Where in Japan is Craft?

About Mito City

     Mito is located on the Eastern coast of Japan just north of Tokyo.  With the end of the Edo Era, the new Meiji government began to work towards the centralizing of Japanese countryside. In 1871 the Mito  Han ( feudal territory ) became the capitol of the Ibakarai prefecture ( state). On April 1st, 1889, Mito City was formed from the emerging of the Mito Han, Uwaichi, Shimoichi part of the Tokiwa Hosoya, Yoshida and Hamada Villages.  At that time there 5,052 households with a population of 25,591.
     Mito is a city of nature, surrounded by water and greenery.  It is also a city of history, with relics that speak of a traditional yet creative past. the residents of Mito City enjoy suburban gardens, ample sunlight and cool winds with broad expansions of water. In ancient times, outlets of rivers and lakes were called Mito or Minato. Mito City is named because it is located between the Naka River and Lake Senba.
     They will be celebrating the Hydrangea Festival during June and July in Howaen¹s Japanese landscape garden. It is said to have about 5,500 hydrangeas that are blooming in a quiet garden with ponds. I hope to visit while I am there. They are also famous for Kairakuen Park which is an fabulous garden I have visited before. It is one of the top 3 gardens in all of Japan ! It was build in 1842 to please one of the famous Lords of Mito. It has 3,000 plum trees belonging to over 100 different types. It was home for Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth Lord of Mito.

Land Area: 68 sq. miles
Population : 247,245 ( 1999)
City Tree: Plum Tree
City Flower : Bush Clover
City Bird: Pied Wagtail