What is Mito Meguri
Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture was home to the Tokugawa clan during the Edo period
and flourished as a political, economic, and cultural center.
It also features many heritage sites considered precious to the world, such as Kodokan,
a clan school opened in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki, the 9th lord of the Mito Domain,
and Kairakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
They have also been designated “Japan Heritage” sites by the country.
In this event, we will visit historical and
cultural spots located throughout Mito City beginning
with the Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum,
primarily from dusk to evening and in the morning hours,
allowing you to experience an entirely new style of tourism.
Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
The event may be postponed or canceled depending on the COVID-19 situation. If this happens, we will post a notification on this website, so please be sure to check before you visit.
During the event, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you refrain from visiting the venue if you live in an area subject to a state of emergency issued by the government or independently by a municipality. In addition, we are taking various measures in consideration of the safety of our customers and staff. Please cooperate with the following measures when you visit us.
● Have your temperature taken (If you have a temperature of 37.5 ℃ or higher or you feel unwell, please do not participate)
● We ask that you refrain from visiting if you have experienced symptoms such as fever or cough within the past two weeks, have returned or traveled from abroad, or have had close contact with any people to whom the aforementioned applies.
● Wear a mask ● Be sure to wash and disinfect your hands
● Maintain sufficient distance from other groups
● Register with COCOA, the COVID-19 contact tracing app, and Ibaraki Amabie-chan
Evening Event
Ibaraki Prefectural
Archives and Museum
The Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum, which opened in 1974, is a facility that combines the functions of a history museum and an archive. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the history of Ibaraki from ancient times to the modern era, materials and official documents related to the history of Ibaraki Prefecture are collected and stored. Besides the main building, the large 72,000㎡ plot of land includes private homes that were built during the Edo period, a Western-style school building from the Meiji period.
Main building opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m., establishment closes at 5:00 p.m. The main gate for Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum closes at 7:00 p.m.
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Projection
Mapping
A performance featuring lights and sounds based on Japanese culture and the four seasons will be projected onto the main building of Old Mitsukaido Elementary School.
Venue／Auditorium inside Mito Agricultural High School Old Main Hall
Fee／Free
Application／Not required *Please note that the viewing area may be divided up or the number of visitors may be restricted to avoid crowding.
Time／6:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. , 6:40 p.m. - 6:55 p.m. *Only held on March 2nd-5th (Tuesday － Friday)
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Path of Lights Project
The road from the Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum to the West Gate of Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's three great gardens, will be illuminated with lanterns to provide a dreamlike, harmonious space for everyone. The “teamLab: Digitized Kairakuen Garden” is being held in Kairakuen Garden.
Fee／Free (*The “teamLab: Digitized Kairakuen Garden” event requires an entry fee.) Application／Not required Time／Sunset - 7:00 p.m.
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Special Exhibition
Special Exhibition II Steel and Multicolored Metals-Japanese Swords and Fittings in Ibaraki- February 20th April 11th (Saturday - Sunday), 2021
Fee／Adults: 610 yen, 70 years old or above: 300 yen, University students: 320 yen *High school students and younger are free.
Time／ Opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m., establishment closes at 5:00 p.m.
*May be changed or canceled depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Morning Tours
Japan Heritage (Educational Heritage from Early-Modern Japan (1568-1868)) history exploration morning tours
Take a step back from the bustling Mito station-front area to a quiet historic spot featuring Kodokan Mito Han School―a Japanese Heritage site―and more. On our morning tours, take in the plum blossoms as they near their peak, and feel the history of the place and the presence of the historical figures who lived here.
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Mito Castle Otemon Gate
The Mito Castle Otemon Gate, for which restoration was completed in February 2020, is an example of early Edo Period architectural style. Stand near the gate, one of the nation’s largest of its kind, and look up to get a sense of its imposing size.
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Kodokan Mito Han School
The Kodokan was a school established by Tokugawa Nariaki, ninth daimyo of the Mito Domain, in 1841. It played a comprehensive educational role, spanning subjects such as martial arts to medicine and astronomy. At the time, it was one of the nation’s largest domain-run schools. It was named a Japan Heritage site (Educational Heritage from Early-Modern Japan (1568-1868)) in April 2015.
