What to Do in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan?
Ibaraki is one of prefectures in Kanto area, and it is pretty big. There are many attractions with beautiful nature such as the 2nd biggest park all over the world with history, a park with pretty flower, a waterfall with autumn leaves, a mountain, a shrine on the beach, and etc.!
Let’s get to know where to go for sightseeing in Ibaraki, and enjoy fresh air and wonderful view!
Kairakuen – Mito, Ibaraki
Kairakuen is made by Nariaki Tokugawa, opened in 1842, and the second largest park in the world next to Central Park in NYC.
It is also one of 3 famous gardens in Japan with Kourakuen (Okayama) and Kenrokuen (Ishikawa).
Mito Ume matsuri – Plum Flower Festival in spring is very beautiful with 100 kinds and 1000 plum trees! Many people visit and enjoy it.
Mt. Tsukuba & Tsukuba Shrine – Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Altitude is only 880 meters though, you can have a whole view of Kanto area, also Mt.Fuji!
It is also not difficult to visit since there are some good-maintenanced trails.
Buddha – Ushiku
The height is 120 meters, and it is registered in Guinness Book of Records as the largest standing statue made by bronze.
You can go inside and look around from observation at 85 meters high.
2083 Kunocho, Ushiku, Ibaraki 300-1288, Japan
Ibaraki nature museum – Bando
It is a good place to visit with kids, there are exhibitions for dinosaurs, animals, plants, and so on!
Also there is a nice grass field outside, so that kids can play or you can have a picnic.
https://www.nat.museum.ibk.ed.jp/english/
Ryujin Big Suspension Bridge – Hitachi Ota
Ryujin Big Suspension Bridge (竜神大吊橋) became popular due to a TV commercial by Google in Japan.
They put Koinobori for Children’s day (May 5th) from middle of April to middle of May like a pic above. Also you can enjoy walking the bridge with autumn leaves in autumn.
2133-6 Keganocho, Hitachiota, Ibaraki 313-0351, Japan
Fukuroda no Taki Waterfall
Fukuroda no Taki Waterfall (袋田の滝) is located only a half hour by car from Ryujin Bridge, you can get here.
The waterfall is 120 meters high! You can have a look from promenade and also tunnel. In addition, it’s beautiful with autumn leaves!
３-19 Fukuroda, Daigo, Kuji District, Ibaraki 319-3523, Japan
Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine at Oarai Beach
Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine is very popular for sunrise especially on New Year’s Day.
If you are planning to stay at Oarai area, you should go see sunrise here.
There is a Torii Gate on the rock in ocean, and the sun comes up behind of it.
8249-1 Isohamacho, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki 311-1301, Japan
Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is known for beautiful flower field in each season such as Nemophila (Baby Blue Eyes), Kochia, Narcissus, Tulip, Rose, and so on.
There are restaurants, shops, sport field, and etc. so that you can enjoy whole day!
https://hitachikaihin.jp/en/
Ibaraki flower park
On process of renewal! It says it will be open in April, 2021!
Access – How to Get Ibaraki?
Airplane
There is Ibaraki airport in Ibaraki, although it might be easier to get there from Narita or Haneda airport unless you are coming from inside of Japan.
Bus / Car
If you would like to go some specific places where is not accessible by Train, you should consider going there by bus or car. Also you can find some bus tours for famous destination like Hitachi Seaside Park which i did.
In addition, it would be comfortable and easier for you if you go with kids.
Train
I personally like to go somewhere by train, since i don’t need to worry about traffic jam. So I have been to Ushiku area and Mito area by train from Tokyo. It took some time, and also you sometimes need to use a bus from station to destination. Although, i liked it.
How far is ibaraki from tokyo?
Ibaraki is huge, so I would explain from Tokyo station to Mito station.
It takes an hour to 2h to get there by train depending on which train you’d use and time table, and about 1.5 to 2 hours by car/bus depending on traffic though.
Day Trip from Tokyo
You can do a day trip from Tokyo, or even Kanagawa, I would say. It will be a whole day but you can enjoy it to the fullest 😉
I would write what to do/eat in each area too!
Hope you get interested in Ibaraki!
