- Attractions by Region -
Flower vistas, a sacred peak hike, and a stroll through a famed garden—nature and history distilled.
Hitachi Seaside Park
A photogenic park where baby-blue nemophila blanket Miharashi Hill in spring and crimson kochia paint it in autumn. An amusement area with roller coasters adds extra fun.
Mt. Tsukuba
A Hundred Famous Mountains peak with twin summits—Nantai and Nyotai. Panoramic Kanto Plain views from the top; cable car and ropeway make it beginner-friendly.
Kairakuen (Mito)
One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Early spring sees 3,000 plum trees in 100 varieties burst into bloom. From Kobuntei, savor the harmony of Lake Senba and the garden.
A vast national park where flowers bloom year-round.
A national park ablaze with seasonal blossoms
Sprawling Hitachi Seaside Park delights with flowers in every season. Spring starts with daffodils and tulips, then Miharashi Hill turns a dreamy light blue with nemophila.
Summer brings lively lavender and sunflowers coloring the fields. In autumn, roses and cosmos peak, and the kochia turn a spectacular crimson.
Even winter has charms—ice tulips and wintersweet brighten the colder months. With frequent flower events, there’s always something new to discover.
Cycling routes and the “Pleasure Garden” amusement area mean families can enjoy a full day here. The constantly changing scenery makes it a favorite among photographers.
A famed peak long revered—“Fuji in the west, Tsukuba in the east.”
A Kanto icon praised as “Fuji in the west, Tsukuba in the east”
At 877 m, Mt. Tsukuba’s graceful silhouette features twin summits—Nantai and Nyotai—and the mountain itself has been worshiped since ancient times. Tsukubasan Shrine at the foot draws visitors praying for good matches and family safety.
Despite its modest height, the summit offers sweeping views over the Kanto Plain—on clear days, you can glimpse Tokyo’s skyline and even Mt. Fuji.
Well-maintained trails make it approachable for beginners, and a cable car and ropeway offer easy access near the summit. Shops and an observation deck around the top station let casual visitors soak up the mountain vibe.
Seasonal charms abound—azaleas in spring, lush greens in summer, fiery foliage in autumn. Night events like the “Stardust Cruising” star-gazing program reveal a different face of the mountain.
A venerable shrine famed for the torii standing on rocks in the ocean.
An oceanfront torii that etches itself in memory
Said to have been founded in 806, Oarai Isosaki Shrine enshrines Onamuchi and Sukunahikona—deities of maritime safety and matchmaking.
Its highlight is the torii on the rocky “Kamiiso” shore. At sunrise, the sun ascends beyond the gate—a mystical scene that draws early visitors.
The grounds exude solemnity with a centuries-old sacred tree and historic buildings. Offerings linked to Tokugawa Mitsukuni (Mito Komon) remain, reflecting deep regional ties.
Nearby are sandy beaches and the renowned Aqua World aquarium—combine them for a day savoring both sea and culture.
One of Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls—majestic with four tiers.
Four seasons, four faces—Fukuroda Falls
Soaring 120 m high and 73 m wide, Fukuroda tumbles down a rock wall in four stages—hence “the falls of four times,” urging visits in all four seasons.
Spring sets white streams against fresh greens; summer swells the flow into roaring spray; autumn ignites the valley with crimson and gold; in harsh winter, the falls can freeze into a glittering ice curtain—sometimes illuminated at night.
Access is easy via a tunnel to the viewing platforms, where the towering cascade astounds up close. Nearby inns, hot springs, and local specialties—like Okukuji gamecock dishes and apple pie—round out a perfect excursion.
Dramatic coast with the vermilion hexagonal pavilion tied to Okakura Tenshin.
Seascapes that captivated artists
The Izura Coast unfurls cliffs, pines, and wild surf along the Pacific. Perched on a promontory is the vermilion hexagonal “Rokkakudo,” built in 1905 by thinker Okakura Tenshin as a tea hut and creative space. Swept away in the 2011 quake-tsunami, it was faithfully restored in 2012.
