Ibaraki Prefecture, easily accessible from the city center, boasts abundant nature and overwhelmingly scaled scenic views. While Ibaraki often gets teased in charm rankings, it’s actually an area densely packed with ‘ultimate tourist spots’ that are Japan’s best, world-class, and rich in deep history.
This time, we’ll introduce five carefully selected tourist spots that will satisfy both first-time visitors to Ibaraki and repeat travelers. We’ve compiled not just textbook information, but also efficient ways to get around locally, and even the deep history and untold stories hidden within, providing real information travelers truly want to know.
Hitachi Seaside Park
📍 Address: 605-4 Onuma, Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0012, JapanIn spring, blue nemophila flowers blend with the sky; in autumn, kochia turns fiery red. Hitachi Seaside Park, renowned globally through SNS and international media, is an undisputed classic for Ibaraki tourism.
The vast ‘Miharashi Hill,’ covered in flowers, is truly a spectacular sight, but this beautiful landscape actually has a deep history. After World War II, this area was seized by the US military as the ‘Mito Air-to-Ground Firing Range,’ and dangerous bombing drills were conducted here for a long time. Later, the persistent efforts of local residents for its return bore fruit, and the development of the park as a ‘symbol of peace’ was decided. The peaceful flower fields we see today are a miraculous hill born from people’s wishes for peace.
💡 Travel Tip:
The park is immense, about seven times the size of Tokyo Disneyland (planned total area 350ha)! Walking through everything can be very exhausting. We highly recommend renting a bicycle near the entrance and cycling along the dedicated paths, feeling the sea breeze. Alternatively, make smart use of the ‘Seaside Train,’ a park loop bus that runs every 15 minutes. Bringing a bento and having a picnic in the grassy areas also makes for a perfect day off.
Fukuroda Falls
📍 Address: 3-19 Fukuroda, Daigo, Kuji District, Ibaraki 319-3523, JapanFukuroda Falls is counted among ‘Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls,’ alongside Kegon Falls in Nikko and Nachi Falls in Kumano. The powerful panorama of water cascading down a colossal 120-meter high, 73-meter wide rock face in four stages is a must-see.
This waterfall is also known as ‘Yodo-no-Taki’ (Four-Time Falls). The name comes from the Heian-era poet-monk Saigyo Hoshi, who, upon visiting the site, highly praised it, saying, ‘One cannot truly appreciate the waterfall’s charm unless they visit it once in each of the four seasons.’ It reveals completely different expressions with each visit: the fresh green of spring, the glistening spray in summer, the brocade-like autumn foliage, and the ‘icefall’ (hyobaku), where the entire waterfall freezes pure white, in winter.
💡 Travel Tip:
To reach the observation decks, you pay an entrance fee and proceed through a dedicated tunnel. From the First Observation Deck, you can experience the waterfall’s raw power up close, while the Second Observation Deck, accessed by elevator, offers a panoramic view of the entire four-tiered falls. Shopping at the surrounding souvenir shops (grilled sweetfish and dango on a stick are highly recommended!) can also get you a discount on parking, so enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium
📍 Address: 8252-3 Isohamacho, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki 311-1301, JapanAqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium, boasting one of Japan’s top-class scales, garners eager attention from aquarium enthusiasts nationwide. Its greatest appeal is undoubtedly its status as the ‘number one aquarium in Japan for shark species kept.’ Over 50 species of sharks are exhibited throughout the facility, and the sight of sand tiger sharks (which look ferocious but are actually docile) swimming majestically in the enormous tank is truly awe-inspiring.
The emphasis on shark exhibits stems from the local characteristic that Oarai’s sea lies at a tidal convergence, historically home to a diverse array of shark species. From the first successful breeding of sand tiger sharks in Japan, the exhibits are filled with the extraordinary ‘shark love’ and dedication of the caretakers, guaranteed to spark intellectual curiosity in both adults and children.
