[茨城] Kodokan

• * Explore one of Japan's largest and most prestigious domain schools, founded by the visionary Tokugawa Nariaki
• * Walk where Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun, himself studied, gaining insights into the elite education of Japan's ruling class.
• * Admire the preserved Main Gate, Main Hall, and Shizen-do Hall, all designated Important Cultural Properties, showcasing traditional Japanese craftsmanship
• * Visit during late February to early March to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the Kōdōkan's renowned plum blossoms, a truly unforgettable sight

This is a domain school (special historic site) of the Mito domain, founded by Tokugawa Nariaki, the 9th lord of the Mito domain. Both academics and martial arts were emphasized, and a wide range of education was offered, including Confucianism, medicine, swordsmanship, and horsemanship, allowing the children of the domain's samurai to train in both the arts and the military. At the time, it was the largest domain school in the country, and the 15th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, also studied here. Currently, the main gate, main hall, and Shizen-do Hall (all designated as Important Cultural Properties) remain, and the school is also famous for its plum blossoms. The best time to see them is from late February to early March