Journey is commonly a sport of expectations vs. actuality, which ought to imply that a spot like Mito has a bonus. The oft-forgotten capital of Ibaraki (which is understood, amongst Japanese, because the nation’s least-loved prefecture), most individuals count on nothing of town, assuming they even realize it exists.
However, so many vacationers in Japan are wedded to the nation’s vacationer path (and locations in shut proximity to it) that locations really off the crushed path elude them. And so, Mito typically fails to enter both realm: Of expectations, or actuality.
So, is Mito value visiting? Completely, no less than when you can handle to place it in your radar, and to filter no less than a day in your schedule to go.
How you can Get to Mito
Getting from Tokyo to Mito is simple. Hourly Restricted Specific trains (branded as both the Hitachi or the Tokiwa) take round 70-90 minutes to succeed in Mito Station, relying upon whether or not you originate at Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. If you happen to’re coming from Chiba prefecture, in the meantime, Mito will be reached by automobile from Kashiwa or Narita Airport in about as a lot time. Trains additionally exist, although the journey is lengthy and requires a connection.
Upon arrival in Mito, native buses can take you wherever it’s essential to go. Typically, this will likely be to Kairaku-en backyard (which is technically accessible on foot) or to Hitachi Seaside Park, which is certainly not. The realm instantly round Mito Station, in the meantime, is just not probably the most thrilling a part of city. Nevertheless, if the climate is sweet it will probably’t harm to have a stroll, whether or not or not you stroll all the best way to the backyard.
What to Do in Mito
Go to Kairaku-en
It may appear unusual, given the low profile retains, but it surely’s truly residence to one among Japan’s prime three gardens. I’m talking in fact of Kairaku-en which, alongside Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Okayama’s Koraku-en, make up a proverbial holy trinity. It’s well-known for the Kobuntei villa, in addition to quite a few seasonal flower blooms.
(In a number of seasons, if doable)
Which is to say issues to do in Mito, as they do in lots of locations in Japan, range relying on what time of 12 months we’re speaking about. For instance, whereas I first found Kairaku-en in April, when the tsutsuji (azaleas) have been blooming, its ume (plum) grove can be well-known throughout Japan.
Make an tour to Hitachi Seaside Park
One other seasonal spectacle within the neighborhood of Mito is Hitachi Seaside Park. The most effective time to return right here is in mid-to-late April, when the nemophila (colloquially often known as “child blue eyes”) create a spectacle that makes the ocean, sky and earth mix collectively. It’s really spectacular!
(Or Ushiku Daibutsu)
Wish to add one thing architectural to your Mito itinerary? Look no additional than Ushiku Daibutsu, which is among the tallest standing Buddha statues in Japan. Getting right here is best when you’ve got a automobile, although as an added bonus it’s about midway from Mito to Narita Airport, which makes it a lovely place to see in your approach out.
Contemplate staying in a single day
Mito isn’t probably the most thrilling metropolis in Japan, however I’d argue that it tends to exceed expectations, given how few of them folks are likely to have within the first place. Specifically, I really like ascending Artwork Tower Mito, each to benefit from the view from the highest and in addition to admire the distinctive construction from ground-level.
How Lengthy Ought to You Keep in Mito?
If you happen to merely plan to go to Kairaku-en—and let’s face it, that’s what many vacationers plan to do—then you may in all probability simply come up for the day from Tokyo. The most effective gentle hits the backyard within the morning, so I’d recommend leaving at round 8 or 9, having lunch within the metropolis after which heading again within the early afternoon. If you happen to plan to see a number of locations in Ibaraki, however, it’d make extra sense to remain the night time.
However, the dialog about what number of days in Mito you want typically hits a wall—particularly, the truth that there merely aren’t many good inns right here. With out naming names, I stayed on the “greatest” resort in Mito, and located that it nonetheless stunk from a long time of cigarette smoke, though it’s now ostensibly a non-smoking property, and has been for someday. So that you’ll need to maintain this in thoughts.
Different FAQ About Visiting Mito, Japan
What’s there to do in Mito?
Mito is residence to Kairaku-en, one among Japan’s prime three gardens, and a significant draw for vacationers. Past this, different in style points of interest within the neighborhood of Mito embrace Hitachi Seaside Park and Ushiku Daibutsu, one among Japan’s most spectacular standing Buddhas.
How you can get to Mito from Tokyo?
The simplest strategy to attain Mito from Tokyo is to take one of many frequent Hitachi or Tokiwa Restricted Specific trains from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Mito, the place it arrives in 70-90 minutes. You may additionally take a neighborhood JR Joban Line practice, however this takes for much longer, and is considerably much less snug.
What’s Mito well-known for?
Mito truly isn’t particularly well-known. Nevertheless, to the extent that folks know Mito, it’s due to Kairaku-en, one among Japan’s “three nice gardens.” Adjoining Hitachi Seaside Park, which has gone viral for its Nemophila flowers, can be a significant vacationer draw.
The Backside Line
Is Mito value visiting? As is commonly the case with “sure” or “no” journey questions, the reply is a little more complicated. Sure points of interest in and round Mito are among the many most charming in Japan, from Kairaku-en (one of many prime three gardens in Japan) to Hitachi Seaside Park, no less than in mid-April when its “child blue eyes” make the land and sky seem as one. Plus, Mito is barely round 80 minutes from Tokyo by practice, which makes it a straightforward day journey, to not point out a tranquil different to crowded Nikko or Kamakura. Want extra assist integrating Ibaraki’s capital into your itinerary? Contemplate hiring me to plan your Japan journey!