Ibaraki Prefecture lies north of Tokyo along the Pacific Ocean. In recent years, it has become widely known for the nemophila and kochia at Hitachi Seaside Park, as well as promotional campaigns featuring Naomi Watanabe. Ibaraki is also home to Kairakuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens; Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan's Three Great Waterfalls; the dreamlike seaside torii gate at Oarai Isosaki Shrine; and the dazzling golden Sweet Potato Shrine. Now, let us take a direct Tigerair Taiwan flight to Ibaraki and begin an independent trip around the prefecture! This article highlights 25 recommended attractions in Ibaraki. Join us as we explore this beautiful year-round destination and plan an unforgettable Ibaraki day trip!
How to Get to Ibaraki: Transportation Guide
How Do You Travel from Tokyo to Ibaraki?
Take the JR Joban Line to JR Mito Station
Mito is Ibaraki Prefecture's liveliest city and the administrative center where the prefectural government is located. Major attractions such as Kairakuen, Hitachi Seaside Park, the Art Tower Mito, and Oarai are all near Mito. From JR Ueno Station in Tokyo, you can take a limited express train on the Joban Line toward Iwaki directly to JR Mito Station in about one hour. Travelers who are not in a hurry can take a local train at a lower fare. Those with limited time can use an applicable JR Pass and reserve a seat on a limited express train for a faster journey to Mito.
Two main limited express services operate on the Joban Line: the Hitachi, which primarily connects Shinagawa and Iwaki, and the Tokiwa, which primarily connects Shinagawa and Katsuta. The train design was inspired by the contrast between the white and red plum blossoms at Kairakuen in Mito. Its main color is a pink-tinted white, with pink stripes beneath the side windows.
Transportation Between Ibaraki Airport and Tokyo
How should you travel from Ibaraki Airport to the city? Although the airport does not have a convenient subway or JR station, buses departing from in front of the terminal connect it with major cities across the Kanto region, including Tokyo and Mito.
The official Ibaraki Airport website has a Traditional Chinese version created specifically for travelers from Taiwan. It clearly lists the airport's transportation connections, including several dedicated bus routes between the airport and Tokyo for Tigerair Taiwan passengers. After arriving at Ibaraki Airport, travelers can take a highway bus directly to Tokyo or other major cities. The bus stop in front of the airport currently serves seven routes, mainly to destinations such as Tokyo, Mito, and Ishioka, while other routes operate less frequently.
Rent a Car at Ibaraki Airport for Just ¥1,000?
Passengers arriving on a flight at Ibaraki Airport who stay at least one night within Ibaraki Prefecture can receive a special first-day car rental rate of ¥1,000 including tax. To qualify, renters must present their boarding pass from a flight arriving at Ibaraki Airport that day and proof of accommodation within the prefecture. The ¥1,000 rate applies to groups of two; the rate is ¥2,000 for one or three people and ¥3,000 for groups of four or more.
Recommended Attractions in Ibaraki
Kairakuen in Mito
True to Its Reputation: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens Is Stunning in Every Season
Kairakuen in Mito, Kenrokuen in Ishikawa, and Korakuen in Okayama are collectively known as Japan's Three Great Gardens. Kairakuen is the only one of the three with free admission, reflecting its name, which means a place for everyone to enjoy together. It is therefore an excellent first stop for travelers hoping to visit all three gardens. Kairakuen is renowned for its cherry and plum trees, and the best time to visit is in February or early March, when more than 3,000 plum trees bloom at once in a spectacular display.
Location: 1-3-1 Jōdan-machi, Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture
Art Tower Mito
This Twisted Structure Is Actually Mito's Tallest Observation Tower (Art Tower Mito Contemporary Art Gallery)
A tall tower comes into view while traveling by train toward Mito. This landmark is Art Tower Mito. It is about a ten-minute walk from the station and combines a concert hall, theater, and contemporary art gallery in a multipurpose complex centered on music, performance, and art. To commemorate Mito City's 100th anniversary, architect Arata Isozaki and structural engineer Toshihiko Kimura jointly designed the 100-meter observation tower in 1989. Its geometric spiral form stands out in Mito's relatively low-rise skyline, and the top offers panoramic views across the city.
