Explore the History and Culture of the Tokugawa Family! 6 Popular Tourist Spots in Mito

If you are visiting Mito, early spring, when the plum blossoms are at their best, is highly recommended.
Every year, the Mito Plum Festival is held from February to March, the peak season for plum blossoms.
At Kairakuen, Approx. 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties bloom in spectacular fashion, while at another popular sightseeing spot, Kodokan, you can enjoy Approx. 800 plum trees of about 60 varieties in bloom.
There are also various other events, such as the Umeshu Festival, where you can compare different plum wines, and projection mapping held after sunset.

From Tokyo, it takes Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by limited express train.
It is also easy to access, with a bus ride of Approx. 45 minutes from Ibaraki Airport, which has international flights, to Mito Station.
From Osaka, however, it takes a bit longer, requiring Approx. 4 hours by transferring between the shinkansen and local trains.

This historic garden was created by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito Domain. Together with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama, it is counted as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
The garden covers Approx. 13 hectares and is filled with highlights throughout.
After entering through the garden’s east gate, you will see Kobuntei, a wooden structure with two stories and three levels.
It was built as Lord Nariaki’s villa, and its simple yet elegant appearance, made up of two buildings with shingled and thatched roofs, creates a refined atmosphere.

Kodokan was a domain school established in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki (1800–1860), the ninth lord of the Mito Domain, and was once the largest educational facility of its kind in Japan.
Many of the original buildings were lost in internal conflict within the domain in 1868 and in air raids, but the Seicho, the central building of Kodokan where academic and martial examinations were held in the presence of the domain lord, the Shizendo behind it, and the front gate, which was opened only for the lord’s visits and special events, still remain.
All of them are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

Mito Castle was a hirayamajiro, or a castle built on a hill on flatland, constructed at the tip of a narrow plateau between the Naka River and Senba Lake.
It was the castle of the Mito Domain, and at the former main bailey you can still see the Yakuimon gate, while the former third bailey is home to the domain school Kodokan, as well as dry moats and earthen ramparts that skillfully make use of the terrain.
In the Reiwa era, restoration work on the Otemon Gate and the Ninomaru Corner Turret was completed, bringing back their appearance from former times.

Located in the center of Mito City, this park around Senba Lake is a relaxing place for local residents.
Adjacent to Kairakuen and covering Approx. 78.4 hectares, the park features a variety of attractions and facilities, including a wooden waterside deck where you can feel as if you are standing on the lake, a forest area for children with field athletics, a children’s plaza with combination playground equipment and swings, and a babbling-stream plaza where kids can enjoy playing in water fed by spring water.

The shrine was founded in 1621 by Tokugawa Yorifusa, the first lord of the Mito Domain, as a shrine enshrining his father, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In 1936, Yorifusa was also enshrined, and today the shrine is dedicated to both deities. Its karamon gate and shrine buildings are gorgeously constructed, fitting for a shrine honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu, who ruled the nation.
The intricate designs and splendid decorations found throughout are not to be missed.

This shrine enshrines Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the second lord of the Mito Domain who is beloved in Japan as Mito Komon, and Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the domain.
It began in the early Meiji period when many people who admired the virtues of the two lords established a small shrine within Kairakuen, and in 1874 it was relocated to its current site, with part of Kairakuen designated as its shrine grounds.
Because the two deities enshrined here contributed to the cultural development of Mito, the shrine is believed to bring blessings for academic success.

This restaurant has been certified by Ibaraki Prefecture as an “Umaimondokoro,” proof that it serves safe, high-quality food from Ibaraki.
Since opening Approx. 40 years ago, it has consistently served a variety of local dishes deeply rooted in the region and beloved by the people of Ibaraki.
Its top recommendation is dishes made with Okukuji Shamo, a famous local specialty.

Izakaya TENMASA - Tenmasa - is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Mito Station.
Its signature menu item is the full monkfish course, centered on Mito specialties such as ankō nabe and natto dishes, and featuring monkfish liver and fried monkfish so you can fully enjoy this local delicacy.
A wide selection of local sake is also available, letting you enjoy ankō nabe with perfectly matched Japanese sake.

Kabayaki Kappo Mito Nuriya is a long-established restaurant located 10 minutes by car from Mito Station.
Although Mito’s specialty ankō nabe is also available, the dish you should try at Kabayaki Kappo Mito Nuriya is eel.
Its popular menu includes unaju, grilled eel over rice, but the eel set meal, which lets you fully enjoy eel through sashimi, kabayaki, liver soup, and more, is also highly popular.
Be sure to enjoy the fluffy texture of the eel and its rich, flavorful taste.

Tengu Natto Co., Ltd. was founded by the second son of the first Sasanuma Seizaemon, who is said to have been the founder of Tengu Natto and to have laid the foundation for today’s Mito natto, and the fourth generation now preserves its traditional taste.
Because the finished product is greatly affected by temperature and humidity, each batch is made by hand by skilled artisans.
Made with carefully selected soybeans, this Mito specialty is known for its strong stickiness, rich flavor, fragrant aroma, and pleasantly firm texture.

Near the hotel, you will find sightseeing spots such as Kairakuen, the Mito Castle Ruins, and the Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki.
It is also in an excellent location just Approx. 2 minutes on foot from the nearest station, making it a perfect base for sightseeing during your trip.
The guest rooms come in two types: a designer type with green walls and a modern feel, and a standard type with a neat, simple design for a comfortable stay.
Every room is equipped with Simmons beds, offering a relaxing way to unwind after a day of travel.

This hotel stands in a lush wooded area along a bypass road.
Designed by John David Edison, a descendant of the inventor Thomas Edison, the five-story building features European classical-style interiors while also incorporating Japanese touches throughout, such as lattice-pattern details.