Mito City is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, known for Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, especially famous for its plum blossoms. The city also houses the historical Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History. Local cuisine includes Mito natto, a fermented soybean dish. It is close to both the Pacific Ocean and Lake Senba, offering a mix of urban and natural landscapes.