![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Mito-Art-Tower-Susan-Thomas.jpg\" "\\"Mito")
<\/a>In his honor, Mito hosts a Mito Komon festival every summer. The festival includes a parade filled with dancing, elaborate floats, and good food. A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mito Komon\u00e2\u20ac\u009d makes an appearance, sporting his typical yellow hat and purple vest and thin, white beard. One of the first things I did as jet-lagged ALT was dance down the streets of Mito in the Mito Komon parade. Dressed in red and blue yukata, we newly-arrived gaijin were taught traditional Japanese dances. We were sweaty, unpracticed, uncoordinated, but happy, especially during the numerous \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beer breaks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\nA snow of pink, white, and red petals can be seen floating from Kairakuen Park in Mito. It is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, and it has more than 3 thousand types of plum trees. The blossoms are celebrated during the Mito Plum Festival held Febuary 20th<\/sup> to March 31st<\/sup>. At Kairakuen, you can take a boat ride on Mito\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Semba lake, feed the slightly scary black swans, or just lie under the cherry trees during hanami. You may be able to glimpse the Mito Art Tower above the cherry trees. This twisted, geometric landmark is an icon for the city. Riding an elevator to the top of the art tower and gazing over our capital is now, unfortunately, impossible, as the tower was structurally damaged during the Tohoku earthquake. Despite the damage, it still stands, defining our skyline.<\/p>\n In Ibaraki\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Ushiku, you can view the world from inside the head of a Buddha. This bronze Buddha is Japan’s tallest standing Buddha statue. An elevator will take you up 120 meters. You can over-look the flower gardens and a nearby animal park.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ku be!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eat!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Ibaraki-ben. While at the Mito Komon festival or anytime during your Ibaraki sightseeing, you can sample our famous food. Ibaraki is known for its tender Hitachi beef, green-colored Hitachi Aki soba, and melons – we are the largest melon producer in Japan. Also, the Okukuji area is famous for apples. You can try a delicious, fresh apple or soak with then in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ringo-buro\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (apple-filled) onsen. Adding apples to the hot volcanic water is supposed to give you a good dose of vitamins, although it may give you the feeling of soaking in warm apple cider.<\/p>\n The infamous natto is Ibaraki\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stringy, stinky specialty. Whether you love natto or hate it, I suggest you give it a try if you are in Ibaraki. You never know. You might find that you like it. If not, well, just say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shanme!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be helped!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in Ibaraki-ben).<\/p>\n<\/a>There is a Mito Komon statute covered in giant Chrysanthemums in the small town of Kasama. The town has a Chrysanthemum festival from October till November, where you can see our mascot in full bloom along with chrysanthemums the size of dinner plates. The festival is based around one of the three largest Inari shines in Japan. Kasama is also famous for pottery, so you can go shopping for some locally-made artwork or try your own hand at the craft in one of the many pottery studios.<\/p>\n