Mito, Capital city in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Mito is the prefectural capital of Ibaraki region and sits around 62 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo. Lake Senba marks the town center and divides the urban area into several residential zones and commercial districts.
The town became an important administrative center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu placed one of the three main branches of his clan here. This family governed the territory throughout the Edo period and shaped political development until the Meiji Restoration.
The Museum of Modern Art contains over 3,000 artworks from Japanese and international creators, while hosting multiple exhibitions throughout each year.
The town can be reached from Tokyo using express trains in about 75 minutes, arriving at the main railway station. The center and key attractions sit within walking distance from the station or are accessible by local buses.
Kairakuen Garden houses around 3,000 plum trees that bloom in February and March, drawing visitors from across the country. The variety of cultivars ensures the flowering season lasts several weeks and new colors appear daily.
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