2025 Ibaraki Prefecture Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

🌺🌺 Remember the sweet peas Chihiro carried on the way out with her parents in the Studio Ghibli film *Spirited Away*? Warm and natural. When Chihiro cried sadly, Haku crouched in a field full of azaleas in the Japanese countryside to comfort her. These everyday flowers in Japan bring people closer to nature and allow them to heal in nature.🌺🌺 🌈🌈🌈🌈Great places to explore Japanese flowers 📍Ibaraki Prefecture/Hitachi Seaside Park—Nemophila Approximately 4.2 hectares of Miharashi Hill is covered with about 5.3 million delicate blue nemophila flowers, which look even more brilliant against the azure sky. Strolling through it is like walking on a vibrant blue carpet. 📍Yamanashi Prefecture/Fuji Motosuko Resort—Shibazakura Held annually from mid-April to late May, the "Fuji Shibazakura Festival" is the largest shibazakura spectacle in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The bright shibazakura "carpet" frames the snow-capped Mount Fuji, providing a truly moving experience. 📍Hiroshima Prefecture/Senkoji Park—Wisteria Senkoji Park's cherry blossoms are selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan," but the wisteria here is also a breathtaking sight. The wisteria hangs like a purple waterfall, swaying in the wind. 📍Saga Prefecture/Daikozenji Temple—Azaleas Daikozenji Temple, home to numerous cultural heritage sites, is also known as the "Azalea Temple" for its colorful azalea blossoms. About 50,000 azaleas bloom from mid-April to early May, filling visitors with joy and wonder. 📍Akita Prefecture/Unchoji Temple—Hydrangeas Ranked first on the list of Japanese scenic spots as a "must-see destination in a lifetime." During the blooming season, the entire temple is transformed into a blue ocean, complementing the beautiful seascape of the nearby Oga Peninsula, creating a breathtaking view.

#JapanTravel #PudingRestaurant #JapaneseEmotion #CafeRecommendation #CafeTour 🧁 Recommended travel destinations in small Japanese cities! Recommended cafe tour with a view of the fields and rice paddies in Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki Prefecture 💛 📍koyomi kissa (暦喫茶室): 134 Minowa, Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki 300-2451 Japan 📍Opening hours: 11:00~18:00 / Closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 🍮 Introducing ‘koyomi kissa’, a small town travel destination in Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo where you can taste the plump pudding with a picture-perfect plating of chestnut maroon cream! It is a cafe with a retro kissaten feel where you can feel the quiet Japanese town while viewing the fields, rice paddies, and waterways! Melon soda, pudding, various shortcakes and breads are delicious, and the interior is also highly saturated and beautifully colored, so you can heal yourself! 😌 If you want to feel the town sensibility near Tokyo, I recommend stopping by this cafe while traveling to Tsukuba Mirai City! 💕

This is on the 𡷑 city line, you need to buy a ticket to enter. Spring is the season of plum blossoms, you can see many plum blossoms in bud, and if you walk further in, you can see many trees that can only be seen in the mountains, such as pine trees, ferns, etc. There are also many bamboos swaying in the forest. The whole park can be visited slowly in about 3 hours. The road is flat and not very steep. It is very suitable for hiking here #亲子好去处 #地方游

The most beautiful bridge to see autumn leaves #ibaraki Autumn in Hananuki Valley and the most beautiful suspension bridge in Ibaraki Prefecture Hananuki Valley is a famous place to see autumn leaves located in Takahagi City in the northwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. 🍁You can slowly walk on the bridge while immersing yourself in the beautiful autumn scenery. In particular, the bridge in autumn with red leaves embracing the bridge will make you feel like you are walking on a road dyed in autumn. 🥰🍁 Address: 〒318-0104 茨城県高萩市中戸川1954

Nemophila, a national park famous for the tulip festival. It's famous for its flower festival, but~ There are various activities inside, such as an amusement park, mountain bike practice, golf practice range, and camping ground, so it's great for a family or couple trip. The entrance fee is 700 yen. #Hot place #Couples #Safe travel #City travel #Recreational travel #Date course #Life shot spot

Hoshimo Shrine A shrine built with the wish that "May you get everything you want." With its yellow torii gates and sweet potato-shaped votive plaques, it's a must-see(?!) for sweet potato lovers🤤 It's a great photo spot!! !!! #photogenicspot #hotelroyalpark

