First of all, we will visit the area where the castle was located in the Edo period. Many buildings in the area were destroyed by fire, but some remain. We will visit one of them, Kodokan. Kodokan was one of the largest domain schools in Japan at the time, and was founded by a local feudal lord in 1841. It is a place where students over the age of 15 have studied a variety of subjects. You can get a taste of what it was like back then.

Also next to Kodokan is the newly restored Mito Castle Otemon Gate. You can feel its majestic appearance and size.

This park was created more than 180 years ago by Nariaki Tokugawa, the lord of the Mito Domain. It is said to be one of the three famous gardens in Japan. Nariaki created a place of relaxation that could be enjoyed not only by the high class such as samurai, but also by the common people. Kairaku means to have fun with the citizens. On this private tour, we will follow the wishes of the feudal lord who is the designer, and enter through the main gate and taste the world of yin(Darkness) first and then the world of yang(Brightness). Please enjoy the spectacular view from the old buildings in the park.

By the way, the Mito clan is a relative of the shogun family of Edo, and the first lord of the Mito domain is the grandson of the first shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. Also, the son of Nariaki, who created this park, is the last shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa.

Have a meal at a restaurant in a department store in the central commercial area of Mito. Since is located on a hill, you can see the cityscape and unique terrain of Mito. I recommend pasta dishes from local chains, but there are also other dishes such as Japanese food and soba noodles. Taste your favorite dishes.

Basically, you don't visit this area on a bus tour, so you can see the daily life of the locals.

Of course, there are other restaurants such as a reasonable Western-style restaurant in the central city that are loved by locals.

And if you're going to the seaside area in the afternoon, you can also taste fresh fish dishes at a popular local restaurant.

I will do my best to accommodate your request.

First, we will visit the Oarai Isozaki Shrine, which is located along the coast of Oarai Town.

This shrine was founded more than 1000 years ago. It is enshrined as a god who is said to have created the land of Japan and saved the famine and sick people in this area. The place with the torii gate built on the reef of the Pacific Ocean is a sacred place where the gods are said to have descended, and it is very popular. Admire the main shrine and worship hall, built about 300 years ago at the behest of a local feudal lord, and enjoy the beauty of the shrine architecture of master craftsmen in the early Edo period. After that, we will travel by bus to the neighboring town of Naka Minato to visit the largest fish market in the prefecture or a specialty store that sells locally grown dried sweet potato products and gelato.

Finally, take a popular local train from Naka Minato Station to JR Katsuta Station.

Take the train from Mito Station for about 30 minutes to Kasama.

The central city of Kasama is traveled by public bus.

Kasama is called the Little Kyoto of Ibaraki, and it is a town with an old townscape and pottery.

Kasama also has a thriving chestnut production, and Mont Blanc cake is also popular.

It is also known as an art town, with museums displaying paintings by Monet and Renoir.

There are many attractions in the city, but I will guide you to two from the following areas according to your request.

１． Kasama Inari Shrine and its surroundings (beautiful cityscape of shrine town)

２． Shumpu Banri-so (an old folk house relocated from Kamakura, with a rock garden and a garden of beautiful autumn leaves)

３． Gallery Road (a tour of fashionable shops selling Kasama ware)

In addition, the Chrysanthemum Festival is being held in the city until November 24, 2024.

Please note that this course will not be held on Mondays. (Because many facilities are closed on Mondays)

If you choose seaside course, you can end the tour at Katsuta Station.

(If take the limited express Tokiwa at 4:47 pm, you will arrive at at Tokyo at 6:13 pm.)

If you choose inland course, you can end the tour at Tomobe Station.

(If take the limoted express Tokiwa at 5:03 pm, you will arrive at Tokyo at 6:13 pm.)