Mito Kairakuen and Kodokan with Natto Gourmet Course

Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, is a former castle town where the Mito domain, one of the three branches of the Tokugawa family, flourished during the Edo period. With Kairakuen, counted among Japans three great gardens, the Kodokan school where samurai once studied, and natto as the signature local food, you can pack history and gourmet into a single day here. Known also for its plum blossoms, the town offers a calm walk in any season.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Mito Station At the north exit rotary stand statues of the three famous characters from the Mito Komon tales. After a photo, head first to the nearby Kodokan.

9:20 Visit the Kodokan This was one of Japans largest domain schools, founded by the Mito domain. Everything from martial arts to medicine was studied here, and walking the quiet halls and garden conveys the atmosphere of learning from that era.

10:30 Move to Kairakuen Take a bus or walk to Kairakuen. From the Kobuntei pavilion inside the garden you can look out over Lake Senba, and you can slowly wander the plum grove and bamboo forest.

12:30 Lunch with natto gourmet Enjoy a set meal or soba noodles made with Mitos famous natto. The rich and stringy local natto also makes a well received souvenir.

14:00 Stroll along Lake Senba End the day with a walk along the lakeside. The calm shore where water birds gather is a place to catch your breath.

Highlights

Kairakuen is planted with about three thousand plum trees of a hundred varieties, creating a splendid floral scene in early spring. Visiting it together with the Kodokan lets you feel the spirit of balancing scholarship and martial skill that the Mito domain valued. Lake Senba has rental boats and walking paths, making it popular with families too.

Access and Tips

From Mito Station to Kairakuen is a bus ride of just over ten minutes. During the plum festival a temporary station opens, making access much more convenient. Wearing comfortable shoes keeps the gentle slopes inside the garden easy to manage.

A Quick Tip

Even if you dislike natto, there are easy to enjoy options such as processed sweets and fried natto. Try just a bite first, and you may discover the surprising depth of Mitos flavors.