Mito: Getting there and around

Mito and Tokyo (Tokyo, Ueno and Shinagawa stations) are connected by twice-hourly Hitachi and Tokiwa limited express trains along the JR Joban Line (around 70 minutes, 3890 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass, the Tokyo Wide Pass and a few other regional JR passes).

It is possible to board the train without prior reservation and pay the supplement on board of the train, however, the fare increases by 260 yen. Furthermore, note that the train carries no cars with dedicated unreserved seats. Instead the availability of seats is indicated by a rather unintuitive system of lights above the seats. A red light means that the seat is currently available; however, it might change to orange which indicates that somebody with a seat reservation will soon use this seat. Lastly, a green light indicates that the seat is taken.

The one way ride from Tokyo (Tokyo, Ueno and Shinagawa stations) to Mito by local trains takes about two hours and costs 2310 yen. There are two direct trains per hour from Ueno Station and occasional direct ones from Shinagawa and Tokyo stations.

Multiple companies operate one or more highway buses per hour between Tokyo (Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit) and Mito (Mito Station). The one way journey takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2250 yen.