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Daikumachi

Located in Mito City, historically associated with the Mito Tokugawa family (one of the three main Tokugawa clans), Daikumachi is one of the vibrant downtown districts in the northern Kanto area. The name "Daikumachi" comes from the fact that many carpenters ("daiku" in Japanese) lived in the town ("machi" in Japanese) during the period when the area was a castle town of Mito Castle.

Here, more than 300 establishments, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese eateries, snack bars, and bars, are clustered together, creating a lively atmosphere at night. It is home to many restaurants serving Mito's local cuisine, such as eel and anko-nabe (monkfish hot pot), as well as long-established historic ryotei (Japanese-style restaurants). Visitors can also experience the culture of "ozashiki" (a form of traditional banquet arrangement) with performances by geisha-like entertainers from the Mito Performing Artists Association, dressed in traditional Japanese attire.

Suzuki Mohei Shoten Shop

Suzuki Mohei Shoten, established in 1865, is one of the Suifu chochin (paper lantern) manufacturers.
Suifu chochin (with the name Suifu coming from the old name of Mito City) is a traditional craft of the city which originated about 400 years ago when low-ranking samurai, to support their livelihood, began making folding paper lanterns from high-grade, durable Nishinouchi paper produced in the northern part of the prefecture.
Suzuki Mohei Shoten makes lanterns not only for traditional events, but also modern-style lanterns for interior use, including lanterns with unique shapes like birds and stars, as well as those with a sound-sensor lighting function.
In addition to selling products the shop also offers a hands-on experience of making a Suifu chochin, a workshop rarely available at other manufacturers.
Please ensure to make a reservation in advance if you wish to participate.

Kasumigaura Dobutsu to Minna no Ie

Kasumigaura Doubutsu to Minna no Ie is a facility located on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura in Namegata City. It opened in July 2024 after large-scale renovations and redevelopment of a former public facility.
Here, visitors can not only see the animals but also interact with them. The modern architectural complex is divided into indoor and outdoor areas, where visitors can encounter a variety of animals, including giraffes, alpacas, capybaras, penguins, tortoises, sheep, goats, and sloths.
The surrounding area of the facility also offers various activities throughout the year, including barbecues, shopping for local products, cycling, and camping.
*Some activities require a reservation.

Ikisu Shrine

Ikisu Shrine, along with Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Katori Jingu Grand Shrine (Chiba Prefecture), has long been revered as one of the most powerful spiritual sites in the Kanto region—the "Three Shrines of the East."
With a history spanning over 1,200 years, Ikisu Shrine enshrines Kunado-no-Kami (the God of good fortune, protection from evil spirits, travel safety, and wells) as its main deity, alongside Ama-no-Torifune-no-Kami (the God of travel safety) and Sumiyoshi-Sanjin (the Gods of maritime protection).
Additionally, the Oshioi spring, located on the shrine grounds, is one of Japan's three sacred springs and is believed to be beneficial. It is said that if a woman drinks the spring water from a man's bottle and a man drinks from a woman's bottle, the two will be united.
*Currently, the water from the Oshioi spring cannot be consumed directly from the well. However, visitors can draw water from chozuya (a traditional water basin for …

Suigo-Itako Iris Garden

The Suigo-Itako Iris Garden, covering an area of approximately 1.3 hectares, is located along the river in Itako City. Every year, from late May to late June, around 1 million irises of 500 varieties bloom in full glory. At the Suigo-Itako Iris Festival, held during the blooming season, visitors can experience the traditional culture of Itako City.
In the past, robune (Japanese rowboat) were commonly used in Itako City, much like private vehicles for traveling along the waterways. These boats were also used for a wedding tradition— to bring a bride to her husband's home. Today, the Yomeiribune (bride boat), which recreates this tradition, is a popular event held during the festival. Visitors can also enjoy robune tours and the Ayame Dance.

In addition to irises, the park also features seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, wisteria, and hydrangeas.