Location: 5-1-6-8 Goken-cho, Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:30-19:00
Admission: ¥900; Observation Tower: ¥200
Nakaminato Fish Market
A Seafood Feast: Restaurants, Sushi, and Every Kind of Fresh Catch (那珂湊おさかな市場)
Seafood lovers should head straight to Nakaminato Fish Market (那珂湊おさかな市場)! Ibaraki lies near the meeting point of warm and cold Pacific currents, producing abundant catches throughout the year. The market is liveliest in the morning when fishing boats return to port and newly landed seafood is packed and shipped across the country. Ibaraki's famous marine products are also supplied directly to the restaurants and shops in the market's dining area, allowing visitors to enjoy generous portions of exceptionally fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Options include sushi, seafood rice bowls, sashimi, and seafood miso soup. Do not miss Ibaraki specialties such as monkfish and hard clams from Kashima-nada—and be sure to arrive hungry!
Location: 19-8 Minato-Honcho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
JR Hitachi Station
Perched Beside the Pacific: Often Ranked Among Japan's Most Beautiful Stations
JR Hitachi Station was designed by renowned architect Kazuyo Sejima, a native of Ibaraki. After graduating, she worked for 14 years at the office of celebrated Japanese architect Toyo Ito before co-founding the architectural firm SANAA with Ryue Nishizawa and becoming one of Japan's leading contemporary female architects. The station makes extensive use of transparent glass and resembles a greenhouse. Soft sunlight filters through the structure, creating a refreshing atmosphere; standing inside feels like being a seed in a greenhouse, basking in sunlight that reaches the heart. It is exceptionally beautiful.
Location: 1-1, Kōmachi 1-chōme, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture
Hitachi Heiwa-dori Cherry Blossom Avenue
A Tunnel of Arching Cherry Blossoms: One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots
Hitachi City in Ibaraki is a popular spring cherry blossom destination. Hitachi Heiwa-dori Cherry Blossom Avenue is listed among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and its one-kilometer tunnel of blossoms draws many visitors to Ibaraki each year. Outside cherry blossom season, the avenue becomes a relaxing tunnel of lush greenery.
Location: Heiwa-dori, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Oarai Isosaki Shrine
The Kamiiso-no-Torii Gate: Beautiful at Both Day and Night
Japan's famous offshore torii gates often bring to mind Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture or Shirahige Shrine in Shiga Prefecture, which has rapidly gained popularity in recent years. Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, northern Kanto, also has an offshore torii gate belonging to Oarai Isosaki Shrine. It is a sacred spot where many Japanese visitors watch the first sunrise of the year. As photographers increasingly captured the torii gate at sunrise, the scene became widely known and developed into one of Ibaraki's signature tourist attractions, frequently included in group-tour itineraries.
Location: 8249-1 Isshinmachi, Oarai Town, Higashi Ibaraki Gun, Ibaraki Prefecture
Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki
Nemophila in Spring and Kochia in Autumn: One of the World's Most Romantic Flower Fields Through the Seasons
The nemophila fields at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki (国営ひたち海浜公園) have been named one of the world's ten most romantic flower fields. In spring, 4.5 million nemophila plants spread across a 3.5-hectare hill, creating an endless sea of blue. Walking through the flowers turns every view into a vivid memory of spring. In autumn, the hill is planted with more than 30,000 kochia bushes, among the largest displays in Japan. The round shrubs cover the slopes and, as temperatures cool from late September to mid-October, change from fresh green to deep red like autumn leaves. This spectacular transformation draws visitors from across the country and makes Hitachi Seaside Park one of Ibaraki's most popular autumn attractions.
Location: 605-4 Onuma, Mawatari, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:30-17:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Oarai Marine Tower
Climb High for Sweeping Views of the Blue Pacific (大洗マリンタワー)
Oarai Marine Tower stands beside Oarai Port. Its observation structure is formed by stacked triangular spaces, with three sides providing a full 360-degree panorama. The front overlooks Oarai's townscape, the left faces the Pacific Ocean and harbor, and the right offers views of the Oarai Aquarium and Oarai Isosaki Shrine. The view is almost completely unobstructed, and visitors can also watch charming trains on the Oarai Kashima Line traveling across the long stretches of surrounding fields.
