Things to Do in Mito, Japan - Mito Attractions
Things to Do in Mito
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Kairakuen Park, Semba Boadwalk, Gardens, Historic Walking Areas. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Kairakuen Park, Semba Boadwalk, Gardens, Historic Walking Areas. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Food & Drinkfromper adult$41
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$540
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$496
Wine Tastingsfromper adult$28
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$96
Wine Tastingsfromper adult$28
Multi-day Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$1,346- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$140
Shopping Toursfromper adult$50
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper group (up to 5)$125
Parks
Other Top Attractions around Mito
What travelers are saying
- MCCSouth West England, UK796 contributionsSited in the heart of Mito city, Lake Senba is encircled by a 3 km walk, it is also at the foothill of Kairakuen Gardens. We stopped at the lake and then walked over a footbridge to the gardens. It is a strenuous walk up a steep hill. The gardens were planted by a Shogun, Takugawa Nariaki a powerful feudal lord who assisted in the restoration of the Meiji Emperor but opposed western intrusion in Japan. This was his park for his people to enjoy in peace, reflecting Nariaki’s desire to build a park open to the ordinary citizens of his domain. The plum bloom was coming to its end but the wisteria was a bit behind in budding. The azaleas were a delight to see. The park had a dedicated areas for cedar and bamboo forests, open spaces for music and tea ceremony. The views of the lake below were stunning. Walking past the azalea garden we saw Takugawa Nariaki’s house which is called Kobuntei but was closed for renovations. We stopped for a picture from a view point and noticed that it was where Nariaki was buried. The promontory overlooks Lake Senba and surrounding area.Written August 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sheep14 contributionsSemba lake is a wonderful place surrounded by beautiful nature.
The lake is three kilometers around. There are two types of tracks, one for jogging and an ordinary path. It’s a good place to stroll or jog. There are a few facilities such as a café, playground equipment and boats. At the café, you can enjoy a taste of Ibaraki’s famous shop foods while looking at the beautiful view. All generations will have a good time there.
You’ll be able to enjoy Semba lake in all seasons. I especially think spring and summer are the best times to visit, but you should avoid going there on rainy days. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a place out of the rain at the park. Also, there are too many birds. They can sometimes bother you. In spring, a lot of cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Also, it is lit up at night, so it looks completely different at night from how does in the daytime. In July or August, a fireworks display is held around the lake. Various kinds of events are also held throughout the year. Before visiting, you should check the event schedule online. If you have enough time to visit other nearby places, I recommend going to Kairakuen-park. This park, which right next to Semba lake, is one of the three most outstanding gardens in Japan. The view of the lake from Kairakuen-park is also beautiful!Written June 7, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sue TCanberra, Australia877 contributionsWe were shown the building by a volunteer Japanese guide with some basic English, enough to name the purposes of the rooms. This did add to our appreciation of the building. The grounds are gorgeous too, with the massed plums (albeit was autumn and pretty bare.)Written October 14, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PaulSiowPetaling Jaya, Malaysia2,696 contributionsMany people who visited Kairakuen also visited this building where you can get a good view of the lake and surrounding park. We only looked at the external architecture and didn't go inside as we were more interested in exploring the park and view the plum and cherry blossoms up close. There is an entrance fee if you wish to enter this building and have the time.Written February 26, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- olafoomesAmstelveen, The Netherlands1,660 contributionsA spectacular 100 meter high tower which is visible around the area and landmarks the actual modern museum site. If you want to go up you do not have to visit the museum itself. You can pay inside the tower building just to go up solely in the tower. On top floor (elevator only) you have great views over Mito city from all directions. Photographs inside gives you a clear indication (in English) what you actually can see. On the entry floor there is a small TV room where you can see its history and building process.Written January 25, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- gharuMito, Japan7 contributionsIt is easy to spend it relaxing very much.
