Travel is often a game of expectations vs. reality, which should mean that a place like Mito has an advantage. The oft-forgotten capital of Ibaraki (which is known, among Japanese, as the country’s least-loved prefecture), most people expect nothing of the city, assuming they even know it exists.
On the other hand, so many tourists in Japan are wedded to the country’s tourist trail (and destinations in close proximity to it) that places truly off the beaten path elude them. And so, Mito often fails to enter either realm: Of expectations, or reality.
So, is Mito worth visiting? Absolutely, at least if you can manage to put it on your radar, and to clear out at least a day in your schedule to go.
How to Get to Mito
Getting from Tokyo to Mito is easy. Hourly Limited Express trains (branded as either the Hitachi or the Tokiwa) take around 70-90 minutes to reach Mito Station, depending upon whether you originate at Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. If you’re coming from Chiba prefecture, meanwhile, Mito can be reached by car from Kashiwa or Narita Airport in about as much time. Upon arrival in Mito, local buses can take you anywhere you need to go.
I personally prefer taking the train, so that I can decompress en route. In some cases, this is by playing online casino games with no deposit free spins, which players can enjoy through FreeSpinsTracker. In other cases, I want to write or process images. Since the trains I mentioned above have reserved seats and free Wi-Fi, they make a comfortable place to stretch out, whether you work, play or something in-between those activities.
What to Do in Mito
Visit Kairaku-en
It might seem strange, given the low profile keeps, but it’s actually home to one of Japan’s top three gardens. I’m speaking of course of Kairaku-en which, alongside Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Okayama’s Koraku-en, make up a proverbial holy trinity. It’s famous for the Kobuntei villa, as well as numerous seasonal flower blooms.
(In multiple seasons, if possible)
Which is to say things to do in Mito, as they do in many places in Japan, vary depending on what time of year we’re talking about. For example, while I first discovered Kairaku-en in April, when the tsutsuji (azaleas) were blooming, its ume (plum) grove is also famous all over Japan.
Make an excursion to Hitachi Seaside Park
Another seasonal spectacle in the vicinity of Mito is Hitachi Seaside Park. The best time to come here is in mid-to-late April, when the nemophila (colloquially known as “baby blue eyes”) create a spectacle that makes the sea, sky and earth blend together. It’s truly spectacular!
(Or Ushiku Daibutsu)
Want to add something architectural to your Mito itinerary? Look no further than Ushiku Daibutsu, which is one of the tallest standing Buddha statues in Japan. Getting here is easiest if you have a car, though as an added bonus it’s about halfway from Mito to Narita Airport, which makes it an attractive place to see on your way out.
Consider staying overnight
The bad news? As I’ll explain in a couple of paragraphs, hotels in Mito leave something to be desired. The good news? If you have your own set of wheels, you can stay in adjacent cities (such as Ibaraki’s own Hitachinaka, or Kashiwa, Chiba), affording you less lacking accommodation options.
How Long Should You Stay in Mito?
If you simply plan to visit Kairaku-en—and let’s face it, that’s what many travelers plan to do—then you can probably just come up for the day from Tokyo. The best light hits the garden in the morning, so I’d suggest leaving at around 8 or 9, having lunch in the city and then heading back in the early afternoon. If you plan to see multiple places in Ibaraki, on the other hand, it might make more sense to stay the night.
On the other hand, the conversation about how many days in Mito you need sometimes hits a wall—namely, the fact that there simply aren’t many good hotels here. Without naming names, I stayed at the “best” hotel in Mito, and found that it still stunk from decades of cigarette smoke, even though it’s now ostensibly a non-smoking property, and has been for sometime. So you’ll want to keep this in mind.
Other FAQ About Visiting Mito, Japan
What is there to do in Mito?
Mito is home to Kairaku-en, one of Japan’s top three gardens, and a major draw for tourists. Beyond this, other popular attractions in the vicinity of Mito include Hitachi Seaside Park and Ushiku Daibutsu, one of Japan’s most impressive standing Buddhas.
How to get to Mito from Tokyo?
The easiest way to reach Mito from Tokyo is to take one of the frequent Hitachi or Tokiwa Limited Express trains from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Mito, where it arrives in 70-90 minutes. You could also take a local JR Joban Line train, but this takes much longer, and is significantly less comfortable.
What is Mito famous for?
Mito actually isn’t especially famous. However, to the extent that people know Mito, it’s because of Kairaku-en, one of Japan’s “three great gardens.” Adjacent Hitachi Seaside Park, which has gone viral for its Nemophila flowers, is also a major tourist draw.
The Bottom Line
Is Mito worth visiting? As is often the case with “yes” or “no” travel questions, the answer is a bit more complex. Certain attractions in and around Mito are among the most captivating in Japan, from Kairaku-en (one of the top three gardens in Japan) to Hitachi Seaside Park, at least in mid-April when its “baby blue eyes” make the land and sky appear as one. Plus, Mito is only around 80 minutes from Tokyo by train, which makes it an easy day trip, not to mention a tranquil alternative to crowded Nikko or Kamakura. Need more help integrating Ibaraki’s capital into your itinerary? Consider hiring me to plan your Japan trip!