Location: 10, Minato-chūō, Ōarai-machi, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00
Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium
Japan's Largest Shark-Themed Aquarium
Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium began as a shark research facility and is now Japan's sixth-largest aquarium. Its main attraction is a live collection of 52 shark species, the largest variety in Japan. The aquarium also keeps seven ocean sunfish and displays approximately 68,000 marine animals representing 580 species from around the world. One of its most popular performances pairs sea lions with false killer whales.
Location: 8252-3 Ishibama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashi Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00
Mentaiko Theme Park
A Fascinating Mentaiko Landmark: Would You Dare Try Mentaiko Ice Cream? (Mentai Park Oarai)
Mentaiko, or seasoned pollock roe, is a familiar part of Japanese food culture. Mentai Park in Oarai, Ibaraki, transformed a production facility into a visitor-friendly factory. Guests can purchase a wide variety of mentaiko products and enjoy free samples. Beyond tasting, visitors can tour the open factory to learn about the production process. All mentaiko products are made and sold directly on site, ensuring freshness and quality. The park attracts more than 1.2 million visitors every year and is one of Oarai's most popular attractions.
Location: 8255-3 Isshinmachi, Oarai Town, East Ibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00
Location: 1 Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Mount Tsukuba Cable Car and Ropeway
Explore Mount Tsukuba Shrine and Its 3,000 Years of History
Rising above the Kanto Plain in southern Ibaraki, Mount Tsukuba is celebrated in the saying, “Mount Fuji in the west, Mount Tsukuba in the east,” placing it alongside Japan's most famous mountain. Although it does not meet certain conventional mountain criteria, it is still included among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, demonstrating its significance and scenic beauty. Visitors can explore Mount Tsukuba Shrine, which has a history of 3,000 years, take the cable car up Mount Nantai, or ride the ropeway to Mount Nyotai for sweeping views over the Kanto Plain,
Location: 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:00-16:40
Ishikiri Quarry
An Extraordinary Ibaraki Landscape to See at Least Once in Your Lifetime
The scenery at Ishikiri Quarry is highly distinctive. Layered rock faces resemble ancient ruins, while the blue-green water below creates a mysterious atmosphere. Even as visitors admire the view, they can hear the sounds of stone being cut and struck nearby because this remains an operating quarry, known as 想石 稲田営業所. Beneath a vast area of the Yamizo mountain range near Kasama—about ten kilometers east to west and five kilometers north to south—lies top-grade granite. The Inada area has been renowned for granite extraction since long ago, and the town gradually prospered around the industry.
Location: 4260-1 Inada, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 09:00-16:00
Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine
A Shrine of Good Fortune Where Visitors Hope to Win the Lottery
Oarai Isosaki Shrine has become one of Ibaraki's best-known shrines in recent years, but it also has a sister shrine called Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine. Although it does not have an offshore torii gate, it features a lush forest tunnel, and the sea appears once visitors pass through it, creating a captivating view. In recent years, a worshipper reportedly won the top prize in a Japanese lottery after visiting the shrine. This story transformed the once-quiet shrine into a popular destination for people seeking financial luck and hoping that their prayers might lead to a jackpot.
Location: 4607-2 Isozaki-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Hoshiimo Shrine
A Row of Golden Torii Gates and Japan's Only Dried Sweet Potato Shrine (ほしいも神社)
Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki is known for sweet potato farming, and its produce is supplied throughout Japan. In late 2019, local residents established a new shrine called Hoshiimo Shrine (ほしいも神社) beside Horide Shrine near Ajigaura. Its name literally means “dried sweet potato shrine.” Japanese tradition holds that spirits can inhabit all things, so shrines dedicated to a remarkable variety of objects and ideas can be found across the country. Hitachinaka's geography is especially well suited to sweet potato cultivation, and local farmers produce the crop in large quantities. Hoshiimo Shrine was therefore created beside Horide Shrine, the center of local religious life. Visitors can even purchase dried sweet potatoes at the shrine office!
Shrine Location: 168 Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Croquette Train
A Train Covered in Croquettes: Take the Croquette Train on a Culinary Journey! (Ryugasaki Line 竜ヶ崎線)
The Ryugasaki Line (竜ヶ崎線), which connects JR Sanuki Station in Ryugasaki City with Kanto Railway's Ryugasaki Station, is only 4.5 kilometers long and makes just one intermediate stop from beginning to end. Despite having only three stations, the line has continued operating. Kanto Railway used its creativity to create Japan's only Croquette Train (コロッケトレイン), carrying passengers to Ryugasaki for a food journey centered on the city's famous croquettes.
