Ibaraki travel blog: The fullest Ibaraki travel guide for first-timers

Ibaraki Japan with its unique architecture, impressive traditional culture, and beautiful nature is an attractive destination for you. So, where to go and what to do in ibaraki? Let’s check out our ibaraki travel blog with the ultimate Ibaraki travel guide (Ibaraki guide) for first-time visitors below!

Ibaraki, a prefecture in eastern Japan, is an attractive destination that attracts tourists by its unique blend of tradition and modernity. With beautiful beaches, historic temples, and the harmony between people and nature, this place is definitely a destination not to be missed in Japan. Explore this beautiful land with us and pocket useful travel guide for you!

Ibaraki – Beautiful Nature and Traditional Culture Only 1 Hour Drive From Tokyo

As one of the prefectures in the Kanto region, Ibaraki is located only about 100 km north of central Tokyo – convenient for tourists to incorporate into their Japan travel schedule. With its capital city of Mito, Ibaraki is not only famous for its long history and modern industry (the birthplace of Hitachi Group), but also known for its diverse nature, ancient gardens, beautiful coastlines and the most famous flower viewing spots in Japan.

Not as crowded as Tokyo, not as far as Hokkaido, Ibaraki is the ideal destination for those who want to find a simple, airy Japan rich in local experiences.

Ibaraki travel guide: Guide to Getting to Ibaraki Prefecture from Tokyo

From Tokyo, you can easily get to Ibaraki by many different means of transport – suitable for both short day trips and long trips to explore the Kanto region.

Go to Ibaraki by Train

• JR Jōban Line: Depart from Ueno or Nippori Station (Tokyo), go straight to Mito Station or other major cities in Ibaraki. Travel time is about 1.5 – 2 hours, ticket price is about 2,000 – 3,500 yen, depending on the type of train (regular or express).
• Tsukuba Express Line: Connects Akihabara Station (Tokyo) with Tsukuba City, taking only about 45-50 minutes. This is an ideal choice if you want to explore the science, technology and nature of Tsukuba.

(*) Suggestion: Visitors can use JR Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass to save costs when traveling by train to Ibaraki and neighboring areas.

Long-distance Bus

From Tokyo Station (Yaesu Gate), you can take the highway bus to stations such as Mito, Hitachi or Tsukuba.

Travel time is about 1.5 – 2 hours, ticket price ranges from 2,100 – 3,300 yen, depending on the route and time of day.

Self-driving Car

If you want to be proactive about your schedule and stop at many places in the province, renting a self-driving car is an ideal choice.

From Tokyo, you can take the Joban Expressway or Ken-O Expressway.

The average travel time to central Ibaraki is about 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on the specific location and traffic conditions.

When is the best time to visit Ibaraki?

With a temperate climate and diverse landscape, Ibaraki is an ideal destination all year round. Each season has its own beauty, from plum blossoms in early spring to red leaves in late autumn and white snow in winter.

Spring (March – May)

Ibaraki becomes a flower paradise when thousands of plum trees at Kairaku-en bloom in early March, marking the beginning of spring. In late April – early May, Hitachi Seaside Park is ablaze with millions of blue nemophila flowers, spreading like a carpet of the sky on the ground.

Summer (June – August)

The warm weather is the ideal time to enjoy beaches like Oarai and Hitachi, join summer festivals or enjoy fresh seafood specialties. Ibaraki is also famous for its colorful fireworks festivals by the river or the sea in July–August.

Autumn (September – November)

This is the best season to see the maple and ginkgo leaves changing colors. Places like Fukuroda Falls, Mount Tsukuba or Hitachiota Forest are all covered in brilliant red and yellow, attracting photography enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Winter (December – February)

Winter in Ibaraki is quiet and romantic, especially when Fukuroda Falls freezes, creating a spectacular scene. This is also the season to enjoy hot pot dishes, in which the most prominent is anglerfish hot pot – a cold season specialty of the coastal region.

Each season in Ibaraki has many attractive tourist activities and cultural festivals, you can refer to the Kimono Rental Experience tour in Ibaraki to immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere here.

Where to go and what to do in Ibaraki? Discover interesting activities, Must-go places in Ibaraki Prefecture – Japan

Ryujin Suspension Bridge

Ryujin Suspension Bridge is one of the longest and highest suspension bridges in Japan, located in the Ryujin Mountains in the Hitachiota area. The bridge is about 375 meters long and over 100 meters high, creating an attractive and relaxing place with majestic scenery of green hills and the misty Ryujin River below. For visitors who enjoy wild natural scenery and immerse themselves in nature, Ryujin Suspension Bridge is an ideal stop on their journey to explore Ibaraki.

