Outdoor cafe scene in Mito

The sun is shining, you are on holiday. What else do you need? Coming from Australia, a country where we spend all summer outside, a great outdoor cafe to relax in by yourself or with friends is what I have always missed in Japan. I have spent the last few months seeking out places to spend my summer and I was quite surprised at the number of places I found hidden. I hope that you will be able to use this list to find a place you also enjoy visiting.

At the moment this list only coveres Mito, but if you have any cool places in your towns that you want to share, please contact us.

Mito

Cafe Echelle (カフェ　エシェル)

Echelle is part of a gorgeous florist and garden shop called Green Spot. They have an indoor section which is set inside lots of huge potted plants, but their outdoor decking section is my favorite. Lots of cushions to sit on and yummy food and drink to devour. The main food on offer is sandwiches and they have cake and all types of espresso coffee. If it's warm they have a huge umbrella to give shade from the sun. The only complaint is that the food and drinks can sometime take a long time to come out. Don't go here if you are in a rush.

Address

1438-2 Senba-chō, Mito (水戸市千波町1438-2)
(on Sakura Rd. near Senba Junior High School, approximately 3 km south of Mito Station)

Phone

029-244-2747

Open

11 am–7 pm

　　

Website

http://blog.so-net.ne.jp/jirorin/2006-10-14-1

Raphael

From the outside, Raphael looks a little bit like a Spanish villa but with an English tea house feel to it, a big paved courtyard, and a great big tree to shade it. They make great English-style scones with jam and cream. It is tucked away behind Kairauken, and is a great place to go after you have been walking in the park.

Address

2-9-29 Tokiwa-chō, Mito (水戸市常磐町2-9-49)

Phone

029-227-7350

Open

10 am–7 pm

Closed

Mondays

Website

http://blog.livedoor.jp/raphael_g/

Trees Cafe

This cafe is not very well advertised but worth the search. The only way we found it was by a small sign placed at the bottom of the steps behind the steam locomotive in Senba Park. Walk up the stairs and take the path toward the left for about 250 meters and you fill find this gorgeous cafe tucked away in the trees. They have a set lunch menu and also yummy waffles and bagels. They lend out BBQ sets for people to use inside the park.

Address

507-9 Senba-chō, Mito (水戸市千波町507−9)

Phone

029-243-2585

Open

10:30 am–6 pm (Saturdays 10:30 am–7 pm)

Closed

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Website

None

Maple Farm

I haven't had a chance to visit this cafe yet, but I have been to the shops that are part of the complex. They have a "European" feel and are quite cute. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner which is a plus. There is a large outdoor terrace that faces towards the shopping area.

Address

325-1 Yonezawa-chō, Mito (水戸市米沢町325-1)

Phone

029-304-2900

Open

11 am–10 pm

Closed

Wednesday

Website

http://www.maplefarms.co.jp/cafe.html

Starbucks

Not my first choice for somewhere to sit and relax, but the proximity to the station makes it a favorite with many foreigners in Mito. There are a number of tables that face onto Route 50.

Address

2-3-28 Miya-machi, Mito(水戸市宮町2-3-28)

Phone

029-224-4825

Open

7 am–10 pm (Sundays 7:30 am–9 pm)

Closed

None

Website

http://vip.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=4&pg=1&grp=starbucks&ino=BA360179

Cafe MIO

A nice Italian-style place that is located in the 1st floor of the Lakeside Bowl. Good proximity to Lake Senba and Kairakuen. They have a special menu for dogs too.

Address

2749 Senba-chō, Mito (水戸市千波町2749)

Phone

029-305-5539

Open

11 am–10 pm (Holidays 10 am–10 pm)

Closed

Wednesday

Website

http://www.mito-lakeside.com/

Patisserie Le Blac

This place is said to have the best cakes and pastries in Mito. They make nice sandwiches too. If you were ever longing for real green lawn, you will find it here. They also have a small rotunda in the small garden if you want to sit outside but not really be outside. The inside has a very European feel.

Address

370 Senba-chō, Mito (水戸市千波町370)

Phone

029-241-1991

Open

9:30 am–8 pm

Closed

Monday

Website

http://www.leblanc.co.jp/

Mito Plaza Hotel coffee shop

Not exactly an outdoor cafe, this shop is located inside the open terrace area of the fancy Mito Plaza Hotel. There are also another 4 restaurants located around the outside of the terrace area.

Address

2078-1 Senba-chō, Mito (水戸市千波町2078-1)

Phone

029-305-8111

Open

10 am–8 pm

Closed

None

Fire Life

An unlikely place for a cafe, but a nice place all the same. This cafe is attached to a wood stove showroom. They specialize in herb teas and hand out samples inside the showroom. The outdoor decking area faces onto a small grove of trees. When I went in summer last year, I was attacked my thousands of mosquitoes so I would recommend taking some repellant if you want to sit outside.

Address

315-1 Kawada-chō, Mito (水戸市河和田町315-1)

Phone

029-309-4102

Open

Unknown

Closed

Unknown

Website

http://www.firelife.jp/

Kikirakuza

This Japanese-style cafe (complete with red umbrella) is attached to a ceramics gallery and set in a small forest. It only serves drinks and cakes. When I visited, we had planned to go there for lunch once and were a bit disappointed, but I plan to go back for a nice tea sometime soon as the lady who runs it is really nice.

Address

195-3 Yonezawa-chō, Mito (水戸市米沢町195-3)

Phone

029-246-1411

Open

10 am–7 pm

Closed

Monday

Website

http://www.kikirakuza.com/

Tokugawa Museum Garden Terrace

This cafe is part of the Tokugawa Museum in the edge of Lower Kairakuen Park. Its main draw point is its huge green lawns. The tables are just plastic, but it still has a nice feel. I would recommend skipping the tables and just sitting on the grass under the shade of a big tree.

Address

1-1215-1 Mikawa-chō, Mito (水戸市見川1-1215-1)

Phone

029-241-2721

Open

11 am–3 pm

Closed

Monday and Tuesday

Website

http://tokugawa.gr.jp/museum_gt.htm