At sunrise or sunset, the pavilion seems to float against a gradated sky and sea—pure artistry. The Okakura Tenshin Memorial Museum nearby displays works tied to his circle. Explore tide pools, try fishing, or visit Futatsushima—nature and culture intertwine here.
A historic daimyo garden founded by Lord Tokugawa Nariaki—one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens.
A garden to be enjoyed “together with the people”
Opened in 1842 by the 9th Mito lord, Tokugawa Nariaki, Kairakuen’s name comes from Mencius—“enjoy together with the people”—rare among daimyo gardens for welcoming commoners.
About 3,000 plum trees in 100 varieties bloom from late February to March, drawing crowds to the Mito Plum Festival with their fragrance and color.
Thoughtful plantings provide year-round beauty—azaleas and satsuki in early summer, bush clover and maples in autumn, wintersweet in winter. From the three-story Kobuntei villa, gaze across the garden and Lake Senba.
Along with Kenrokuen and Korakuen, it’s designated a Special Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. Pair it with Lake Senba and the Tokugawa Museum for a full taste of Mito’s culture and nature.
One of Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines with a 1,300-year history.
Pray for prosperity at a top Inari shrine
Said to date to 651 CE, Kasama Inari is famed for blessings in bountiful harvests, business prosperity, and performing arts—along with Fushimi Inari and Toyokawa Inari.
New Year sees massive crowds; roughly 3.5 million visit annually. The grand red torii and historic halls impress, with guardian foxes welcoming worshippers.
The temple town offers “Kasama Inari-zushi,” creative inari sushi topped with local soba, mountain vegetables, and more. Browse Kasama ware galleries and sake like “Shoroku” for souvenirs.
As a pottery hub, Kasama pairs faith and craft—visit the Art Forest Park after your prayers for a cultured stroll.
Among the Kanto region’s oldest shrines, dedicated to Takemikazuchi.
A guardian of the realm with auspicious “new beginnings”
Tradition places its founding in 660 BCE. Enshrining Takemikazuchi—the god of martial arts—Kashima Jingu was revered by the imperial court as the protector of eastern Japan.
The phrase “Kashima-dachi” marks setting out, so many visit at New Year or life milestones. The vast forested grounds brim with purifying air.
Near the inner shrine lies Mitarashi Pond, fed by crystal springs, where people wash hands in prayer. The Treasure Hall preserves cultural artifacts like the 2.6-m great sword “Futsunomitama.”
A modern twist: a shrine-branded credit card funnels points into cultural preservation. Direct buses run from Tokyo Station in about two hours—history and vitality in one place.
A valley famed for a tunnel of autumn foliage around the suspension bridge.
A breathtaking tunnel of leaves
Carved by the Hananuki River, this valley mixes warm- and cold-climate flora, lush in spring and summer.
In autumn, maples blaze around the Shiomitaki Suspension Bridge, forming a canopy of color overhead. Fallen leaves carpet the stream and paths with poetic charm, and Shiomita Falls adds gentle music.
From the nearby dam viewpoint, you can even see the Pacific on clear days—mountains and sea in one panorama.
At 120 m tall, one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues.
Awe-inspiring scale inside and out
The standing Amitabha towers 120 m—once a Guinness record—visible from afar and overwhelming up close.
Inside, five levels are open: a luminous lotus hall on 1F, sutra copying on 2F, and 3F “Lotus World” with about 3,400 miniature Buddhas.
Elevators ascend to chest level with observation windows 85 m above ground—on clear days see Tokyo Skytree and even Mt. Fuji.
The surrounding Pure Land Garden blooms with seasonal flowers—cherry, poppy, lotus, cosmos, peony—and includes a small animal petting area. A religious site and popular leisure spot in one.
A beloved city lake beside Kairakuen with seasonal nature and waterfowl.
Waterfowl, seasons, and easy lakeside strolls
A roughly 3-km path rings the lake for jogs and cycles. Swans and ducks glide across the water; swan boats offer a lake-level view.