This restaurant is located on the shores of Lake Hinuma. The fluffy eel was superb 🤤 The place was bustling with customers. We had hitsumabushi!! It was so fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth. And the sauce was delicious too!! 🤤 There was the sea outside, and plum blossoms blooming nearby. #photogenicspot

I went to Ibaraki Prefecture! I went to Mercy’s Coffee, a cafe along the river that only those in the know will know about. It’s very cute from the outside 😍! The interior is also calm and relaxing. The sweets and drinks were carefully selected and delicious. #photogenicspot

I went to Tsukimachi Falls in Daigo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. Tsukimachi Falls is famous as a power spot where you can experience the rare experience of going behind the waterfall♪ The autumn leaves are also very beautiful and recommended for a walk🍁 Please come and visit! #Ibaraki Prefecture #Autumn leaves #Maple #Breathtaking view

I went to the guesthouse "Lahar" in Daigo-machi, Ibaraki Prefecture. On this day, there was a tent sauna event held by Guesthouse Lahar and North Sauna Ibaragi, so I participated ^_^ Lahar has a vast, natural garden, so you can relax and unwind 😊 I recommend it for a stay-at-home! Please come and visit us. #stay-at-home

"Oarai Isosaki Shrine" in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture A historic shrine located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean⛩ The "Kamiiso no Torii" standing on the reef of Oarai Coast is famous as a spectacular power spot🌊 If you go down the stairs from the shrine on the hill and continue down to the other side of the road, you will see the torii in the middle of the sea *̣̩⋆ It is truly a spectacular power spot☽ #Shrine #FreeSpot #Ibaraki #IbarakiPrefecture #IbarakiTourism #StunningSight #PowerSpot #StunningSight

❶Ryujin Suspension Bridge 📍2133-6 Tenka-no-cho, Hitachiota, Ibaraki ⁡ ❷Seabirs Cafe 📍1-3-20 Asahi-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki ⁡ ❸Hitachi Fish Center 📍5779-24 Minato-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki ⁡ ❹Hitachi Seaside Park 📍605-4 Onuma, Umadori, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki ⁡ ❺Kaitsuka, Kasumigaura Main Store, Storehouse-Delivered Sweet Potatoes 📍517 Jizo-mae, Owada, Kasumigaura, Ibaraki ⁡ ❻Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Tsukuba Space Center 📍2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture *Reservation required ⁡ ❼Ushiku Daibutsu 📍2083 Kunomachi, Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture #Ibaraki Prefecture #Ibaraki Tourism #Couple trip #Cafe hopping #Summer trip #Amazing view #Gourmet trip #Trip with children

Address: 4472 Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 309-1611 Atmosphere/Facilities: It had a homely taste and was very delicious!! The portions were also very filling and I was very satisfied! The tomato sauce had a sour taste! The interior had a traditional Japanese feel and was very cozy! ◎It's a 9-minute drive from Kasama Station🍴 #cafe #gourmet #gourmettrip #trip to enjoy spring

Access: Train: 85 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Katsuta Station by JR 15 minutes by bus from bus stop 2 at Katsuta Station Car: About 3 hours from Tokyo (if you are driving, we recommend going early as the parking lot will be crowded) Tourist spot: Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila Price: 450 yen per adult Season: Mid-April to early May - There are few restaurants, so we recommend eating outside the park. - There are fewer people in the morning, so you can take better photos. - If you are coming by car from Tokyo, we recommend seeing the wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park as well. Walk from the entrance and you will find Nemophila Hill at the very back of the park. The blue of the sky and the blue of the nemophila overlap, making it very beautiful. #Flower spot #Breathtaking view#A trip to enjoy spring

Nakaminato in Ibaraki Prefecture. You can enjoy fresh seafood. Seafood bowl, raw oysters... A truly blissful moment #gourmet

Kanto｜ Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Seaside Park ▾ 2019 🍁Autumn｜Tokyo As mentioned before, the Papo grass (broom grass) in Ibaraki Prefecture is one of the major attractions in October! So many people go there every year just to take photos... When everyone gets tired of taking photos, there is actually a coffee shop in the park that allows people to rest in the forest. Of course, it is also suitable for taking photos! So if you get tired of visiting Kagehana or Kageboboso, why not go to this coffee shop called "Kinen no Mori Resto Haus" to have a cup of coffee and take a break! Note: The photos were taken in October last year! #Japan #Tokyo #Day Travel #Ibaraki Prefecture #Autumn

