Spots in Mito / Kasama Area

  • Kasama Inari Jinja
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    4.0
    141 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 1
    Located in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this shrine has long been the object of adoration for the god of rich harvest and mercantile success. Considered to be one of Japan’s Top Three Inari Shrines, it hosts 3.5 million visitors every year, and is one of the prefecture’s best spots for New Year’s worship. A number of religious ceremonies like yabusame and bugaku are performed during the “Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival” held in autumn.

    I was here with a cruise ship shore excursion April 28. This wa a restful place to be after the crowds and noise of other venues during Golden Week, the time of the Emperor abdication/ coronation...

  • Kairakuen
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Tokiwachou 1-3-3
    This Japanese-style garden in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture was created by Tokugawa Nariaki—ninth lord of the Mito clan—in 1842. Along with Kanazawa’s Kenroku-en and Okayama’s Korakuen, it is one of Japan’s Top Three Gardens, and is nationally designated as both Historical Sites and Places of Scenic Beauty. It’s also famous for plum-viewing in spring, with roughly 3,000 plum trees in 100 varieties. The flowers and trees are beautiful year-round, with azaleas, cherry blossoms and fall leaves teaming up with Lake Senba to make memorable scenes. Every year, the “Mito Plum Festival” is held from late February to March.
  • Tokiwa Jinja Shrine
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    3.5
    119 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Tokiwachou 1-3-1
    "A Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the second lord of Mito Domain and star character in the fictionalized popular historical television drama ""Mito Komon;"" and Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of Mito Domain and a man considered one of the great intelligences of the closing days of the Edo period. The origins of the shrine date back to a small lay ancestral hall built on the grounds of Kairakuen Park in the early Meiji period by parishioners who idolized the two lords. Exhibits on Mitogaku, a school Japanese history and Shinto studies which emerged in Mito domain; as well as articles which belonged to Mitsukuni and Nariaki; calligraphy by the two men; and other historical items are displayed in the Giretsukan museum on the shrine's grounds."

    Tokiwa Shrine is located in Mito. It is easy to go from Mito Station. The shrine was built in Meiji era and is dedicated to Mito -Koumon. There are four kinds of shrines on the grounds in addition...

  • Art Tower Mito
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    4.0
    102 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Gokenchou 1-6-8
    The Art Tower Mito is a joint art facility located about 10 minutes by car from Mito Station. It has an art museum with mainly modern art exhibits, a concert hall complete with pipe organ, and a stage for musicals and traditional arts like rakugo. Uniquely composed of equilateral triangular panels, the Symbol Tower features a lookout deck with a view of Mito City and vicinity. You can get a tour of the interior (includes the tower) even as an individual.

    We were pleased to see the tower, and the whole art centre complex, but it was very quiet with not a lot going on. The tower was closed, as was the contemporary art gallery. The foyer with the...

  • Ibaraki Prefectural Archives and Museum
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    4.0
    58 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Midorichou 2-1-15
    "A facility which serves as both an archive and museum located a two-minute walk from the ""Rekishikan Kairakuen Iriguchi"" bus stop on the bus leaving from Mito Station on the JR Joban Line. The facility presents the results of research into materials and artefacts connected to the history of Ibaraki. The facility's spacious grounds also enclose an Edo period farmhouse and Meiji period Western-style school house which were dismantled and moved here. The facility's standing exhibit focuses on the history of Ibaraki. Easy to understand videos, graphic panels, and other exhibits present the prehistoric, ancient, near-modern, and modern history periods of the prefecture. The facility also holds lectures and activities for elementary and junior high school aged children."