Mito Daishi Rokujizoji Temple

Founded in 807, Mito Daishi Rokujizoji Temple has long been known as a sacred place for safe childbirth and child-rearing. It is especially popular during the Japanese tradition of omiyamairi, a ceremony held around 30 days after a child’s birth to pray for lifelong health and good fortune, drawing parents and children from across the Kanto region.
It is the family temple of the Shogunate and the Mito Tokugawa family and is one of the best spots in Ibaraki Prefecture to see the cherry blossoms that bloom from mid-March to early April. Approximately 50 weeping cherry trees are in full bloom, including a 200-year-old weeping cherry tree that is said to be a descendant of a tree admired by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the second Daimyo (feudal lord) of the Mito Domain. There are also other ancient trees on the temple grounds, such as a giant cedar and ginkgo estimated to be around 1,000 years old. Seasonal flowers and foliage adorn the temple throughout the year, creating a stunningly bea…

Aoki Sake Brewery

Founded in 1831, Aoki Sake Brewery is currently the only sake brewer in Koga City that performs all of the operations from brewing the sake to selling and also continues to preserve the local flavor. The building, a merchant-style structure with a doma (earthen-floor entrance), is over 100 years old, and the red brick walls, common in Koga—a region historically known for brick production—create a nostalgic atmosphere, as if stepping back in time. Sake made from local rice such as Nipponbare and Hitachi-Nishiki, grown in the rich soil of Ibaraki Prefecture, all have a crisp taste and have won them numerous awards in Japan.
There is also a store, and you can visit the brewery and taste the sake, so please inquire in advance.

Shunpu Banriso

Shunpu Banriso is a 300-square-meter thatched-roof private house that was the residence of Kitaoji Rosanjin, a famous Japanese artist active from the late 19th to mid-20th century in many fields including pottery, calligraphy, and cooking, and was moved from Kita-Kamakura.

Some rooms inside the house were personally designed by Rosanjin. The facility also displays furniture handmade by Rosanjin and his favorite items. The vast garden around is lush with cherry blossoms, azaleas, maples, irises, and many other plants and trees, offering scenery that changes with the seasons.

In addition, a private lunch is served in the Nagayamon (one of the traditional Japanese gates) by reservation only. It is available for one group per day, with a maximum of 7 people. Please call to make a reservation at least two days in advance.

Coworking & Café Yuinowa

Coworking & Café Yuinowa is a coworking space and café renovated from a 90-year-old former kimono store, and it also offers activities such as walking around town in a Yuki-tsumugi Haori (traditional Japanese jacket).

Yuki-tsumugi is the oldest silk fabric in Japan with a history of over 2,000 years, produced mainly in Yuki City, and is registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

You can experience Japanese culture on a deeper level by renting a Haori made from precious materials and strolling through the nostalgic streets lined with shops selling local products, stylish cafés, and sake breweries. Please inquire about rentals in advance via the facility's website.

Atago Forest House (in Atago Tengu no Mori Park)

Atago Forest House, located near the summit of Mt. Atago at an altitude of 306 meters, was renovated and reopened in April 2024 within Atago Tengu no Mori Park as a base for hiking trails to Mt. Nandai / Mt. Wagakuni. In addition to a café with an observation deck, the design of which incorporates local Kasama pottery and Inada stone for the countertop walls and tabletops, it also has shower facilities.The park also offers various attractions for children, such as "Maruta log steppers" made of logs of different heights, a 100-meter roller slide, and more.
Mt. Atago, where Atago Forest House is located, is ideal for drives, hikes, and picnics with the family. In late March to early April, magnificent cherry blossoms bloom from the hillside to the top of the mountain.

Kujiragaoka Shopping Street

The nostalgic atmosphere of "Kujiragaoka Shopping Street" spreads across an area centered around a 600-meter shopping street located on hills in Hitachiota City. Among the quaint scenery of storehouses from the Meiji (1868-1912) and Showa (1926-1989) eras, some stores have been rearranged in a modern style.
The street, characterized by alleys and slopes, is lined with stores popular among young people, such as variety shops, traditional Japanese sweet shops, and dagashi stores (selling nostalgic, inexpensive sweets for children). Visitors can enjoy walking around and sampling different snacks. Also recommended is the specialty of Kujiraya, located in the central area, which serves "kujirayaki" (kujira means "whale")—a whale-shaped variation of taiyaki (a traditional Japanese snack made by sandwiching various fillings, such as cream, between flour dough and baking it in the shape of a sea bream).

Tsukuba Botanical Garden

Tsukuba Botanical Garden is a unique and fascinating botanical garden in Tsukuba City, one of Japan's leading research hubs.

The expansive grounds showcase plants that are representative of Japan, as well as rare species from all over the world. Visitors can learn about plant variety and evolution, with approximately 3,000 species from diverse climate zones such as tropical, arid, and temperate regions. It provides a chance to experience the rich diversity of nature and feel the mystery of the natural world.

The garden also has special exhibitions and workshops, providing a range of events that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. The gift shop offers guidebooks, botanical postcards, bookmarks, notepapers, plant-related books, and the original products.
Tsukuba Botanical Garden is highly recommended as a place where visitors can enjoy both educational experiences and relaxation.