The "Looking Hill" of the Hitachi Seaside National Park covers an area of ​​about three hectares. In addition to the butterfly flowers, there are many other varieties of flowers for people to enjoy in the 200-hectare park. In spring, there are daffodils and tulips, in summer there are roses and zinnias, and in autumn you can see quinoa and cosmos. It is a sea of ​​flowers that photography enthusiasts will surely love. #Overseas Travel

#JulyGoodPlace2025 #Ibaraki #Kaierakuen #Tohoku #JapaneseAttractions Address: 1-3-3 Tokiwa-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture Business hours: 7am to 6pm. See the sea of flowers in spring, maple leaves in autumn, and greenery in summer. Mito Kaierakuen is one of the three famous gardens in Japan, along with Kanazawa Kenrokuen and Okayama Korakuen. It was built by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of Mito Domain, and has a history of more than 150 years. The unique landscape is a representative work of traditional Japanese gardens. Among them, Kobun-tei is a must-visit place, and it is very suitable for visiting in any season. #Kobun-tei #Kenrokuen #Korakuen #JapaneseFamousGardens

[RoundNails] Ibaraki Travel Guide: Where Nature Meets Culture Located northeast of Tokyo, Ibaraki Prefecture is easily accessible and perfect for a 1-2 day getaway. Top recommendation: Hitachi Seaside Park, where from April to May, hills transform into a blue carpet of nemophila flowers, while autumn (October) paints the landscape red with kochia bushes—utterly breathtaking. For history and gardens, don’t miss Kairakuen, one of Japan’s top three gardens, with 3,000 plum trees blooming from February to March. Autumn nights here feature enchanting illuminations, creating a romantic atmosphere. [Cutlery] Foodies must visit Nakaminato Fish Market for ultra-fresh seafood like giant oysters, uni (sea urchin), and Sanhama Don rice bowls—great value! Thrill-seekers can try bungee jumping at Ryujin Suspension Bridge or hike Mount Tsukuba for panoramic views of the Kanto Plain; on clear days, you might even spot Mount Fuji. For unique stays, ETOWA Kasama offers glamping with fully equipped tents and stunning night views of Ibaraki’s starry skies. If time allows, visit Oarai Isosaki Shrine’s iconic torii gate rising from the sea—especially magical at sunrise. Transport tip: Rent a car or take the JR Joban Line from Tokyo to Mito Station (~70 mins). Ibaraki shines in every season—plan your nature-and-culture escape now! Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

#向日葵 The sunflowers in Ibaraki Flower Park are so beautiful! Every summer, a large golden sea of ​​flowers blooms, and the whole scene is super spectacular and healing. Walking in is like entering a landscape painting, and it looks as beautiful as a postcard no matter how you take pictures. The movement lines in the flower park are well planned, and it is very comfortable to walk around. It is not too crowded and not too sunny. For us Taiwanese, it is really rare to see such a large field of sunflowers. If you happen to have plans to travel to Kanto during the summer vacation, it is highly recommended to arrange half a day to walk around and take a look. I guarantee that you can't stop taking pictures!

#JapanTravelStrategy This facility is adjacent to the Ibaraki Botanical Garden in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture (currently closed as of July 2025 due to renovations and other work), and is a place where you can learn about mushrooms and forests. The types and forms of mushrooms, wild vegetables, lacquer, bamboo, and more, their relationship with humans, and the role of forests are explained in an easy-to-understand manner through videos and models. The atmosphere is one that even children can enjoy, with animals hiding in large trees. The interior of the building is lit up with fantastic lighting, making it seem like you've wandered into a mysterious world. 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 🔸Opening hours: 9:00-16:30 🔸Closed: Every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) December 29th-January 3rd 🔸Admission fee: Free 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙 ...𐄙𐄁 Access 📍4692-1 To, Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 311-0122

#JapanTravelTactics Hanakanuki Valley is located in Takahagi City, Ibaraki Prefecture The autumn leaves are popular, but in summer, the Shiomitaki Suspension Bridge, covered in fresh greenery, and the Hana River flowing under the bridge are very cool There is a road leading to Otome Falls and Fudo Falls at the back of the Hananuki Parking Lot, and Otome Falls on the Hananuki River is to the right of the information sign, and Fudo Falls is to the left Try to soothe yourself by inhaling plenty of negative ions The temperature is lower in the mountains than on the plains, so it feels very cool in the summer 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙 ... Access 📍〒318-0104 Nakatogawa Ono area, Takahagi city ⚠️Watch your step when approaching the waterfall ⚠️Free parking available, so you can explore freely Parking is only available during the Hananuki Valley Autumn Leaves Festival #Domestic travel #Ibaraki