    尊皇攘夷の先駆の藩、水戸藩の詳しい資料があるかなと思い来ましたが、市販の歴史書の方が詳しいですね。どちらかというと明治以降や石器時代の方が広くスペースを取っているようです。更にほとんどが撮影禁止です。少し残念ですね。

  • Kasama Nichido Museum of Art
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    4.5
    52 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 978-4
    "An art museum located a three-minute walk from the ""Nichido Bijutsukan Iriguchi"" bus stop on the Kasama Loop bus in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The museum's large collection of artwork by domestic and international artists includes Renoir's ""Girl at the Fountain"" and ""Venus Victorious,"" Ryusei Kishida's ""Maruyama-kun,"" and Hiroshi Okutani's ""Fusei."" In addition to the museum's standing exhibition of French artists and a special exhibition hall, the museum has more unique facilities, such as an outdoor sculpture garden, and a palette exhibition which presents palettes used by various painters."

    板谷波山が展示されていた茨城陶芸美術館のついでに見学しました。ウォーホルのC夫人像が面白いと思いました。新美術館で開催されたキミコパワーズ夫妻のコレクション展を見ていたのでC夫人像を見た時ウォーホルが随分塗っている、と思いました。珍しいものを見ました。

  • Crafthills Kasama
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    4.0
    57 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 2388-1
    "Crafthills Kasama is located in Kasama Geijutsunomori Park, around 10 minutes' drive via National Route 355 from the Tomobe Interchange of the Kita-Kanto Expressway. At Crafthills Kasama, visitors can enjoy making their own Kasama-ware ceramics. Based around the concept of ""moving beyond ceramics that you can look at to ceramics that you can have fun with,"" Crafthills Kasama offers electric potter's wheel experience activities, hand-thrown pottery experience activities, and ceramics painting experience activities, etc. For those with a more serious interest in ceramics, Crafthills Kasama runs a Ceramics School that can help would-be ceramists progress from beginner to having solid ceramics-making skills. Other popular craft experience activities include silver clay art making, where participants can learn how to make unique silver accessories from silver clay. There is also a permanent exhibition of ceramic art, and special seasonal exhibitions."

    焼き物を中心とした美術工芸品が屋外に飾られている公園です。敷地は広いですがかなり高低差のある広場なので、球技などで遊ぶというよりも散策を楽しむスペースになっています。 草むら風の不思議なオブジェや謎の矢印の置物など、ちょっとゼルダの伝説の世界観があります。陶器風タイルで覆われた道はかなり滑るので雨の日にはお勧めしません。

  • Mito City Forest Park
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    4.0
    33 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Abotsukechou 588-1
    A park enclosing pine forest, mixed tree groves, and ponds. The numerous life-sized models of dinosaurs are popular with children. There's also large playground equipment and a petting zoo where children can play with goats and rabbits.

    Forest 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...

  • Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 2345 Kasama Art Forest Park
    "A prefectural art museum located inside Kasama Geijutsunomori Park a five-minute drive from JR Kasama Station. Dedicated to the concepts of ""excitement,"" ""understanding,"" and ""fun,"" the museum presents the history and techniques of Kasama ware. The museum's standing exhibition consists of pieces by recipients of the Order of Culture and Living National Treasures. The museum also displays famous pieces by potters closely connected to Ibaraki Prefecture in addition to holding special exhibitions of primarily pottery from within the prefecture and beyond. Bright and with a quiet atmosphere, the museum also has a shop and restaurant, making it easy to visitors to take their time, have fun, and enjoy the works of ceramic art on display."

    見学者は息を凝らして板谷波山の作品を見つめていました。じっと佇み作品に目を凝らして用意に動こうとしません。こういう雰囲気の展示会は稀だと思います。途中で集中力を解放しようと休憩しました。圧巻の展示だったと思いますし見終えて心地よい疲れを感じました。 此処へは上野8時半の特急に乗り友部駅から笠間周遊バスで来ました。上野駅で特急券を販売機で買いましたが下車駅の友部駅が表示されないので石岡まで買い友部駅...

  • Shirosato Town Hororunoyu
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    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunshirosatomachi Shimofuruchi 1829-3
    A hot spring bathing facility dedicated to promoting health located in Shirosato Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture. The main bathhouse area makes use of a simple hot spring whose alkaline waters are said to benefit nerve pain and sensitivity to cold. The bathhouse has two bathing areas-a large wood and stone Japanese-style bathing area and a tiled Western-style bathing area. The facility has a bath for the disabled and also makes use of sanitary measures such as antibacterial agents on the walls and floors. There are also swimming pools, a restaurant, and rest area, and the facility offers swimming and yoga classes.

