Quiz from a former Ibaraki resident: What comes to mind for Mito? People—Mito Komon (Mitsukuni Tokugawa), Yoshinobu Tokugawa, Nariaki Tokugawa? No big modern politicians; no Ibaraki-born PM ever, prewar included. Rareshō is from Ushiku—long road to yokozuna.
Specialty: natto. But fresh vegetables, meat, fish abound—delicious without fuss, so no signature dish needed, they say.
This time: plums. Mito means plums. Mito citizens (Ibarakians) love them. One of Japan's three great gardens, "Kairaku-en," is in Mito. Early plum news already—site "Kairaku-en Express" (http://www.kairakuen.u-888.com/) run by Ibaraki park supporters "Kairaku-en Four Seasons Club" posted Jan 11: "Plums beginning to open at Kairaku-en"＝photo upper.
Kairaku-en was built in 1842 (Tenpo 13) by 9th lord Nariaki as "a place to enjoy together with the people"—a garden for retainers and subjects. In Feb–Mar, ~100 varieties, 3,000 trees bloom on ~13 hectares. During the Plum Festival (Feb 20–Mar 31 this year), Sundays are "Plum Viewing Days" with outdoor tea, photo ops with Mito Komon and retinue, koto concerts; JR Joban Line makes extra stops at "Kairaku-en Station" mainly weekends/holidays.
In July 1999 it merged with adjacent Senba Lake and surroundings as "Kairaku-en Park"—300 hectares, world's second-largest urban park after Central Park. When kids were small, we'd bring them here for relaxed play.Photo upper left shows plums and Senba Lake from Kōbuntei (Nariaki's villa) on Mar 5, 2009 during the festival.
Proudest point for an ex-resident: among Japan's three great gardens, Kairaku-en alone has free admission (Kōbuntei: adults ¥190, students ¥100). Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is free early morning but you must leave 15 minutes before paid hours. I recall Mito Tokugawa donated it to the prefecture on condition admission stay free (the prefecture seems to want users to share upkeep costs).
From Takebashi (Palaceside) to Mito: subway/JR to Ueno, then Joban limited express ~1.5 hours (fare ¥3,670 incl. ¥1,300 unreserved express). Via Kitasenju or Matsudo on local Joban ~2.5 hours (¥2,080). I often use locals too.