Mito Castle

Mito Castle is a Japanese castle site in the city of Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture. The site preserves stone walls and water-filled moats along with the reconstructed Otemon Gate made of heavy timber.

Daijo Sukemoto founded the fortress in 1190 before it passed under the control of the Tokugawa clan during the Edo period. The grounds served as a military base well into modern times and were later converted into school campuses and public parks.

The name comes from three water towers that once irrigated surrounding fields and still live on as Mito in the city designation. Visitors can follow the wide paths along the moats where locals jog in the morning and walk dogs in the afternoon.

The site sits about ten minutes on foot from Mito Station and can be reached comfortably by walking or taking a local bus. The stone walls and moats can be explored freely, while the gate stands open for short visits during daylight hours.

The Kodokan school established in 1841 trained samurai sons in Confucian studies and martial arts and still stands as an educational site within the old boundaries. Some school fences and gates on the former grounds were built in traditional castle style and carry forward the architectural memory.

Location: Mito

Inception: 1190s

Founders: Daijō Sukemoto

Part of: 100 Fine Castles of Japan

GPS coordinates: 36.37278,140.47833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:19