All my memories in Japan with my son 👦🏻 🗓️ #japan #japantrip #เที่ยวญี่ปุ่น #พาลูกเที่ยว #หม่าม๊าพาเที่ยว

#TokyoTravel #JapanTravel #ibaraki 👋Ohayo from Tokyo, Japan🇯🇵 ✨️Road Trip tourism is becoming popular because you can set your own route and have freedom to travel. The roads in Japan are good and you drive on the left like in our country. It takes 2 hours to travel to Ibaraki. You can go in the morning and return in the evening. ✨️Leave Tokyo and go north to Ibaraki to see the Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha statue, which is 120 meters high (including the base and lotus pedestal). It was recorded in the Guinness World Records as the tallest bronze standing Buddha statue in the world in 1995. ✨️The interior of the Buddha statue is divided into several floors. There are rooms with religious exhibits and you can take the elevator to the viewpoint at the chest at a height of 85 meters to see the view. ✨️Under the feet of the Buddha statue, there is a large garden with a variety of flowers. 🎈https://maps.app.goo.gl/YR42exstutkn4CbYA

#summervacay Escape the crowds and discover Ibaraki’s stunning nature, art, and coastal charm—just 1-2 hours from Tokyo! Here’s your ultimate summer guide: --- ### **🌞 Must-Visit Spots** 1. **Hitachi Seaside Park** - Summer brings **blue nemophila** (April-May) and **kochia bushes** (turning fiery red by Sept). Rent a bike and cruise through flower fields! - *Pro Tip:* Visit **Miharashi Hill** for panoramic ocean views. 2. **Oarai Isosaki Shrine** - Walk through the iconic **torii gate perched on ocean rocks**—feels like a scene from *Shinto legends*! Best at sunrise. 3. **Kairakuen Garden (Mito)** - One of Japan’s **Top 3 Gardens**, with summer hydrangeas and bamboo groves. Try **Mito’s famous natto** (fermented soybeans) nearby! 4. **Fukuroda Falls** - A majestic **four-tiered waterfall** surrounded by lush greenery—cool off in the mist! 5. **Mount Tsukuba** - Hike or take the **cable car** for sunset views over the Kanto Plain. --- ### **🎨 Quirky & Cool** - **TeamLab Borderless: Resonating Life in the Forest** (Shimotsuma) - An immersive digital art experience in a forest—magical after dark! - **Ushiku Daibutsu** - Stand at the feet of the world’s tallest bronze Buddha statue (120m!). --- ### **🍉 Summer Treats** - **Ibaraki Melons** (Juicy and sweet—try them at roadside stands!) - **Anko (red bean) soft serve** at Kasama’s cafes. --- ### **🚆 Getting There from Tokyo** - **By Train:** - **Hitachi Seaside Park:** Take JR Limited Express "Hitachi" from Ueno Station (~75 mins). - **Mito (Kairakuen):** JR Joban Line from Tokyo Station (~65 mins). - **By Car:** Rent a car for flexibility (great coastal drives!). --- ### **💡 Pro Tips** - **Avoid weekends** for popular spots like Hitachi Park. - Pack a **light jacket**—Ibaraki’s coasts can be windy! **Ready for an off-the-beaten-path summer?** Ibaraki awaits! 🌸🚅

#summervacay If you're a devoted fan of Japanese literary master Yasunari Kawabata, then Osaka offers a truly meaningful pilgrimage beyond the usual tourist spots! Head to Ibaraki City, where you'll find a delightful, small yet exquisite Kawabata Yasunari Literature Museum (茨木市立 川端康成文学館), which has been established for 40 years. As it's World Book Day, it's the perfect time to revisit this literary haven. Compared to my visit in 2019, they've added a model of his ancestral home, which is a wonderful addition, though unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside. However, you can freely photograph and even sit in the replicated study of his Kamakura residence, letting you truly immerse yourself and "cosplay" a scene of the great author at work! The date on the desk is perpetually set to April 16th – if you know, you know. Nearby, there's also a high school with a "Meeting Through Literature" monument, which Kawabata himself attended the dedication ceremony for. And in Osaka, at the Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社), you'll find another monument. Kawabata mentioned its iconic "Sorihashi" (arched bridge) in his works, adding another layer of connection to his literary world. This is a fantastic, off-the-beaten-path destination for anyone looking to delve deeper into the life and works of a Nobel laureate. #YasunariKawabata #KawabataYasunariLiteratureMuseum #WorldBookDay #JapaneseAuthors #NobelLaureate #SumiyoshiTaisha #IbarakiCity #OsakaTravel #HiddenGems #LiteraryPilgrimage