🎫 Kanto Railway Ryugasaki Line Croquette One-Day Pass
Fare: ¥500
Where to Buy: Stations Along the Line
Kashima Jingu Shrine
A Peaceful Rail Journey to the Head Shrine of More Than 600 Kashima Shrines (鹿嶋神宮)
Kashima Jingu, one of the three great shrines of eastern Japan, is the head shrine of more than 600 Kashima shrines across the country and one of the most famous shrines in Ibaraki Prefecture. Visitors can take the Oarai Kashima Line to Kashima-Jingu Station and walk from there. With relatively few tourists, the shrine grounds have a tranquil, lush atmosphere. As its name suggests, deer also live within the grounds, making it a destination animal lovers should not miss.
Location: 2306-11 Miyanaka, Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 08:30-16:30
Nishi-no-Ichi-no-Torii
Japan's Largest Torii Gate Standing in Water Is in Ibaraki
Shrine enthusiasts visiting Ibaraki will find not only the offshore torii gate at Oarai Isosaki Shrine but also Nishi-no-Ichi-no-Torii near Kashima Jingu in Kashima. Rebuilt in June 2013, the gate rises 18.5 meters from beneath the water and measures 22.5 meters wide. It is even larger than the torii at Itsukushima Shrine and is Japan's largest torii gate standing in water.
Location: 2251 Oobunatsu, Kashiwa City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Fukuroda Falls
Like Pamukkale in Turkey: Spectacular When Frozen in Winter (One of Japan's Three Great Waterfalls)
Fukuroda Falls is one of Ibaraki's best-known attractions. Located in Daigo, northern Ibaraki, it lies upstream on the Taki River, a tributary of the Kuji River. The waterfall is 120 meters high and 73 meters wide. Because it descends over four distinct tiers, it is also known as the Four-Tiered Waterfall and is designated a scenic site by Ibaraki Prefecture. In winter, the falls can freeze into an “icefall,” creating a spectacular seasonal landscape of layered ice.
Location: 3-19, Fukuroda, Otsuki-cho, Kuji-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
Ami Premium Outlets
Even Tokyo Residents Shop Here: Kanto's Third Premium Outlet Center Is a Shopper's Paradise
Do not assume there is nowhere to shop during an independent trip to Ibaraki! Ami Premium Outlets in Ami, Ibaraki, is not far from central Tsukuba and is convenient to reach by either car or public transportation. Many Tokyo residents drive here specifically to shop, and it is an especially easy stop for travelers beginning a northern Kanto road trip from Ibaraki Airport. The famous Ushiku Daibutsu, a landmark of Ibaraki, is also nearby and can be visited on the same trip. Once you see the 120-meter-tall Buddha, you will know the outlet center is close.
Shopping Center Address: 1-1, 4-chome, Yoshihara, Ami Town, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00
Seasonal Attractions in Ibaraki
Naka Sports Park
Naka Sunflower Festival Featuring 250,000 Summer Blooms
The Naka sunflower fields in Tozaki, Naka City, are located at Naka Sports Park. The flowers begin blooming around mid-August, and waves of sunflowers can still be enjoyed through mid-September. Daytime programs include stage events and outdoor stalls. Admission to the entire area is free, and an observation deck allows visitors to look out over the sunflower fields and take memorable photographs. Although the 250,000 sunflowers at Naka Sports Park are fewer than the one million at Akeno's Miyayama Park, the sight of them blooming together is still spectacular.
Flower-Viewing Location: 428–2 Tozaki, Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Admission: Free
Flowering Season: From the Last Week of August to Early September Each Year
Miyayama Park
A Spectacular Field of One Million Sunflowers in Bloom (宮山ふるさとふれあい公園)
Miyayama Park (宮山ふるさとふれあい公園), on the outskirts of Chikusei City in southern Ibaraki, has the prefecture's largest sunflower field in both area and number, with as many as one million plants. Admission is free during flowering season, and the variety grown here is a double-flowered cut sunflower rarely seen in Taiwan, making the display well worth visiting.
