Mito

Mito is famous for Kairakuen - one of the three greatest gardens in Japan. Mito is located 100Km north east of Tokyo. Mito is famous for three things: Kairakuen - one of the three greatest gardens in Japan, Mito Komon, a famous ruler in 17th century, and Natto, fermented soybeans. Mito is located about 100km northeast of Tokyo, because of this location Mito has become a modern satellite city Tokyo with many people commuting to Tokyo every day.   MITO HOTELS GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES Mito HotelsLooking for Mito hotels? Save up to 70% off the standard rates on Mito hotels with instant confirmation. Guaranteed lowest rates for Mito hotels. Kairakuen MITO ATTRACTIONS Kairakuen Kairakuen is one of Japan’s official Three Great Gardens. Kairakuen is most famous for its 3000 plum trees which flower in early spring.   Tokiwa Jinja ShrineTokiwa Jinja Shrine is located next to Kairakuen. It was established in 1868 to enshrine Tokugawa Mitsukuni and Tokugawa Nariaki. Access: 15 min from JR Mito Station by bus Kobuntei Located in the middle of Kairakuen, Kobuntei is a historic three-story wooden building built by the order of Tokugawa Nariaki. He would invite writers, artists and residents of his domain and host parties here.   Kodokan Established by Tokugawa Nariaki in 1841, Kodokan was a school for Mito clan and was the biggest and one of the most famous clan’s school in Japan at the time. The students learned both military arts and academics including medicine and astronomy at Kodokan. The main gate, the main hall ‘Seicho’ and Nobility Hall are designated as historic national cultural properties. Access: 8 min walk from JR Mito Station Open hours: 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week except Dec 29-31 Admission: 190 yen   Toshogu Shrine is a little shrine in the middle of modern and busy Mito city. It was established by Tokugawa Yorifusa in 1621 to enshrine his father Tokugawa Ieyasu. Local people call it ‘Gongen-san’. Access: 8 min walk from JR Mito Station Open hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week   Mito Komon Mito Komon is another name of Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1701), who was the second lord of Mito clan. He complied a huge Japanese history book called ‘Dai Nihon shi’. He was also known as a gourmet. He is one of the first Japanese to eat ramen as well as wine and yogurt. Probably of his such unique character, he became a model of a narrative tale late Edo period. It is a story that Mito Komon travels throughout Japan and castigates evil powers with his subordinate warriors. This tradition of dramatizing his life continued with a novel and in 1951, the first television series started and today it still continues to attract audiences. Every summer, the city of Mito hosts the Mito Komon festival, which prominently features the Tokugawa seal as well as actors representing Mito Komon and his subordinate warriors. MITO ITINERARY Station/Stop Transport Duration Places to visit JR Tokyo JR Yamanote Line 7min JR Ueno JR (Fresh Hitachi/Super Hitachi) 1h16min JR Mito Kantetsu Bus (For Kairakuen) 15min North Exit bus stop #6 (every 12,27,42,57) Kairakuen Tokiwa Jinja Shrine Kairakuen Kairakuen Kantetsu Bus (For JR Mito) 15min (every 10,25,40,55) Kairakuen Taxi 5min Kodokan Walk 5min Toshogu Shrine JR Mito JR (Fresh Hitachi/Super Hitachi) 1h16m JR Ueno JR Yamanote Line 7min JR Tokyo | | |