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Kodokan Mito Han Shcool North Side Plum Blossom Grove
During this season, the 800 plum blossom trees (about 60 varieties) planted on the Kodokan grounds begin to reach their peak. It is believed that Tokugawa Nariaki planted the trees not only for their beauty, but also as an emergency food source. It’s tantalizing to take a meditative moment to think about Lord Nariaki’s intentions as you view the blossoms.
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Sannomaru Building, Ibaraki Prefectural Government Office
This modern gothic architecture style building was used as the Ibaraki Prefectural Government Office until 1999. The neighboring Ibaraki Prefectural Library, boasting sprawling lawns―which once served as the prefectural assembly building―is now a recreational area for the people of the prefecture.
Digital Stamp Rally
Win wonderful souvenirs through the digital stamp rally!
Those who visit designated spots during the event and collect three digital stamps will be entered into a raffle in which 100 entrants will win local products.
Event period／March 2nd-7th (Tuesday - Sunday
)
Entry deadline／11:59 p.m. on March 7th(Sunday)
How to enter the drawing: Visitors must collect three stamps by reading the QR codes at 1) Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum, 2) Kairakuen Garden, and 3) Kodokan Mito Han School Gate, and fill out the entry form.
Prizes／Prefectural goods and other gifts will be awarded to 100 entrants!
Winners will be notified through delivery of the prizes in lieu of an announcement.
Nearby Attractions
*May be changed or canceled depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Mito Plum Blossom Festival
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The Mito Plum Blossom Festival is held in Kairakuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. At this festival with over 120 years of history, visitors can enjoy 3,000 plum blossom trees of about 100 varieties as well as various events.
Event period／March 1st - 21st (Monday Sunday), 2021
- teamLab: Digitized
Kairakuen GardenSolo Exhibition -
The Digital Kairakuen Garden event is held alongside the Mito Plum Blossom Festival. teamLab will create an art space with interactive lights that change along with the presence of people.
Event period／March 1st - 31st (Monday Wednesday), 2021
Access
Access by Train/Bus
- Mito Station
- ▼
- ▶
- Take the Kairakuen-bound No. 4 bus or another bus from the North Exit
- ▼ 10min
- ▶
10min - Get off at “Archives and Museum/Kairakuen Entrance”
- ▼ 2min on foot
- ▶
2min on foot - Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
To the Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
Get off at JR Mito Station on the Joban Line, take the Kairakuen-bound No. 4 bus or another bus from the North Exit to “Sakuragawa Nishi Danchi,” about 10 minutes away, get off at “Archives and Museum/Kairakuen Entrance,” and walk for 2 minutes.
In addition, the “Mito Tour 1-day Free Ticket (100 yen for unlimited rides in the target zone for one day)” that loops around to Mito Station, Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum, Kairakuen Garden, and other spots is another convenient option.
Access by Taxi
Outbound
- Mito Station North Exit
- ▼ 10min
- ▶
10min - In front of the main gate of Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
on foot
Inbound
- Kairakuen Parking Lot
- ▼ 10min
- ▶
10min - Mito Station
North Exit
For foreign tourists living in Japan, we operate a shuttle taxi between Mito Station and Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum/Kairakuen at a special rate.
Outbound／Pick-up: Mito Station Ticket Gate (Shuttle taxi driver will come meet you) → Drop-off: In front of the main gate of Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
Inbound／Pick-up: Kairakuen parking lot → Drop-off: Mito Station North Exit
Fee／1,000 yen (paid the same day)
Application／Please apply at least 3 days in advance using the inquiry form.
Access by Car
- Mito IC on the Joban Expressway
- ▼ 15min
- ▶
15min - Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
- Mito Station
North Exit - ▼ 7min
- ▶
7min - Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
To Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
About 7 km or 15 minutes from the Mito Interchange on the Joban Expressway
About 3 km or 7 minutes from Mito Station (North Exit) on the JR Joban Line
*The parking lot (room for 124 standard vehicles) is free, but closes at 9:00 p.m. (Parking for those with disabilities (3 vehicles) is available.)
