A short trip from Tokyo – Ibaraki
5 top things to do in Ibaraki – Nature, pets, family fun near Tokyo
Looking for a nature lovers’ short trip from Tokyo?
Ibaraki is a scenic, coastal prefecture just a short trip from Tokyo, making it a perfect weekend getaway location. It’s close to the middle of the country so it beautifully showcases each season. This means you can keep returning and experience a completely unique scene at different times of the year.
1. Fukuroda Falls
Fukuroda Falls is a 120 metre high spectacle with water spilling over four different rock platforms with great force. After you walk through a 276 metre tunnel with the view obstructed, you are delightfully surprised as falls suddenly appear before you.
After viewing the falls from mid-way up, you can take an elevator to get a higher view. Gaze down the stream to see a small, but stunning suspension bridge.
Take this bridge back to the shops and after getting some more beautiful photos, taste some of the region’s ayu sweet fish on a stick cooked over coals. If you like whole fish that is.
Traditional local food
The Falls are located in the north-west of the prefecture in a small town called Daigo, famous for its Okukuji apples. If a whole ayu sweet fish is not your thing, grab some locally made, flaky apple pie instead.
We were lucky enough to come across the most beautiful log cabin cafe called Cafe Ayu Yumori with a fireplace serving coffee and sweets, including apple pie! It was so cosy and dreamy, perfect for a winter’s day. If you’re driving, stop by, you won’t regret it.
Fukuroda Falls
Hours: 8:00 – 18:00 (9:00 – 17:00 from November to April)
Admission: Adults 300 yen, children 150 yen
Access: The best way to reach the falls is by car. It’s approximately three hours from Tokyo. Otherwise, it’s a long distance bus or multiple train lines that don’t operate frequently.
2. Hitachi Seaside Park
Japan is so very good at transforming attractions with the seasons, so you can continue to return and experience something different. Hitachi Seaside Park is just that. Every season, the swathes of flowers or plants change and create an artistic landscape of colour. Usually one solid colour for miles.
Nemophila flowers
Nemophila flowers are actually native to North America and most species contain the phrase ‘baby blue eyes’ in their common name.
We visited in April to see the famous nemophila pastel blue flowers and they were exquisite. The blue hue was mesmerising. People usually colour coordinate their clothes (and pets’ clothes) and accessories with the same blue. Trinkets and even food come in the colour. It’s a celebration of blue!
The crowds do become intense, so it’s best to get there as early as possible. We could see a large ferris wheel from the flower park which piqued the kids’ interest and we spent the rest of the day at the small, but perfectly entertaining amusement park next door. We were surprised it wasn’t busier after witnessing the crowds at the flowers.
There are rides, a ferris wheel, BMX bike track, cycling trail, a small rollercoaster, carnival games and food stalls. It’s the perfect bribe, I mean antidote to bored kids looking at flowers!
Hitachi Seaside Park
Hours: 9:30am-4:30pm (or 5:30pm) depending on the season
Admission: Seasonal pricing for adults 750 yen, regular season for adults 450 yen. At the amusement park, you can buy tickets to use on rides, or pay for each ride separately.
Address: Hitachi Seaside Park, 312-0012 Ibaraki, Hitachinaka, Mawatari, 605-4
Website: Check the park’s official website to see what is blooming when you plan to visit.
Access:
- By car: From Mito, the drive is only 30 minutes, making it a good base. From Tokyo it’s a 1 hour 50 minute drive. There is ample parking, but better if you arrive early for special events.
- By public transportation: You can get a train to Katsuta Station and then a 15 minute bus ride from there.
3. Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba is a 877 metre high non-volcanic mountain famous for its double peaks. The peaks represent a union and it is believed the mountain will bestow marital bliss and harmony upon visitors.
The history of the mountain is intriguing, with a story of a rivalry between Tsukuba-san and Fuji-san.
The story: A deity came from above and asked for a place to rest. Fuji, with its ultimate pride, said it did not need any help and refused. Tsukuba instead offered the deity refuge. The mountain was then blessed with beauty. It is believed this is why Tsukuba is covered in flora and Fuji is barren and cold.
Although, we visited in winter, so Tsukuba also seemed quite barren for us! It was still worth the journey however. The kids enjoyed the cable car ride up the mountain and there is also a ropeway on the opposite peak. If you’re feeling fit and adventurous, there is a trail all the way up.
Once at the summit, the view is incredible looking over the vast Kanto plain.
Also at the top, a delightful ramen restaurant is inside an observation building, perfect for a winter’s day and a great lunch with a view. Order your ramen at the ticket machine inside. The ground floor offers Tsukuba-themed souvenirs.
Attractions in Japan often have a unique ink stamp you can add to your own special travel stamp book. Bring a little book along for this purpose and carry it everywhere.
Hours: Cable car hours, 9:20am – 4:40pm
Admission: Cable car return trip, adults 1,070 yen, kids 540 yen
Address: 728 Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, 300-4352
Access:
- By car: The easiest way to get to Mount Tsukuba is by car. It will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes from Tokyo.
