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Mito

Mito [1] Ibaraki Kanto Japan

Culture and History

When Tokugawa Ieyasu reunited Japan in 1603 and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, with its headquarters at Edo, he installed members of his own Tokugawa clan as rulers of Mito and only two other domains, present-day Nagoya and Wakayama. These three cadet lines (known as Gosanke 御三家) were eligible to supply an heir in case any ruling shogun failed to produce one. They were thus among the most loyal of the Tokugawa loyalists. However, the Mito School of fiercely chauvinist Confucian scholars also helped to redefine the Japanese nation in a way that provided the ideological foundation for enhancing imperial power during the Meiji Restoration and its aftermath.

Travel to Mito, visa requirements

Flights to Mito, airtickets

The Rose Liner airport limousine bus runs between Narita Airport and the Mito-Oarai Interchange, Mito Station, Katsuta Station and points north to Hitachi. There are nine daily round-trips, and the journey to Mito Station takes about two hours at a cost of ¥3000. Schedule

From Haneda Airport, Airport Limousine buses make runs directly to Mito every hour, but only during the afternoon and evening (about 2 hours, ¥3500). Otherwise, take the Keikyu Line train to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line to Ueno to pick up a train bound for Mito (2 to 3 hours, ~¥2600-4600, depending on what train you take; see below).

By train

Mito is on the JR Joban Line, which starts at Ueno station in Tokyo.

Limited Express trains depart from Ueno for Mito every 30 minutes during the day: Super Hitachi trains depart at the top of the hour, and Fresh Hitachi trains depart at 30 minutes past the hour. The trip will cost ¥4220 (no charge with the Japan Rail Pass) and take 65-75 minutes, depending on the number of stops the train makes.

Local clunkers will cover the journey in two hours at a cost of ¥2210. Direct local services for Mito depart from Ueno 2-3 times per hour.

Get around

Mito has a number of train stations within its boundaries:

On the Joban line - Mito, Kairakuen (station only open during plum blossom season), Akatsuka, Uchihara
On the Kashima line - Mito, Higashi Mito, Tsunezumi, Oarai

The bus system in Mito, like all parts of Japan, is very complicated but once mastered, very useful. Most areas are serviced with buses coming a few times each hour. The bus for Kairakuen leaves from terminal 6 on the north side of Mito station.

Taxis are always available and the average flag fall is 660 yen.

The principal tourist attraction, the Kairakuen, is an easy half-hour walk from Mito station's South Exit. Just walk down to the river (Sakura-gawa), take a right and keep going along the north (righthand) shore of the lake. In April, you'll walk by cherry blossoms the whole way. The waterfowl will also provide some amusement.

Mito attractions and sightseeing

City tours

Shopping, Mito souvenirs

Natto Crackers (Area is famous for Natto)

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Mito is famous for its nattō (納豆), a famously smelly and sticky glop of fermented soybeans. It's an acquired taste and even many Japanese (particularly those in Kansai) loathe the stuff.

Mito nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Drunken Duck, on the south side of Mito Station (relocated from Katsuta), tel. 029-232-3999, [3]. "An English-style pub, with Aussie grub" (and "now with wireless Internet").

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

near onsen resort

Get out

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