2025 Kitaibaraki Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

I went there last week because I wanted to see a field of hydrangeas in bloom at the Hydrangea Festival, not just the ones blooming by the roadside! ⁡ In a vast area of ​​30,000 square meters, there are 28,000 hydrangeas and 1,200 varieties! ! I saw some varieties and colors that I don't usually see☺️ ⁡ When I went, only about half of the flowers were in bloom, but they were still so beautiful😇 ⁡ I have a feeling they'll be in full bloom this week or next week, so please go and see them!! ⁡ ——— ■Kitaibaraki Hydrangea Forest 📍 1138 Azukibatake, Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture, inside Soba Dojo (restaurant) 🚗 About 2 to 2.5 hours from Tokyo ※ It's probably impossible to get there by public transportation alone🥲 ⁡ 🎟️Price Adults 500 yen, children (junior high school students and under) 300 yen ※ Free before 50% bloom! ※ Please purchase an admission ticket. (Registration is in front of the soba dojo) ⁡ OPEN [2023 Hydrangea Festival] June 10th (Sat) - July 9th (Sun) 9:00 - 16:00 ——— #domestictravel #hydrangeaforest #ibaraki #hydrangea #hydrangea #ibaraki

Address: 567 Hanazono, Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki 319-1531 The sound of the river and the trees is soothing, and the red bridge and main hall are beautiful! The air is fresh and it's a comfortable place! The goshuin is also beautiful!! The old cedar tree standing in the temple grounds is familiar as the "cedar of childbirth and safe childbirth" because it resembles the figure of a mother who has given birth to a child, and many worshippers come from all over the country!! Although not in the photo, the rhododendrons are also famous!! ◎ It's about 30 minutes by car from Isohara Station🔺🔻 #Forest bathing #Famous flower spot #Breathtaking view

Address: 752 Irishimamachi, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 311-0402 Oiwa Shrine in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture is said to be a power spot where Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell and the first Japanese female astronaut, Chiaki Mukai, are said to have seen a "pillar of light" rising from space. 🕊 ◎ Visiting hours: 6:00-17:00 Climbing hours: 6:00-15:00 Shrine office: 9:00-17:00 #Amazing nature#Breathtaking views#Forest bathing

Michigan, a cruise ship under Biwako Kisen, was named to commemorate the friendship between Shiga Prefecture and the U.S. state of Michigan 🚢. To fully showcase the charm of Lake Biwa, Michigan combines elegant moments on the lake with entertainment experiences, making it a favorite among many travelers. The cruise offers two options: a 60-minute or 90-minute journey, with morning, noon, or evening departures available to suit your schedule 🥂. Guests who pre-order meals online can enjoy a lunch buffet or afternoon tea set in the luxurious seating area on the second floor of the ship. Additionally, the ship features a casual coffee seating area and the Michigan Bar on the third and fourth floors, where you can order light snacks and drinks without reservations, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time on the lake. On sunny days, the open-air seating is highly recommended for a refreshing and relaxing experience. The onboard stage hosts guided sightseeing tours and musical performances led by the crew, enriching the journey with entertainment. From the top observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Biwa's stunning scenery. On the open-access deck, you can even watch the captain steer the ship up close. Moreover, photographers onboard offer to take commemorative photos for guests, which can be purchased as souvenirs if desired. Be sure to take a ride on Michigan to experience the serene and picturesque cruise surrounded by the beauty of Lake Biwa ⛱️. Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased on the day at Otsu Port or reserved online in advance. Access to Otsu Port: Take the Keihan Electric Railway to Biwako-Hamaotsu Station (OT12) and walk about 3 minutes.

📍Kitaibaraki Hydrangea Forest 1138 Azukihata, Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki Opening hours 09:00-16:00 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ I've been to many hydrangea gardens, but this was the first time I've seen such a wide variety of hydrangeas! 320 varieties of wild mountain hydrangeas collected by collectors from the Japan Hydrangea Association from all over the country About 150 varieties of original hydrangeas used as parents for improved varieties, and original varieties by Japanese breeders!! You can enjoy a lot of gorgeous hydrangeas. #Hydrangea #Ibaraki #Kitaibaraki #Variety #Impressive #Hydrangea Festival #Hydrangea Forest #Famous Hydrangea Spots #0 Yen Trip