- By public transport: You can take a highway bus from Tokyo Station to the Tsukuba bus terminal. From there catch a shuttle to Tsukuba-san.
4. Tsukuba Wan Wan Land
This theme park dedicated to dogs is quite fun and it’s underneath Mount Tsukuba, so perfect for kids who have had their scenic fill for the day on the mountain. It’s also perfect for those who have fur babies and want to take them on an excursion!
At this park, you can bring your own dog to play with, or you can rent one to play with and walk for 20 minutes or more. Considering the many dogs in the park, it’s very clean.
Wan Wan
Instead of ‘bark bark’ or ‘woof woof’, dogs in Japan say ‘wan wan’.
Even if you don’t want to get up close with a furry canine, kids can also enjoy the playground equipment, (climbing in and out of huge dog statues and climbing frames), watch dog shows and admire the cutest little puppies. If you want to eat, they sell corndogs!
It’s a curious and fun way to end a trip to the famous Mount Tsukuba.
Hours: 10am-5pm daily (except Thursdays)
Admission: Adult, 1,500 yen; children 700 yen
Address: 579 Numata, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-4353
Access: Driving here is certainly the easiest and there is a large car park.
5. Kairakuen Park
Kairakuen Park is 300 hectares large and is located in Ibaraki’s capital Mito. It is one of Japan’s three great gardens. The park has over 3,000 plum trees in red, pink and white that bloom from February to March.
Kairakuen means ‘park to be enjoyed together’.
The park overlooks pretty Lake Senba complete with a spurting fountain for extra ambiance. There is also a bamboo grove, a cedar grove and a three-storey pavilion often used for tea ceremonies.
The garden is designated a National Historic site and also a place of National Scenic Beauty.
Hours: Feb-Sep, 6am-7pm and Oct-Feb, 7am-6pm
Admission: Adult 300 yen, children 150 yen
Address: 1-1251 Migawa, Mito
Access: The park is a 20-25 minute walk from Mito Station or a 15 min car ride from the station. From Tokyo it’s a 1 hour and 50 minute drive.
What is Ibaraki?
Ibaraki is a prefecture of Japan inside the Kanto region on the island of Honshu. A prefecture can be loosely described as being like a state in Australia or the US.
Ibaraki has a capital city called Mito. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures and each is unique for its cities, terrain, culture and food. Usually, prefectures in Japanese end with ‘ken’, for example, Ibaraki-ken.
What is Ibaraki famous for?
Ibaraki Prefecture is Japan’s number one producer of natto. It’s a stinky, sticky, contentious fermented soybean dish. Thumbs up to anyone who is willing to give this a try!
Ibaraki has one of Japan’s three great gardens at Kairakuen Park in Mito and houses Hitachi seaside park where many flock to see swathes of flowers in different seasons.
The prefecture also boasts great beauty, with around 15 per cent dedicated to national parks and a hefty percentage dedicated to agriculture, industry and technology. With its close proximity to Tokyo, many locals visit on weekends.
Where is Ibaraki?
Ibaraki is 6,097 square kilometres and is located on Japan’s main island Honshu, with a long coastline adjoining the Pacific Ocean. The prefecture’s capital city Mito is close to the prefecture’s centre and is surrounded by vast flat agricultural land, a beautiful mountain called Tsukuba and the Pacific Ocean.
How to get to Ibaraki from Tokyo
Driving to Ibaraki is quick and efficient and takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to Ibaraki’s capital Mito from Tokyo. Otherwise, take the JR Hitachi and Tokiwa line from Ueno Station and you will arrive in around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
For a comprehensive description covering all the options to travel to Mito from Tokyo check Japan-Guide.com
Where to stay in Ibaraki
Mito is a great, central location in Ibaraki for touring all the sights.
High-end accommodation: Mito Plaza Hotel is a beautiful hotel with fantastic food and customer service. It has a gorgeous indoor garden where their restaurant is located.
They do have some family rooms with four single beds, or suites with two singles and a sofa bed and also triples. It’s also located next to a McDonalds. This was handy when we forgot to request a Western breakfast ahead of time and we knew our kids weren’t going to eat the Japanese one.
Mid-level accommodation: Hotel AreaOne Tokai is clean and good value. It’s not fancy by any means, but it’s possible to book a quadruple room, perfect for families of four. The breakfast included was a small buffet style and had western options which filled up the kids.
Summary of our short trip from Tokyo – Ibaraki’s top 5 things to do
Ibaraki is within 1-2 hours’ distance from Tokyo making it a perfect short trip from the Capital.
Ibaraki suits all kinds of travellers. There’s something for families, couples, friend groups, solo travellers and pet family travellers!
Whether you drive in Japan, or take public transport, you can have a wonderful off-the-beaten-path trip in Ibaraki.
Food lovers can also taste the local delights. For adventurous eaters, there’s natto and whole Ayu sweetish on a stick, or for the kids, try flaky locally-made apple pie!
That’s our short trip from Tokyo – Ibaraki! Play, have fun and be curious.
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