Food Quiche Niche in Kasama Elysse Hurtado If you’re looking for a cool place to eat in Kasama, look no further than the mysteriously named Wasugazen Cafe nestled in the..
Culture Fukuda Kilns Elysse Hurtado Fukuda Kiln is one of Kasama’s many intrepid solo kilns, currently run by the 12th generation of the family and covering a spr..
Food An Urban Oasis in Mito Elysse Hurtado Hidden in the back of a building, with only a very simply sign advertising it, is one of Mito’s best-kept secrets. Rin is an e..
Culture Mito's Plum Blossom Festival 2026 Mid Feb - Late Mar Every year during the second last week of February, Mito’s Kairakuen plays host to the Mito Plum Festival. Thanks to its long ..
Activities Kairakuen Park, Mito Elysse Hurtado Each garden has its own different set-up and selection of flora, but behind Kairakuen’s beauty lies a twist: beyond simply ple..
Shopping Yuki's Traditional Silk-Weaving Elysse Hurtado From its legendary beginnings in the mists of time, the legacy of silk-weaving has been passed down from generation to generation..
Culture Timeless Tranquility Elysse Hurtado Roughly a 10 minute walk from Itako Station is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, the venerable (and long-suffering) Chos..
Culture Forest Sanctuary Elysse Hurtado Purportedly established around 600BC by Emperor Jimmu, Kashima Shrine is one of Japan’s most venerated Shinto places of worship.