Cherry blossoms brighten spring; summer brings an expanse of lotus that open at dawn; autumn colors reflect on the surface; winter’s stillness soothes.
Nearby: the statue of Mito Komon, Tokugawa Museum, and art museums. Nature and culture blend into Mito’s essential landscape.
One of Edo Japan’s largest domain schools—Mito’s historic academy.
Where Mito nurtured talent in learning and arms
Founded in 1841 by Lord Tokugawa Nariaki, Kodokan educated retainers and their children in scholarship and martial arts.
Historic buildings like the Confucian shrine (Taiseiden), Lecture Hall, and Shizendo remain—designated a Special Historic Site. Post-quake restoration allows visitors to feel the atmosphere of learning.
Paired conceptually with Kairakuen, it reflects Nariaki’s ideal of balanced civil and military virtues and helped foster “Mito Learning.”
Plum trees bloom on the grounds in spring—scholarly serenity perfumed with blossoms.
A lively port-side market for fresh seafood and hearty bowls.
Morning-caught bounty and market buzz
Next to Nakaminato Port, stalls brim with fish and shellfish from local waters and beyond—hawkers’ spirited calls fill the air, and tastings are common. Tuna cutting shows are occasional highlights.
Eat your fill: seafood bowls piled high, or grill dried fish you just bought. Favorites include raw whitebait bowls and winter anglerfish hotpot.
Afterward, stroll the breakwater in the sea breeze, or hop the retro Minato Line to enjoy coastal views—a full dose of port-town charm.
Japan’s No.1 for shark species—get close to marine life at a major aquarium.
From sharks to ocean sunfish—diverse sea life up close
Facing the Pacific, Aqua World boasts Japan’s top variety of sharks and exhibits the world’s largest bony fish, the ocean sunfish.
Over 80 tanks include a massive “Ibaraki Sea” display with sardine schools, rays, and turtles. A tunnel tank sends fish gliding overhead.
The dolphin & sea lion show thrills families, while touch pools let you (gently!) feel starfish and baby sharks.
Special exhibitions and behind-the-scenes tours (reservation) keep repeat visits fresh. Dine with an ocean view—ideal for dates and family trips alike.
An ancient forest shrine revered as a powerful spiritual spot.
Home to 188 enshrined deities—deep serenity in towering trees
Nestled in Hitachi’s mountains, Oiwa Shrine venerates 188 deities at the rare “Oiwazan Okami” altar. A long-standing sacred site of mountain worship, it’s now famed for palpable spiritual energy.
Old-growth giants hush the precincts; the 500-year-old triple-trunk sacred cedar awes with its soaring form—stand at its roots to feel grounded strength.
Astronauts have reportedly prayed here for mission safety, lending it an air of earth-sky connection. Trails to the inner sanctuary traverse springs and small shrines with echoes of ascetic practice.
Cleanse body and mind in nature’s quiet—parking at the base makes access easy.
A comprehensive park with zoo and small amusement park—also a cherry-blossom hotspot.
Family fun with views of city and sea
Set on a hill overlooking town, the park includes Kamine Zoo and a small amusement park. Kids love feeding elephants and giraffes—up-close thrills rarely possible elsewhere.
In spring, roughly 1,000 cherry trees paint the park pink; night illumination creates magical evenings with ocean and city vistas.
Benches catch sea breezes, while the Ferris wheel delivers panoramas—a beloved local retreat.
A 375-m pedestrian bridge over Ryujin Gorge—views and thrills.
100-meter drop, four-season views—and a legendary bungee
Spanning 375 m, the bridge towers about 100 m above the gorge at midspan. Look down to the Ryujin River threading verdant slopes.
Carp streamers fill the sky for Children’s Day, summers are deep-green and bright, autumn blazes with color—nature’s tapestry below.
Adrenaline seekers can try one of Japan’s highest bungee jumps (about 100 m). Surrounding roadsides and viewpoints make it a perfect drive stop.
A “rear-view” waterfall you can step behind—small yet enchanting.