Kairakuen Garden

Kairakuen Garden is one of the three most beautiful Japanese gardens and is famous for its enchanting natural scenery. The garden was established in the 19th century and spreads over a large area, creating a peaceful and relaxing space. What makes this garden different from other gardens in Japan is that it is famous for its plum blossoms, not cherry blossoms. The annual plum blossom festival is held in spring, attracting thousands of visitors to admire the red, pink, and white scenery of more than 3,000 plum trees here.

Mito Castle Ruins

Mito Castle, also known as Hirayama Castle, is located on a plateau between the Naka River and Lake Senba, and is one of the important historical sites in Ibaraki, Japan. Built from the late Heian period to the early Kamakura period, this castle has a much longer history than many other castles in the region.

Today, when walking around Mito City, visitors can see the remaining embankments and ditches (moats), as most of the large buildings were burned down during World War II. However, the “Yakuimon” – the oldest building that still exists, retains the beauty of the Satake era and is a cultural property of Ibaraki Prefecture. To visualize the appearance of Ninomaru Kakuto and Otemon in the past, visitors can visit Yakuimon, which was restored and relocated from the original location of the castle.

Kasama Inari-jinja Shrine

Kasama Inari-jinja Shrine, located in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a sacred shrine with a history of more than 1,360 years. Kasama Inari-jinja Shrine attracts more than 810,000 visitors during Hatsumode – a visit to a shrine every New Year.

The beautiful wisteria trellises in the shrine grounds are about 400 years old, creating a poetic landscape and attracting the attention of visitors. In addition to praying for good luck and a bountiful harvest, visitors also have the opportunity to participate in the Ninen Mairi (New Year’s ceremony) held from New Year’s Eve at the Worship Hall.

Outside the shrine is an old shopping street with nostalgic shops, where visitors can taste the famous Inarizushi and find unique ceramic works. The Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art are also places where visitors can learn about the city’s sharp ceramic culture.

Oarai Sun Beach

Oarai Sun Beach is a place where visitors can relax and enjoy sunny days in a beautiful beach space. The beach has fine sand, clear blue water and is an ideal stop for sunbathing, swimming and participating in outdoor activities. Oarai Sun is also famous for its amusement areas, restaurants and souvenir shops, creating a vibrant entertainment space.

Aqua World Oarai Aquarium

For those who love marine animals and aquariums, Aqua World Oarai is an interesting destination. This place is home to 68,000 marine species, including 580 species living in fresh water, salt water, from tropical to polar creatures. Visitors can enjoy impressive performances, visit many species of sharks, rays, sardines, sea turtles, dolphins, … In addition, you can also buy unique souvenirs at the aquarium’s sales counter as gifts for relatives.

Beautiful Flower Paradise: Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Park attracts visitors with its fresh air and colorful flower fields. Each hill is planted with a different type of flower, so there are always flowers blooming all year round. In spring, the park is immersed in a sea of ​​blue and purple with beautiful Nemophila flowers, attracting visitors to participate in the annual Flower Viewing Festival.

In summer, the park is brilliant with more than 4,000 roses from over 140 species. In late autumn, cosmos flowers bloom all over the park, bringing a cool and gentle Japanese atmosphere. Visitors can ride bicycles, participate in games in the park, or enjoy the wonderful Rock music show held here every August.

Kashima Shrine

Kashima Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, built in the 7th century BC. The shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Takemikazuchi-no-Okami, a martial arts god revered by many people, including the royal family. As the largest Shinto shrine in the Kanto region, Kashima Jingu is recognized as one of Japan’s important cultural properties and attracts many visitors. Locals and tourists often come to the shrine to pray for strength to overcome difficulties, as well as to pray for a smooth childbirth.

Ayame Festival

Summer is also the time for the Iris Festival (Suigo Itako) at Ayame River Park. The park and the roads along the canals in Ikato are covered with layers of purple, white, and yellow irises. In the park, you can admire a million irises blooming together, and watch Ayame performances with traditional musical instruments. The highlight of the festival is Yomeiri-bune, an event where brides sit on boats through the canals to their husband’s home.

Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha Statue

Located in Ushiki City, the Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha is one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, standing at 120m tall. Inside the statue is the main shrine and an 85m high observation deck. Surrounding the statue is a large garden of 10,000 square meters. Many people come here to find peace and tranquility for their souls, or to take a picnic with their loved ones. You can come here to meditate and copy sutras, visit the main shrine, or visit the pets and flower gardens.

