Ibaraki Prefecture has a unique combination of natural beauty and scientific and technological development. Mount Tsukuba and Kasumigaura are blessed with rich natural environments, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons. Kairakuen Garden in Mito is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan and is especially famous for its plum blossoms. Meanwhile, in terms of science and technology, Tsukuba City is known as the center of research and development in Japan. Thus, Ibaraki Prefecture's intersection of history and the future makes it an attractive destination for people with a variety of interests.

Where is Ibaraki?

Mito Area

About 2 hours from Tokyo Station by trains.

Hitachi Seaside Park

The park has become famous for its blue flowers, especially in the spring, the nemophila. Tens of thousands of nemophila bloom in profusion, creating a beautiful landscape that looks like a blue carpet, attracting many tourists from Japan and around the world. In addition to the nemophilas, there are other areas in the park where visitors can enjoy different flowers each season, such as cosmos in the fall and sunflowers in the summer. The expansive grounds also include a plaza perfect for strolls and picnics, as well as playground equipment for children.

Kairakuen Garden

It is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan and is especially famous for its plum blossoms. Every spring, approximately 3,000 plum trees bloom and provide a beautiful sight. In addition to plum blossoms, the garden also offers seasonal flowers and nature, making it an ideal place for a stroll or picnic. Mito's Kairakuen Garden is well worth a visit for those seeking the beauty and tranquility of nature.

Oarai Coast

Oarai Coast, with its wide sandy beach and crystal clear water, is crowded with people enjoying swimming and surfing in summer. The beach is also known as a sunrise spot, attracting many people in the early morning to see the beautiful scenery. A torii gate marking the entrance to the sanctuary is erected on the sea, offering a mysterious view. Oarai Coast is a popular spot for many tourists throughout the year, not only because of its natural beauty, but also because of the many gourmet restaurants and hot spring facilities in the area.

Tsukuba Area

About 1 hour from Tokyo Station by trains.

Mt. Tsukuba

Mt. Tsukuba offers beautiful natural scenery as well as magnificent views of the Kanto Plain and, weather permitting, the Tokyo Sky Tree and Mt. Fuji. Mt. Tsukuba has a ropeway and a cable car, both of which provide easy access to the summit. Visitors can enjoy nature in all seasons, with beautiful cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring and autumn leaves in fall. There are also hot spring facilities at the foot of the mountain, so after climbing or hiking, you can relax in the hot springs, making this a spot where you can enjoy yourself all day long.

Ushiku Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Ushiku)

This Great Buddha is the tallest seated posture Buddha statue in the world. Ushiku Daibutsu was built with a wish for peace, and inside there is a gallery with exhibits about Buddha images and Buddhism. Surrounding it are beautiful gardens and ponds that provide a tranquil and serene atmosphere for visitors.

Kasumigaura Bay

Kasumigaura is the second largest lake in Japan. The lake is known for its beautiful natural scenery and rich ecosystem, and offers water sports such as fishing, yachting, and windsurfing. There is a bicycle path around the lake, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the lake leisurely by bicycle. Kasumigaura is one of Ibaraki Prefecture's representative natural spots, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery created by its vast water surface and the changes in nature from season to season.

JAXA Tsukuba Space Center

The Tsukuba Space Center is one of the main facilities of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Here, research related to Japan's space program, satellite development, and astronaut training are conducted. Visitors can learn about the achievements of space development and space technology through exhibits that allow them to get up close and personal with models of actual spacecraft and training equipment used by astronauts. The museum also introduces the latest research results and projects related to space, making it a very attractive spot for those with an interest in space.

North Ibaraki Area

About 2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by trains and buses.

Fukuroda Falls

Fukuroda Falls, with its four tiers of cascading waterfalls, is beautiful in different seasons, especially during the fall foliage season, when it attracts many tourists. The Fukuroda Falls area is also dotted with hot springs, of which Fukuroda Onsen is the most famous. From this hot spring, visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot spring while admiring the rich natural scenery. In combination with the powerful view of the waterfall, the relaxing time in the hot spring offers the best healing for visitors.

Ryujin Suspension Bridge

The Ryujin Suspension Bridge is a sightseeing spot with spectacular natural scenery. From this suspension bridge, which spans a ravine, visitors can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, and it is especially crowded with people during the season of autumn foliage. There is also a walking trail that allows visitors to feel nature up close, providing an opportunity to refresh themselves.

In Ibaraki, every visit is a journey through time—from the historical elegance of traditional gardens to the futuristic pulse of research hubs. It's a destination that not only captivates with its natural splendor throughout the seasons but also inspires with its role in shaping tomorrow. Whether you're drawn to the quietude of nature or the thrill of innovation, Ibaraki Prefecture offers a unique experience where the past and the future are intertwined in the most harmonious way.

03/15/2024

Explore Ibaraki: From Baby Blue Eyes to High Tech