💡 Travel Tip:
Beyond sharks, don’t miss the ‘Encounter Sea’ main tank where schools of sardines shimmer, the fantastic jellyfish area ‘Jellyfish 365,’ and Japan’s largest sunfish tank. For the dolphin and sea lion ocean show, sitting in the front rows means getting soaked by a lot of spray, so don’t forget to bring a poncho or leisure sheet. Weekends can be very crowded, so purchasing digital tickets in advance will ensure smoother entry.
Ushiku Daibutsu
📍 Address: 2083 Kunochō, Ushiku, Ibaraki 300-1288, JapanDriving on the highway, an incredibly massive structure suddenly appears amidst the rural landscape. That is the Ushiku Daibutsu, one of the world’s largest bronze statues, standing at an astonishing 120 meters tall. Considering the Statue of Liberty is approximately 46 meters, you can grasp just how extraordinary its scale is.
Even from the outside, it’s astonishing, looking ‘like a composite photo,’ but its true wonder lies ‘within’ the Daibutsu. Not only can you ascend by elevator to an observation deck in the chest at 85 meters above ground, but stepping into the ‘World of Lotus Store’ (Rengezo Sekai) on the third floor reveals approximately 3,400 golden Buddha statues lining the walls, radiating a dazzling light. This overwhelming, almost cyberpunk-like Buddhist cosmic space leaves an unforgettable impact once experienced.
💡 Travel Tip:
At the foot of the Daibutsu is a vast Pure Land Garden, where cherry blossoms and poppies bloom in spring, and cosmos flowers in autumn. There’s also an adjacent petting zoo (with opportunities to interact with small animals and watch monkey shows), so families can easily enjoy 1-2 hours here. It’s an irresistible spot for lovers of giant structures and photography.
Mt. Nyotai (Mt. Tsukuba)
📍 Address: 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-4352, JapanMt. Tsukuba is often called ‘Fuji in the west, Tsukuba in the east.’ It’s a twin-peaked mountain with Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyotai, with Mt. Nyotai being its highest peak at 877 meters. The mountain itself is considered a deity, and it’s one of Kanto’s leading power spots, steeped in the myths of Izanagi and Izanami.
To reach the summit of Mt. Nyotai, you can take the ‘Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway’ from Tsutsujigaoka Station, arriving in just a short time. Standing on the rocky summit, an unobstructed 360-degree panoramic view of the Kanto Plain unfolds, and on clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji and the Tokyo Skytree.
💡 Travel Tip:
If you’re visiting Mt. Tsukuba, be sure to explore the cluster of ‘unusual and strange rocks’ scattered around Mt. Nyotai’s summit. You can experience a sense of adventure in these mystical spaces where ancient people found gods, such as ‘Benkei Nana Modori’ (Benkei’s Seven Retreats), a rock so precarious it seemed Benkei would fall back seven times; ‘Gamaishi’ (Toad Rock), where throwing a pebble into its mouth is said to bring good fortune; and ‘Haha no Tainai Kuguri’ (Womb of the Mother), believed to grant benefits for rebirth. The summit area can be windy and chilly, so it’s recommended to bring warm clothing outside of summer.
Conclusion: Ibaraki Tourism is a Series of ‘Overwhelming Scale’!
From the vast flower fields of Hitachi Seaside Park to the natural beauty of Fukuroda Falls, Aqua World Oarai’s in-depth shark exhibits, the colossal Ushiku Daibutsu, and Mt. Tsukuba, where myths come alive – Ibaraki’s tourist spots are all grand in scale, leaving a strong, unforgettable impression once visited.
Whether you prefer a quick day trip from the city center or a leisurely 1-2 day stay to thoroughly enjoy each area’s scenic beauty and local delicacies (such as Okukuji Shamo chicken, Hitachi beef, and anglerfish), we encourage you to seek out a ‘heart-stirring experience’ in Ibaraki on your next holiday!