    When I went to the hot spring, Hororunoyu in Shirosato, which is located in northwest from Mito city, I noticed something. First of all, the employee who was working there greeted me. So, I was very...

  • Hitachinokuni Izumo Taisha Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Fukuhara 2006
    About a seven-minute walk from Fukuhara Station on the JR Mito Line, Hitachinokuni Izumo Taisha is a shrine for worshipping mainly the Okuninushi, dedicated in 1992. There is the main hall where the presiding god sits in repose, as well as the Yakushin Shrine for medical needs and Ryujya Shrine for protection from water. The grounds include multiple cemeteries—even a pet cemetery—for religious and funeral ceremonies, as well as a restaurant serving Inaniwa udon, a glass studio— “Izumokan,” and an art gallery— “Sakurabayashi-kan.”
  • The Tokugawa Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Migawa 1-1215-1
    This museum is located near Senba Park, a 10-minute drive from Mito Station. Along with belongings from Tokugawa Ieyasu other works of art related to the Mito-Tokugawa family, including swords and a war-fan decorated with a pine tree painting, and various historical records are stored. You can also experience a tea-ceremony in the Tokugetsutei tea house, a tea house which had deep ties to the Tokugawa family and which has been relocated here. With reservation you can enjoy the Nariaki Gozen meal on the garden terrace, a contemporary arrangement of a recipe from the Shoku Sai Roku book written by Tokugawa Nariaki, ninth head of the Mito-Tokugawa family.
  • Shunpu Banri-so
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    4.0
    19 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Kasama-shi Shimoichige Art no Mura
    An old Japanese home located a 20-minute drive from the Iwama Interchange. The thatch roof home was once the residence of Rosanjin, an artist active from the Meiji through the Showa periods. The home was moved here from Kita-Kamakura in 1965. The interior of the home is kept in the same state it looked when Rosanjin lived here. Furniture created by the artist and other articles which belonged to him are also on display. As a special event, tea ceremonies are held in the Mukyoan teahouse designed by Rosanjin once to twice a year. Visitors can also enjoy matcha powdered green tea and sweets like anmitsu sweet beans and fruit in syrup while taking in flowering cherry and plum trees, fall foliage, and other seasonal scenery of a rock garden from the Shunpuan teahouse.

    陶芸家北大路魯山人がかつて住んでいた古民家を昭和40年に鎌倉から移築し笠間日動画廊の分館として公開されている。内部は大広間とそれに続く魯山人の作品を展示した部屋、馬屋を改造した洋間、風呂場と厠、そして本来は独立していた茶室「夢境庵」などなど。また茶室から眺められる竜安寺を模したという枯山水の石庭は見事なものだ。その他広い敷地には2つの池もありその1つには庭に配された石組の間から水が流れ落ちている...

  • Ceramic Art Kilala-kan
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    4.5
    16 Reviews
    Shopping
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 2258-1
    A ceramics shop carrying close to 10 thousand pieces by some 500 potters. Located close to the south entrance of Kasama Geijutsunomori Park, the shop can be identified by its large, floor to ceiling windows which occupy most of the front facade of the building. Pieces by ceramics artists are on display right by the entrance and the content of this display is changed every other week. Weekly exhibitions are also held in the shop's gallery space. The shop displays pieces not only by veteran potters but young up and comers as well. In the cafe corner, you can choose your favorite cup from among the many designed by shop artists and take a relaxing coffee break.