📍Kitaibaraki Hydrangea Forest 1138 Azukibatake, Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki Opening hours 09:00-16:00 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ The largest hydrangea garden in the Kanto region. 30,000 hydrangeas of 1,300 varieties are in full bloom on the vast 25,000m2 site. You can enjoy a wide variety of hydrangeas while walking along the maze-like walking paths. 320 varieties of mountain hydrangea and Siberian hydrangea are in full bloom from mid-June to late June, and 600 varieties of ball-shaped hydrangea and sepal-flowering hydrangea are in full bloom from mid-June to mid-July. Under the straight cedar trees...a wide variety of hydrangeas It was truly a hydrangea forest! Admission fee Adults: 500 yen Children: 300 yen (junior high school students and younger) *Free before 50% bloom #Ibaraki #Kitaibaraki #Hydrangea #Hydrangea #Hydrangea Forest #0 yen trip

📍Rokkakudo 727-2 Goura, Otsu-machi, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Goura Art and Culture Research Institute Opening hours [April-September] 8:30-17:30 (last entry 17:00) [October, February, March] 8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30) [November-January] 8:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00) ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Goura, said to be the birthplace of modern art It was designed by Okakura Tenshin himself as a place of contemplation in the Meiji era, and is managed by Ibaraki University. This place is a "holy land of modern Japanese painting" that attracted artists such as Yokoyama Taikan and guided their artistic activities. It was washed away by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, but as much of the original as possible was salvaged from the bottom of the sea and reconstructed. You can take a picture of the whole thing from Cape Goura Park on the opposite bank. #Ibaraki #Kitaibaraki #Okakura Tenshin #Rokkakudo #Goura #0 yen trip

📍Goura Beach Goura, Otsu-machi, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki 《Access》 About 38 minutes on foot from the Otsu Port Station exit ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Goura Beach has five inlets: Kogoura, Ogoura, Tsubakiiso, Nakaiso, and Hashiiso. This group of strange rocks is a series of 50m high cliffs and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best beaches. Natural rock art created by the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean I felt that this was a place loved by Okakura Tenshin, a master of modern art. It is also said to be the Matsushima of the Kanto region. #Ibaraki #Kitaibaraki #Goura Beach #Goura #Okakura Tenshin #0 yen trip

📍Okakura Tenshin's former home Goura, Otsu-machi, Kitaibaraki City 《Access》 [Car] 15 minutes from Kitaibaraki IC on the Joban Expressway [Train] Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from Otsuko Station on the JR Joban Line ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Okakura Tenshin's home remains within the Ibaraki University Goura Institute of Art and Culture. When Tenshin moved to this area, he initially lived in an old restaurant. It is said that Tenshin's home was built using old materials from that restaurant. Although the main house is Japanese-style, the front yard is Western-style with grass brought from Boston... The view from the house is spectacular. The house is befitting of a Japanese art thinker. #Ibaraki #Kitaibaraki #Okakura Tenshin #Art thinker #Home #0 yen trip

・Access Tokyo Station → JR Joban Line Limited Express to "Mito" (about 70 minutes) → JR Suigun Line to "Otsu Port" (20 minutes). From the station, take a 10-minute taxi or Kitaibaraki City Shuttle Bus (Izumo Line) and get off at "Rokkakudo Iriguchi" 🚌 For those who prefer to drive, take the Joban Expressway "Kitaibaraki IC" → Prefectural Route 33 for 20 minutes, and there is a parking lot with 10 spaces (free). ・Attractions A small hexagonal pavilion built by the philosopher Okakura Tenshin on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in 1905. The interior is compact at 3.3 m square, but the horizon through the window is cute and looks like a framed art. It was washed away in the tsunami in March 2011, but was restored in April 2012 with donations of about 40 million yen from all over the country. It is heartwarming to see this "symbol of reconstruction" that faithfully reproduces even the original tiles and glass from the time of its construction. For an admission fee of 400 yen, you can also stroll around the former Tenshin residence and gardens. I wasn't able to see it myself, but if you go first thing in the morning, you can see the backlit waves and vermilion roofs. There are plenty of detours to do in the area, including the Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Goura Onsen, and monkfish hotpot at Hiragata Fishing Port. A loop of culture → hot springs → seafood makes for a perfect adult excursion. #0yentrip #domestictravel

