-minute walk away from the JR Joban Line Akatsuka Station
Style: Noodles
Budget: 610 yen
Masu-masu
Access: A 10-minute car ride away from the JR Mito Station
Style: Modern Japanese Cuisine
Budget: 2,700 yen
Shinobuya
Access: A 10-minute car ride away from the south exit of the JR Mito Station
Style: Modern Japanese Cuisine
Budget: 2,500 yen
Tenmasa
Access: A 3-minute walk away from the north exit of the JR Joban Line Mito Station
Style: Traditional Japanese Cuisine
Budget: 4,000 yen
Torikichi
Access: An 8-minute walk away from the south exit of the JR Mito Station
Style: Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub)
3,000 yen
Hotels in Mito, Japan
There are countless accommodation options available in Mito, Japan that range from luxurious to budget hotels. For those who want to get the most bang out of their buck, the hotels listed below are guaranteed to provide pleasant facilities at reasonable prices:
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Mito Plaza Hotel (Rating: 9.5/10)
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Mito (Rating: 8.6/10)
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Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito (Rating: 8.6/10)
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Smile Hotel Mito (Rating: 8.0/10)
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APA Hotel Mito-Ekimae (Rating: 7.9/10)
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Court Hotel Mito (Rating: 7.9/10)
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Hotel Trend Mito (Rating: 7.1/10)
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Mito Riverside Hotel (Rating: 6.7/10)
The Weather & Climate of Mito, Japan
The city of Mito features a humid subtropical climate, which means that tourists should expect cool winters and hot summers. Except for the winter months (November-February), Mito experiences a significant amount of precipitation all throughout the year.
Additional Tourism Information for Mito, Japan – Map & Access
Mito can be accessed in less than 2 hours from the Tokyo and Ueno Stations of the Joban Line of the Super Hitachi Express. There are also regular train rides available but these usually take more time to get to the Mito Station.
Once at the Mito Station, foreign travelers can ask for help at the Tourist Information Center situated at the east of the station’s south exit. Going around the city of Mito is relatively easy by bus or bicycles, which can be rented at the train station on weekends and holidays.