Legend says: wait for the moon behind the falls
About 17 m tall, Tsukimachi is famed for a path behind its thin water curtain—giving it the “rear-view” nickname. Lore tells of waiting there to watch the moon rise.
In summer, cool ions refresh as light filters through the veil; in winter, partial icing creates shimmering icicles.
A nearby teahouse serves hand-made soba with waterfall views—rustic serenity in satoyama countryside.
8,500 azalea bushes color the slopes—a springtime spectacle.
Slopes carpeted in azaleas—festival, food stalls, and night lights
Over ~7 ha, 8,500 azaleas bloom mid-April to early May during the festival. Paths weave through tunnels of flowers—photographers’ paradise.
From the hilltop, gaze over Kasama city framed by vivid blossoms and blue sky. Food stalls and evening illumination add festive flair.
Japan’s second-largest lake—classic white-sailed scenes at sunset.
White sails and waterway heritage
Vast Kasumigaura once thrived on fishing and transport through its waterways. The emblematic hobikibune (trawl nets driven by wind) now glide for tourism on weekends from early summer to autumn—their white sails dotting blue water.
See it by sightseeing boat, with Mt. Tsukuba and rural shorelines passing by, or cycle the lakeside “Rinrin Road.”
Sample smelt and river shrimp—great as tsukudani or tempura. Sunset cruises and winter swans add seasonal magic.
Peek into Japan’s space program at JAXA’s core facility.
Rockets, satellites, and a full-scale “Kibo”
In Tsukuba Science City, JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center greets visitors with a full-scale H-II rocket.
The “Space Dome” exhibits real satellites and engines, plus a life-size model of the ISS Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” A million-to-one Earth model welcomes you inside.
Guided tours (reservation) may include control rooms and testing facilities—rare behind-the-scenes experiences. The shop sells space food and JAXA goods for fun souvenirs.
500 varieties and a million blooms—water-town elegance in early summer.
Iris seas, bridal boat, and night lights
During late May–late June, the Iris Festival blankets waterways with purple and white. Paths and bridges thread the fields for close-up viewing.
The “Yomeiri-bune” bridal boat glides through in white kimono—scenes steeped in the area’s waterway heritage. Folk music and dance enliven the grounds, and evening illumination lends an ethereal glow.
Sightseeing boats cruise nearby canals lined with willows—Itako’s water-town history flows by.
Historic winery site—Japan’s first full-scale winery founded in Meiji era.
Brick-red romance and the dawn of Japanese wine
Opened in 1903 by Denbee Kamiya, the Ushiku brewery pioneered Japanese wine. The French-style red-brick buildings are Important Cultural Properties.
Preserved cellars and equipment tell the story; the museum displays tools and Kamiya’s legacy.
Gardens bloom across the spacious grounds; restaurants and cafés pour local wine and craft beer. In rose season, the villa feels straight out of Europe.
Revitalized as a public venue with festivals, it’s now a cherished community hub.
Two rocky islets near shore—a beloved sunrise photo spot.
A coastal symbol shaped by tides and time
Named for its pair of rocks, Futatsushima has long symbolized Kitaibaraki. A small shrine sits atop the larger rock; aging structures like the torii were removed for safety. Pines sprout from the rocks like an ink painting.
At dawn, the rising sun threads between silhouettes—tripods line the shore for that sacred moment. Paths along the coast invite salty, scenic strolls; nearby beaches bustle in summer.
Bando Pilgrimage No.24—renowned for safe childbirth, child-rearing, and seasonal flowers.
Blooming temple on a hill—peacocks and prayers
Said to date to the late 6th century, Amabiki Kannon crowns a hill with views toward Mt. Tsukuba and Sakuragawa.
Cherry and peony in spring; roughly 5,000 hydrangeas color the rainy season; autumn sets the temple aglow with foliage.
Free-roaming peacocks surprise visitors—if lucky, you’ll see a full fan of feathers.
Families come year-round for prayers of safe delivery and child-rearing. A unique “womb-passing” charm by the pond symbolizes wishes for maternal and child health—serene nature, living tradition.