#GlobalTravel When it comes to the suburbs of Tokyo, many people will think of Kamakura or Kawaguchiko, but don't forget Ibaraki Prefecture in the northern part of Kanto! It is about an hour's drive from Tokyo and the transportation is very convenient. Ibaraki Prefecture, which for many years ranked last in terms of attractiveness among Japan's prefectures, has been actively developing its tourism industry in recent years, and there are now many unforgettable attractions! In spring and autumn, you can see the most famous scenery in Ibaraki - the butterfly flowers and broom grass in the Hitachi Seaside Park. When I visited in winter, the most unforgettable thing was to enjoy the magnificent view of the sea torii at "Oarai Isomae Shrine". That night, I stayed in a hot spring hotel "Nishima Tourist Hotel" on the seaside. It was also very memorable to enjoy the sea view while soaking in the hot spring. 📍Address: Ibaraki

We stayed at the new TeamLab facility in Chiba 🏕️ Until now, you had to go to Saga to see TeamLab in the forest, but it's only available in the summer. This one is in Kanto, in Chiba, next to Tokyo, and it's permanent, so you can go there any time of the year. We walked through the forest at night for an hour, but it went by in a flash 🌳 Everyone who stays at the hotel gets a ticket to TeamLab. There are two types of rooms, cottages and tents, and the four of us stayed in the cottage. It was spacious with two floors, and there was kaleidoscope-like art on the second floor! It was beautiful at night and in the morning. Two meals are included, so we had fun having BBQs at night and in the morning🍖 Infinity Onsen is a mixed bath, so it's also recommended for couples👫❤️ . . . 📍Goura Yuya Kakudaato Onsen 🗺️Ibaraki, Japan 🕒Check-in 15:00/Check-out 10:00 💰¥38,000/person includes two meals + TeamLab admission tickets for the number of people . #trip accommodation report #Chiba sightseeing #hotel stay

Did you know that a night-only TeamLab has opened in Goura, Chiba Prefecture? You can enjoy digital art by walking through the forest at night for an hour. The highlight is the art where you can walk on the water of the rice terraces. I heard that the water was about 3cm, but it was surprisingly deep, so I was right to wear thick-soled Crocs and take off my socks. I splashed around and got wet up to my ankles💦 There are no towels or other equipment, so you must bring a handkerchief. It's pretty cold in winter lol There were many beautiful works even before I got here, but the beauty can't be conveyed in photos, so I hope you will experience it for yourself...! . . . 📍TeamLab Yuya Kakuda Ruins 🗺️Ibaraki, Japan 🕒From 30 minutes after sunset 💤First Tuesday of every month 💰¥2200 #tripDomesticTravel #ChibaTourism #WinterTrip

#DomesticTravelRecord I went to the TeamLab exhibition held for a limited time in Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture by car😊 Since there are no houses or shops around, it has created a very quiet and wonderful space✨ Since it is held during the clear winter air, the lighting effects are so fantastic that I stopped and took a lot of photos👀Since there are no lights around, the starry sky is also beautiful🌟 Since it is located far from the nearest Otsu Port Station, I recommend taking a car or a taxi from the station🚗 I walked around the venue for about an hour, and it was well maintained and easy to walk, but it was quite dark underfoot, so I had to be careful on the stairs😶 There is a place where you have to walk through a puddle (it's okay if you don't go through it👍) so it's best to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet🙌 #KitaibarakiCity #YuyokukagetaAto #TeamLab

Hitachi Seaside Park is located on the Pacific coast in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and offers a variety of colorful flowers to enjoy throughout the year, including nemophila, daffodils, and tulips in spring, poppies and roses in early summer, zinnias and sunflowers in summer, kochia and cosmos in autumn, and ice tulips in winter. There is also the Pleasure Garden, an amusement park with over 25 attractions, including a large Ferris wheel with a view from 100 meters above sea level, as well as a forest athletic field, a barbecue field, and more, for dining, sports, picnics, and more. There are as many ways to enjoy yourself at this charming park.

Nakore no Seki, one of the 100 most scenic spots in Ibaraki, is a famous spot in the north of the prefecture. As part of the Ibaraki Prefecture North Geopark Project, the Rokkakudo Hall, which was washed away in the Great East Japan Earthquake, has been recreated, allowing visitors to enjoy the view from the high ground along with the sea. #KitaibarakiCity

Goura Coast is a famous tourist spot in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, and the "Rokkakudo" built on the edge of the coastline is the place where the famous Japanese painter Okakura Tenshin created his works. Rokkakudo was directly damaged in the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake. Now it has been rebuilt and is waiting for tourists to visit again.