We continue on our 120km journey along Mito Kaido road, and embark on the third part of our trip. On the fifth day of our eight-day adventure, head towards Tsuchiura from Ushiku City. You can choose to leave Mito Kaido street and venture into side roads, aided by your map - such detours may lead you to unexpected places and adventures. Talk to the friendly locals who could provide you with useful tips or even show you the way to interesting spots. For example, ask a passer-by for tips on where to eat lunch. You can try a Japanese restaurant called Yokota on the way to Tsuchiura. Fish boiled in a secret broth is its specialty. The restaurant uses fresh and thick yellowtail as the owners run a fish shop; they opened the restaurant two years ago. After a delicious lunch to give you an energy boost, resume walking. You will come across the Nioibashi (Scented Bridge) and the Sakura River. If you are worried about accommodation, you can start looking for a hotel near the Tsuchiura Station before it gets dark. Once you have taken care of your accommodation for the night, you can continue exploring the area without any added stress. You can visit Kasumigaura on the east side of Tsuchiura Station. For dinner, drop by a 100-year-old soba restaurant in the area. Try the delicious kitsune udon with aburaage (fried tofu).

On the sixth day of the journey along Mito Kaido, leave Tsuchiura and go to an interesting spot called Matsunamiki (row of pine trees). Walk along Matsunamiki, which spans 1km, while searching for a place to have lunch. One of the restaurants in the vicinity serves good deep-fried oyster. Resume walking towards Kyu-Mito Kaido and you will soon reach the entrance to Inayoshi-shuku. Here you will find a honjin (government office), one of three honjins left in Mito Kaido. It is now a residence, but it is designated as a cultural property. This means that it has largely remained in its original state, and has undergone minimal repairs. In Kyu-Mito Kaido, you will also see a 150-year-old hatago (lodging) from the Edo period. It is not open to the public, but you can try asking the owners for permission to go inside. An interesting sight awaits you in the guest room on the second floor. Travellers who had no money to pay their bills used to scribble their thoughts on the walls of the room, and this “graffiti” can still be seen today.

As you head back to Mito Kaido, stop by Katori Shrine on the way to pray for a safe journey. Head to Ishioka City, and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains as you stroll. As you enter the nostalgic town, you may want to start looking for accommodation. Visit the town’s tourist facility to get some information and recommendations, and pick up a sightseeing pamphlet of Ishioka. There is a hotel near the station where you can stay for the night.

On the seventh day, embark on the fourth and final phase of this trip along Mito Kaido. Continue to explore Ishioka City with the help of the sightseeing pamphlet and map. Get a glimpse of old Japan by visiting some old-fashioned buildings along the street of Showa. These buildings have retained their nostalgic charm after all these years. You will come across an old sugar store, Fukushimaya, which was founded in the Meiji period. Here you will see the remains of the trolley railway, which is still being used for making deliveries. Furthermore, in one ice shop here, you will find the owner carving lion masks for festivals. He started making such masks 40 years ago and now even teaches the skill to over 30 pupils. Watch them in action and observe how the masks are painstakingly made.

After exploring Ishioka City, walk along the old road and rejoin Route 6. You will see Ichirizukas (distance markers which serve as road signs) of the Edo period along the way. They are located after every 4km. People in the past depended on them to walk to Mito. After walking for 1 hour, you will reach Omitamashi. Ask the locals for tips on where to have lunch. There is a soba restaurant along Route 6 called Sobayoshi, which is 4km away. However, do note that it is closed on certain days, so it is always useful to have an alternative restaurant in mind. You may want to try a Chinese restaurant nearby, which serves delicious Sichuan cuisine at a reasonable price. The host has worked as a chief chef in China and throughout Japan. Who knew that disappointment could lead to an unexpected blessing!

After lunch, consult the map for any interesting spots along the way. You may want to visit the Hyotan (gourd) Museum, for example. Do note that it too is closed on certain days, and one needs to make an appointment in advance. Nevertheless, you can try asking for permission and if you are lucky, the owner may just let you take a look. The museum features old gourds are from the Kamakura period. 10,000 objects of gourds and other art objects can be found in the museum. The first curator collected these art objects over a period of 70 years. After this, make your way to a hotel nearby where you can spend the night.

On the final and eighth day of this unique adventure along Mito Kaido, walk towards your destination, Kairakuen in Mito. Follow the signs and enter Ibaraki Town. Visit some of the historical sights of the town such as Mitoroshi no Kezuka. Head back to Route 6 and look for a place to eat lunch. One of the restaurants in this area serves fresh seafood such as warasa, yellowtail, and even sashimi. After lunch, continue walking towards Kairakuen. If fatigue sets in after all the walking and your feet feel heavy and stiff, fret not. You can try a 30-minute chiropractic treatment at a shop along the way, to instantly loosen those tight muscles and relax your aching feet. After getting adequate rest, continue your journey and you will soon see the sign for Mito City. An hour after entering Mito City, you will come across the last Ichirizuka. There is still 4km to go before you reach your final destination of this trip, Kobuntei in Kairakuen. Head to Mito Station, which features statues of some famous personalities. From here, walk to Kairakuen Station, which is a station away. As you approach your destination Kairakuen - a beautiful landscape garden - complete your journey by enjoying the beautiful view of the sunset of Mito at the park. It is a fitting end to this wonderful eight-day trip along Mito Kaido.