Mito City
Highlights of Mito City
Mito is the capital of Ibaraki prefecture located about a 70min drive North-east of Tokyo.
It was and important region during the Edo period (1603-1868) and was home to Kodokan, the largest school in Japan. However, the transition from Edo to Meiji did not treat Mito well and there was a lot of internal fighting in the region which caused destruction to the city of Mito. The bombings of WW2 also devastated some of the historical buildings that were left.
Popular visitor attractions are Kairakuen Park (偕楽園), Kodokan (弘道館), Tokugawa Museum (徳川ミュージアム) and Howaen Garden (保和苑) which are all full of history.
The best seasons to visit are mid Feb to early March when the Ume flowers are out in Kairakuen park (see Mito plum blossom festival) and mid to late June when Hydrangeas bloom at Howaen Garden (see Mito Hydrangea Festival).
See below for more information.
Access
From Tokyo to Mito city
- 75min by train. (From Ueno Sta.)
- 2h by bus. (from Tokyo Sta.)
- 2h drive by car
From Airports
- 1h 40min from Narita Itn. Airport (Car)
- 2h 15min from Narita Itn. Airport (Train)
- 2h from Haneda Int. Airport (Train)
- 2h 15min from Haneda Int. Airport (Car)
- 2h 15min from Haneda Int. Airport (Bus)
- 1h from Ibaraki Airport (Car)
- 40min from Ibaraki Airport (Bus)
Main Station
- Mito Sta. (JR Jyoban Line)
- Akatsuka Sta. (JR Jyoban Line)
- Uchihara Sta. (JR Jyoban Line)
- Hitachi-Aoyagi Sta. (JR Suigun Line)
- Higashi-Mito Sta. (Kashima Rinkai Tstsudo -KRT)
- Tsunezumi Sta. (Kashima Rinkai Tstsudo -KRT)
- (Limited operation) Kairakuen Sta. (JR Jyoban Line)
Videos of Mito City
Kodokan
Official PR Video (English)
Kairakuen
Visit Mito
Things to DO in Mito City
Kairakuen Garden
Many people visit in spring to see the plum blossoms or in late Summer for the Hydrangea Festival.
Museums
Kodokan
Visitors can still see some of the old buildings and explore what it was like to be educated there.
Flower Festivals
Ootemon gate at Mito castle ruines
Art Tower Mito
Top events around Mito City
Places to EAT
Japanese Food
There are many Japanese restaurants in Mito. Mito is know for Natto, a staple in every Japanese breakfast, so why not try it here!
Western Food
Mito is the capital city of Ibaraki prefecture so it is very easy to find a variety of western and non-Japanese oriental restaurants.
Vegan / Vegetarian
For anyone not eating meat or fish dishes, Mito has an amazing vegan restaurant called terra near Mito station. It is well known in the area for its delicious began cuisine.
COENA Cafe
A small European style restaurant with delicious homemade food prepared with local ingredients hand-picked by our chef.
Places to STAY in Mito City
Hotels (Western style)
Holiday rental (Airbnb)
There are several Airbnbs.
Find the full list of airbnb’s available at aribnb here.
Hotel Sunroute Tochigi
Type: Western Style Business Hotel
Location: 4 min drive from JR Tochig Station. (located in city center)
Guest House Kuranomachi
Type: Guesthouse
Location: 4 min drive from JR Tochigi station. (located by the river in city center)
Morino Garden
Type: Holiday rental
Location: 12 min drive from Mashiko station
Day trips from Mito City
Each of these places are within a day trip away. Click on the image to find out more.
Mito City in the News
(How to train your samurai: Education in Edo Period Japan)
(Government names 18 ‘Japan Heritage’ sites in tourism drive)
(Japan’s Three Great Gardens)
(Pastel-colored water tower stands out in Mito even after finishing role)
(Mito seeks to designate Natto Day)
(Kairakuen)
(about Mito City)
(about Kairakuen)
Tochigi City Travel Guide
We’ve created a special online guide about Mashiko to help overseas visitors explore Mashiko. Click the image to discover more!
Tochigi city Photo Gallery
We’ve created a Mashiko Photo gallery to help overseas visitors and travel companies see what Mashiko has to offer. Click the image to discover more!
Daigo Town in the Media