Park Location: 504 Miyayama, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture
Flowering Season: From the Last Week of August to Early September Each Year (Free Admission)
Yasuda Orchard
Pick Asian Pears and Enjoy All-You-Can-Eat Grapes at a Century-Old Orchard
Many people may not realize that Ibaraki's most famous fruit is melon, which is considered even more renowned in Japan than Yubari melons from Hokkaido. The prefecture is also known for Asian pears, chestnuts, persimmons, grapes, and other fruit. Whether picking strawberries in spring, Asian pears and grapes in summer, or persimmons in autumn, fruit tastes best when harvested and eaten immediately. During this late-August visit to Ibaraki, Asian pears and grapes were in peak season, so we went to Yasuda Orchard in Kasumigaura City, southern Ibaraki, to enjoy picking both fruits.
Orchard Address: 461 Kamitsuchida, Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Kashima City Fireworks Festival: Fireworks Over Japan's Largest Torii Gate Standing in Water, Drawing 160,000 Visitors Each Year
The Kashima City Fireworks Festival is held every summer. More than 10,000 fireworks are launched over the course of just over an hour, attracting more than 160,000 spectators each year. What makes the scene especially distinctive is the foreground: Nishi-no-Ichi-no-Torii, Japan's largest torii gate standing in water and even larger than the gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
Recommended Food in Ibaraki
Marumitsu Ryokan
Two-Time Champion of Japan's Hot Pot Competition: Exceptionally Flavorful Monkfish Ramen, Available Only on Weekends
Monkfish, also called anglerfish, is a deep-sea species with an intimidating appearance but tender, delicious flesh. Its rich liver is sometimes called the “foie gras of the sea” and is considered a delicacy. People living in Taiwan rarely have the opportunity to eat monkfish. Marumitsu Ryokan specializes in a variety of monkfish dishes, including monkfish hot pot and monkfish ramen. Its hot pot won first place in Japan's hot pot competition for two consecutive years, making it one of Ibaraki's best-known local specialties.
Restaurant Address: 235 Hiragata-cho, Kitakami City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: Hours Vary by Month. Ramen Is Served Only on Saturdays and Sundays; Check the Current Monthly Announcement.
Atago Yakiniku
Farm-Fresh Hitachi Beef Yakiniku Beside Mito Station (手もみたれ焼肉あたご)
One essential food to try in Ibaraki is locally raised Hitachi beef. This premium wagyu breed originates in Ibaraki Prefecture and is a must-try for visitors. The region's climate and high-quality feed produce abundant marbling and exceptionally fine texture, giving the beef a melt-in-the-mouth quality comparable to Kobe and Matsusaka beef.
To experience the pure flavor of Hitachi beef, yakiniku is one of the best choices alongside shabu-shabu. Atago Yakiniku (手もみたれ焼肉あたご), a popular restaurant near Mito Station, appears on many local dining lists. It specializes in Hitachi beef delivered directly from farms in Ibaraki, allowing guests to indulge in a luxurious grilled-beef feast.
Restaurant Address: 1-3-7 Sakuragawa, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 17:00-23:00 (Closed Mondays)
Recommended Accommodation in Ibaraki
President Hotel Mito
Affordable, Refined Rooms with Excellent Quality (President Hotel Mito)
President Hotel Mito was formerly the Mito Holiday Inn before it was purchased and renamed. “Mito” reflects the Japanese pronunciation of the city's name. The hotel is next to the station, providing excellent access to shops and services. A 24-hour 7-Eleven stands across the street, and the overall location is highly convenient. It is a suitable choice for the first night after arriving in Ibaraki or for a final stay before departure.
Mito Keisei Hotel
Directly Opposite Mito Station (MITO KEISEI HOTEL)
Of the many hotels I have stayed at during repeated visits to Ibaraki, Mito Keisei Hotel is among the closest to the station. Although guests must cross two intersections after leaving the station, the route is lively. A department store directly connected to Mito Station is close to the hotel, a 7-Eleven stands near the intersection outside the entrance, and a Lawson is just across a pedestrian crossing. The surrounding amenities are exceptionally convenient.
Oarai Hotel
Relaxing Pacific Ocean Views from Your Room
Oarai Hotel stands beside Kamiiso-no-Torii, one of Ibaraki's most famous attractions, and is also close to Hitachi Seaside Park. It is a popular choice among independent travelers and tour groups staying in Oarai. Photographers and sunrise enthusiasts also frequently stay here when visiting Ibaraki to photograph the torii gate. As a result, it is one of Oarai's most sought-after hotels.