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip ⸻ Amabiki Kannon is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple founded in the late 6th century. It is known as the 24th temple of the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon Temples, and is popular for its benefits in safe childbirth, child rearing, fertility, protection from misfortune, and financial luck . It is also famous as a "flower temple," with cherry blossoms, peonies, wisteria, azaleas, and hydrangeas, the representative of the rainy season . During the "Hydrangea Festival" from June 10th to July 20th, 100 varieties and 5,000 hydrangeas will be in full bloom, and you can enjoy a fantastic sight with the floating hydrangeas in the pond called "Water China" and lighting up . ⸻ 🌿Points to visit and experience • 🕰️Opening hours and fees: 8:30-17:00, free admission (500 yen only during the Hydrangea Festival)  • 🚗Access: • Public: 10 minutes by taxi from Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line (30 minutes on foot from Motogi bus stop on weekdays)  • Car: 15 minutes from Sakuragawa Chikusei IC. 300 free parking spaces available  • 🐦Animals in the temple grounds: Peacocks, ducks, goats, etc. are allowed to roam freely. You can also have a cute encounter in harmony with nature  • 🌸Highlights: • Spring: 3,000 cherry trees (Kawazu-zakura, Somei-yoshino, Yamazakura, etc.)  • Early summer: Peony → Azalea Festival (May), Hydrangea Festival (June)  • Autumn: Autumn Leaves Festival (November 10th to 20th)  • 🍜Rest & Meals: • Free rest area and shop available (souvenirs: Kannon rice crackers, local jam, etc.)  • At "Yakuzen Chuka Chabo Mikasa" you can enjoy medicinal Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices  ⸻ 📸Points & hashtags for posting 1. Hydrangeas floating on the water "Water Chinese": Especially fantastic when lit up 2. Free-roaming peacocks and ducks: A brief encounter with animals 3. Cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas, autumn leaves: seasonal flower photo spots 4. Chinese Medicinal Food Cafe: A healthy reward lunch after worship ⸻ #Amabiki Kannon #Hydrangea Temple #Ibaraki Trip #Temple of Flowers #Prayer for Safe Birth #Bando 33 Kannon #Water Chinese #Medicinal Food Cafe #Weekend Drive #Seasonal Flower Spot ⸻

🚉【Ibaraki・Hitachi City Hitachi Station】Start your journey at the 'Station with a View of the Sea' Located about 1.5 hours from Tokyo via the Joban Line's limited express 'Hitachi,' this station serves as the gateway to northern Ibaraki. With its museum-like architecture, it is a popular spot that heightens the excitement of travel. ⸻ 🌊Features & Highlights • The glass-enclosed elevated station building offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from its event hall, creating a soothing space perfect for sea lovers. • Designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima (SANAA), the station has won over 11 design awards, including the 2012 Good Design Award and the 2014 Brunel Award. Its stunning design is a must-see. • The 'Eki Piano' inside the station is open for anyone to play, filling the space with the charming sounds of local melodies. ⸻ ☕Recommended Ways to Enjoy • Morning with the sunrise: The observation space on the seaside opens at 5 AM, offering refreshing views of the ocean and sunrise. • Seabirds Café: Relax with breakfast or lunch while gazing at the sea through the windows. • Nighttime illumination: At night, the glass structure glows with light, enhancing the beauty of the seaside nightscape. ⸻ 🚃Access & Data • Location: 1-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Joban Line). • Daily passengers: Approximately 11,000 people/day (FY2019). • Station facilities: Equipped with a ticket office, completed in 2011 (elevated design), featuring 1 platform with 2 tracks + 1 island platform. ⸻ 🌿Travel Tips • Within walking distance from Hitachi Station are attractions like 'Kamine Park,' 'Hitachi City Museum of Art, Science, and History,' and 'Roadside Station Hitachi Fish Center,' making it possible to enjoy sightseeing even in half a day. • Combine 'Station with a View of the Sea + Seabirds Café + seaside drive or park visit' for a perfect day trip refreshment plan. • The limited express 'Hitachi' also features revival color train cars, making the train ride itself an enjoyable start to your journey. ⸻ 📌Summary Hitachi Station is not just a transit point but a destination in itself, offering breathtaking views. Whether at the start of your journey or as a stopover, the glass-enclosed station building's views of the sea and sky will make your trip even more delightful✨