Mount Tsukuba Ropeway

Mount Tsukuba is one of the famous mountains in Ibaraki, and the Tsukuba Ropeway is a great way to save time for you to reach the top of the mountain. During the journey up, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ibaraki. When you reach the top of the mountain, the whole Ibaraki region will appear before you, poetic and charming. Sunset is the best time to enjoy the view from Mount Tsukuba, you can arrange your travel schedule to come here in the evening.

Ibaraki Specialties: Local Flavors Not to Be Missed!

Hitachi Beef (Hitachigyu)

Hitachi beef is one of Japan’s famous wagyu brands, raised from Japanese black cattle for more than 30 months on a strict diet, including barley, corn and hay. The meat is evenly marbled, soft and melts in the mouth, meeting the A4–A5 quality standards according to the Japan Meat Grading Association.

Natto Mito – Fermented Soybeans

Mito, the capital of Ibaraki, is known for its natto production – a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish. Natto Mito is famous for its small beans, sticky texture and distinctive flavor. This dish is rich in protein, vitamin K and enzymes that are good for digestion, and is often served with hot rice for breakfast.

Anko Fish Hotpot (Anko-nabe)

Anko-nabe is a traditional hotpot dish of Ibaraki, using anglerfish (Anko fish) – a deep-sea fish with white, chewy meat and fatty liver, often likened to “foie gras of the sea”. This hotpot is cooked with a broth made from kombu dashi, miso and winter vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, mushrooms and tofu, creating a rich, warm flavor on cold days.

Fresh Seafood

With a long coastline, Ibaraki is famous for its rich seafood resources such as tuna, salmon, scallops and squid. Nakaminato Fish Market is an ideal destination to enjoy sushi, sashimi and fresh seafood dishes, prepared on the spot.

Hitachi Aki Soba Noodles

Hitachi Aki Soba is a type of soba noodles made from a special variety of buckwheat grown in Hitachiota, Ibaraki. The noodles have a rich, slightly sweet flavor and are rich in nutrients, especially rutin – an antioxidant that is good for the heart. This noodle dish is often enjoyed in the fall, when buckwheat is at its best.

Recommended Convenient Places to Stay in Ibaraki – Mito, Japan

• Ibaraki Central Hotel: This hotel offers spacious single and double rooms, fully equipped with modern and convenient amenities. Guests can enjoy a comfortable space and professional service while exploring the popular tourist attractions in the area.
• Akira Heights: Located in the Akira area, this hotel offers spacious and modern apartments with full self-catering facilities and a common living area. With its spacious space and modern design, Akira Heights offers a comfortable and relaxing stay for guests. (agoda, booking)
• Hotel Areaone Tokai: Hotel Areaone Tokai is located near the center of Tsukuba, an area famous for its scientific and technological research. This hotel offers comfortable and convenient rooms with all the necessary amenities. Guests can enjoy professional service, a restaurant with delicious dishes, and entertainment facilities in the area.(agoda, booking)
• Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tsukuba: This hotel offers comfortable, luxurious, and modern rooms with a comfortable space. Guests can enjoy a great rest after a busy day exploring Ibaraki. The diverse facilities and attentive service at this hotel meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers. (agoda, booking)
• Hotel Bestland: Hotel Bestland is a budget-friendly yet well-equipped option in Tsukuba. This hotel offers comfortable rooms and basic amenities for guests to enjoy a pleasant trip. With its convenient location and affordable price, Hotel Bestland is a good choice for budget travelers. (agoda, booking)

Check out more best hotels in Ibaraki on Agoda or Booking.

Ibaraki, with its beautiful nature and unique culture, is an ideal stopover on your journey to explore the land of the rising sun.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Ibaraki you can refer to

• Ibaraki Hitachi Seaside Park & Mentaiko factory tour (from Tokyo)
• Ibaraki: Hitachi Seaside Park & Mentaiko Park Day Tour (From Shinjuku/Tokyo)
• Ibaraki: National Hitachi Seaside Park & Oarai Isomae Shrine & pear picking all-you-can-eat one-day tour (departing from Tokyo)
• Hitachi Seaside Park & Ashikaga Flower Park One Day Tour from Tokyo
• 2D1N Hitachinokuni Gourmet Tour in Ibaraki Prefecture from Tokyo

Read more Japan guide here.