It is not a sightseeing spot, but a city coexists with natureWritten January 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PaulSiowPetaling Jaya, Malaysia2,696 contributionsMito, in particular Kairakuen has many beautiful plum trees. During February and March, there is the Mito Ume Matsuri or festival. When we visited, we could see many plum blossoms which Mito is famous for.Written February 27, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Yuui SagawaMito, Japan8 contributionsForest Park is a very natural place located in the town of Abokke in Mito city. First of all, there are many playgrounds for children there. It is also a place where you can come in contact with animals. Because the park is so large, it is not only for children but also elderly people can stay healthy by walking there.
But, it’s very inconvenient to get this far. Also, each square is very far away, so I get tired of going to the next square. And, you can touch goats and rabbits, but they stink tremendously.
The spring and fall are the best times to visit Forest Park. It is a place you have to walk a lot, so it’s better to come in easy-to-move clothes and shoes. Also, there are no vending machines or restaurants, so it’s better to bring them yourself. If you forget your drink, you will surely die.Written June 7, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Peter ChoyHong Kong, China6,354 contributionsLeaving the hotel, we drive to Kairakuen 偕楽園, which is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, together with Kenrokuen 兼六園 in Kanazawa and Korakuen 後楽園 in Okayama. But before going to the garden, we first visit Tokiwa Shrine 常磐神社, outside the east gate of Kairakuen.
Tokiwa Shrine was founded in 1874. But before then, at Kairakuen, there was already a small shido, or hall of worship, that enshrined the two great feudal lords, Giko and Rekko. The old feudal retainers continued to pay their homage at this small shrine, and they petitioned that an official shrine worthy of the deities should be built.
In 1873, this was sanctioned by the Government, naming it Tokiwa Jinga. The shrine, in that year, was graded also as a National Shrine. Shortly after, a site of the official shrine buildings was chosen, and the construction started.
This project proved so popular for people, not only in Mito itself, but in all the outlying villages, with many making contributions in money, or in kind, or in labour. Thus, in the following year, the buildings had been constructed.
The Senzasai, or ceremony for removing the divine spirits from their temporary abode to the new shrine, was held. Nowadays, it is still commemorated annually as the Reisai, or annual festival.
After paying homage to the deities, I get the goshuin stamp of the shrine.Written January 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - olafoomesAmstelveen, The Netherlands1,660 contributionsBeing the biggest department store in the prefecture the building really stands out in this city. As all comparable department stores in Japan you can get anything here. The overall layout is rather Japanese standard as well: in the basement(s) the food and on the top floor the restaurants. Nice place though.Written January 25, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ART196244 contributionsThe highlight of Mitojō ruins is an original remaining structure, Yakuimon, the gate to the honmaru, now located infront of a highschool. The are some other reconstructed smaller gates at roadsides and the Mitogaku hankō, Kōdōkan, is nearby. The hill top area is now mostly used for school buildings and sports facilities. I appreciated that the school walls and sometimes school buildings themselves are designed with Edo Era flare to reflect their history of their location. I wish my schools looked so cool.
History:
The Castle was founded in 1214 by Baba Sukemoto. Satake Yoshinobu, under the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, took the castle in 1590. After the battle of Sekigahara the Tokugawa’s ruled the castle directly. They enlarged it and built what structures remain today. Tokugawa Ieyasu would come to Mito Castle to get away from politics in the capital where he would practice falconry with hawks. It may interest you to know what Ieyasu had to say about his favourite pastime: "When you go into the country hawking, you learn to understand the military spirit and also the hard life of the lower classes. You exercise your muscles and train your limbs. You have any amount of walking and running and become quite indifferent to heat and cold, and so you are little likely to suffer from any illness."
Mitojō was dismantled by the Meiji government, but they left Yakuimon and a three-storey yagura. The Yagura was destroyed by bombing during the Pacific War. A few small gates have been reconstructed but the castle is now mostly occupied by school buildings. To their credit, the schools are surrounded by edo-style walls, made to look like castle walls (though built from concrete), and one primary school is built entirely in an Edo-ish style. Sannomaru also contains the Kōdōkan, which is place of immense historical importance to Japanese modernsation.Written April 21, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
