Kodokan Mito Domain School

Mito City

Central Ibaraki

Castles/Historical Sites

Kodokan was established in 1841 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth feudal lord of the Mito Domain. It was the largest school among the warrior clan and comparable to a university by today's standards. Students could study medicine, pharmacy, astronomy, and martial arts. Japan’s last shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, was educated at the Kodokan for five years from the age of six. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Yoshinobu spent four months confined to a room in Shizendo, part of the Kodokan complex at the time.

Information

Address: 1-6-29 Sannomaru, Mito City
Access: By public transport: 15-minute walk from Mito Station
By car: 30-minute drive from Mito IC on the Joban Expressway
Business Hours: Business Hours
February 20 to September 30: 9:00-17:00
October 1 to February 19: 9:00-16:30
Closed over the New Year's Holiday (December 29-31)
Website: https://ibarakiguide.jp/park/foreign_language/en/index.html
Contact: TEL:029-231-4725
Parking: Adults: 400 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen
Seniors (age 70 and above): 200 yen
Group Discount Price (20 people or more)
Adults: 300 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 150 yen
Seniors (age 70 and above): 200 yen

Map

See More Visit

Kasama City

Central Ibaraki

Sudo Honke Brewery

With a history spanning 870 years, Sudo Honke Brewery prides itself on using premium quality rice for its junmai daiginjo blend—the highest grade of sake. All of the rice used is grown locally in Kasama City. Sudo Honke sake is dry with a well-rounded, deep flavor profile.

Traditional Crafts/Sake Breweries

Kasama City

Central Ibaraki

Yakimono Dori (Pottery Street)/To no Komichi (Pottery Lane)

Long-established pottery studios and large-sized wholesale stores are lined up at Kasama Yakimono Dori, a street along National Route 355. The numerous facilities include Katsura Tougei, which specializes in handling Kasama-yaki, a Japan Heritage, and Hisa Toukoubou, where visitors can participate in a pottery workshop.

To no Komichi is also a pottery street. It starts from the eastern side of Kasama Yakimono-dori and runs parallel to another craft street, Gallery Road. There are about ten stores directly managed by pottery studios, where visitors can meet the potters directly.

Traditional Crafts/Sake Breweries

Shopping Spots

Tokai Village

Central Ibaraki

Muramatsusan Kokuzodo Temple

The temple is one of just three of its kind in Japan. Visitors can pray to end a streak of bad luck or ask for good fortune.
It is a popular spot for hatsumode, or the first temple visit of the New Year. Visitors line up in the early hours on January 1 to say their prayers for a prosperous year ahead.

Temples/Shrines

View All

Read More About Ibaraki

A Must-See in Autumn! Red Spider Lilies at Gugyoji Temple

Gugyoji Temple is located in Joso, a city in southwestern Ibaraki. Droves of people visit from September to October when the enchanting higanbana or red spider lilies grow. We'll introduce Buddhist narratives about the higanbana, charms of Gugyoji Temple, and recommended spots in the area.

Hidden Gems Near Tokyo! 5 Ibaraki Beaches Recommended by Locals

Ibaraki Prefecture, located northeast of Tokyo, is home to several beaches where you can relax without worrying about the crowds. It’s also a lovely day trip or overnight stay easily accessible from the capital of Japan. This article will introduce five recommended beach spots in Ibaraki!

Learn From Ibaraki Artisans! 5 Hands-on Activities and Craft Workshops

Ibaraki boasts impressive traditional crafts such as Suifu lantern making, Kasama ceramics, Nishinouchi paper, and the processing of local food specialties. Many studios offer hands-on activities for visitors. We introduce five workshops that are both fun and educational.

View All