    明るく綺麗な建物内で様々な展示がありじっくり吟味したい方にはとても良いと思います。少しだけ通路に余裕があると良いかなと思いました。 次は夏のネコ展に来れたらなと思いました。

  • Mito OPA
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    3.0
    10 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Mito-shi Miyamachi 1-7-33 Mito South Tower 1F-12F
    A large, 12 story shopping mall adjoining the south entrance of JR Mito Station. The 15 LED screens which make up the Mito OPA-vision playing advertisements and providing shop information give the mall a visually striking exterior. The mall is also connected to the Excel Minato building via a pedestrian walkway, and a passageway also connects it to the north entrance of the station, giving visitors easy access to shopping. Many of the shops in the mall are the first locations of their kind in Ibaraki. The mall is a great place for fashion-conscious young people to pick up the latest trends from Tokyo, and also makes a great date destination as well.

    JR水戸駅に接続する商業施設です。改札口からは雨にぬれずに行けます。コロナのせいなのか、一部の飲食店が撤退していて寂しい感じです。

  • Kodokan
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Sannomaru 1-6-29
    This school, built by the ninth lord of Mito Domain Tokugawa Nariaki in 1841, was once one of the largest domain-sponsored schools in the country. During the Battle of the Kodokan, an internal struggle which occurred in 1868, the majority of the building was destroyed in a fire, but portions of the original facility, including the front gate, Shizendo hall, and reception hall, as well as stone monuments, still stand today. In 2015, the location was designated a Japan Heritage Site by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as part of the Educational Heritage from Early-Modern Japan group of structures. Inside, there is a museum space where visitors can view historical materials and artefacts such as Chinese poetry by esteemed intellectual Yoshida Shoin; and a picture of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of Japan.
  • Shirosatocho General Outdoor Activities Center Fureainosato
    rating-image
    4.0
    7 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Higashiibaraki-gun Shirosatomachi Kamiirino 4384

    電源なしオートキャンプが1サイト2250円と安い。きっちり区画されたサイトは狭く、繁忙期には隣サイトが近く気になるだろう。

  • Toshogu Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Miyamachi 2-5-13
    "A Shinto shrine dedicated to the mighty shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu which was erected in 1621 by Tokugawa Yorifusa, the first lord of Mito Domain. Today, Yorifusa himself is also enshrined here. The shrine owns many precious historical artefacts connected to the Tokugawa clan, including a copper lantern donated by Yorifusa, a temple bell known as the Tokiwayama Jisho which was caste on the order of Tokugawa Mitsukuni, and an ancient horse-drawn tank called the ""Anjinsha"" invented by Tokugawa Nariaki."
  • Kairo Gallery Mon
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    4.5
    4 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 2230-1
    A gallery primarily focusing on Kasama ware located on the Kasama Gallery Road a 20-minute walk from Kasama Station on the JR Mito Line. The gallery was opened in 2002 with the aim of being a space for exchange between artists in the country and around the world. Making use of a storehouse and gallery encircling a courtyard, charming wooden shelves scattered throughout the facility are covered with pottery. Harmonizing with the surrounding nature, the gallery makes use of natural lighting to show off its wares. In addition to displaying pieces by a selection of permanent artists, the facility also has a solo exhibition space whose contents changes every two weeks.

    いろいろな作家さんの、陶器がたくさん置いてあり ゆっくりと見て回るのが、楽しい場所です。 陶器だけではなく、お箸や、いろいろな小物を見て 回るのも楽しいです。

  • Roadside Station Katsura
    Transportation
    Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunshirosatomachi Gozenyama 37
    A roadside station commanding a view of the Naka River and Gozenyama Prefectural Natural Park. The station sells a variety of local specialty products as well as fresh produce picked that morning. The station's handmade sweets are particularly popular. The station's shelves are filled with dorayaki pancake sandwiches, manju buns, and other tasty confections.

Ibaraki Areas

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Just a stone’s throw from Tokyo, Ibaraki is a coastal prefecture that has mastered juxtapositions, where old shrines meet new scientific discoveries and traditional gardens are frequented by the inventors of some of the newest technology. Head to Mito City's Kairakuen - one of Japan's Three Great Gardens - in spring to experience the cellestial blooming of fantastic cherry blossoms at the annual sakura festival.

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