What is Ibaragi Prefecture?

Ibaraki Prefecture, part of the Kanto region, is a charming area where abundant nature and deep history seamlessly blend. This region has been blessed with prosperous agriculture and marine resources since ancient times and flourished with significant shrines such as Kashima Shrine and Kasama Inari during the medieval period. These historical footprints continue to live in Ibaraki's local cultural heritages such as festivals and Kashima Shrine today.

The beauty of Ibaraki, changing with each season, draws in visitors with its colorful landscapes. In particular, the spectacular sceneries created by the great nature like Lake Kasumigaura and Mount Tsukuba, and beautiful gardens like Mito's Kairakuen, which is also a World Heritage Site, highlight its visual appeal to the fullest. Its beauty changes throughout the seasons, showing new faces every time you visit: cherry blossoms in spring, verdant greens in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowscapes in winter.

Moreover, Ibaraki is known for its delicious local specialties grown in the area, such as Hitachi beef and pears from Ibaraki.

Three Selected Tourist Destinations in Ibaragi Prefecture

1. Hitachi Seaside Park

● Attractions

Hitachi Seaside Park, located in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its seasonal flowers. The park's most notable attractions include daffodils and tulips in April, nemophila in May, and kochia (summer cypress) in October. The changing landscapes, such as Miharashi Hill, spring nemophila, and autumn kochia and cosmos, offer new discoveries with each visit.

The park, divided into seven areas, features various attractions, cycling courses, and the "Seaside Train" shuttle bus, making it a perfect destination for families and friends.

● History

The area, initially constructed in 1938 as the Mito Army Flight School and Mito Airfield, was used as the Mito bombing range by the U.S. Army after World War II. Returned to the Japanese government in 1973, it was developed as part of the capital region development plan. The park opened approximately 70 hectares in 1991, following its inception in 1979 and commencement of construction in 1984, and has since expanded.。

● Access

• Train: About 85 minutes from Shinagawa Station on the JR Joban Line express to Katsuta Station; about 60 minutes from Iwaki.
• Bus: About 15 minutes to the park's west gate and 20 minutes to the south gate from Katsuta Station east exit No. 2. About 30 minutes from Tokai Station east exit No. 1.
• Bicycle Rental: About 6 km (30 minutes) from Omachi Parking TAMARIBA to the park's west gate.
• Taxi: About 15 minutes from Katsuta Station east exit taxi stand.
• Address: 605-4 Onuma, Ajigaura, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, 312-0012, Japan
• Google Maps Link: Hitachi Seaside Park

2. Ushiku Daibutsu (Ushiku Buddha)

● Attractions

Ushiku Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, stands at 120 meters tall and weighs 4,000 tons, offering visitors an overwhelming presence. Inside, the five-story structure includes the "World of Light" on the first floor and a sutra-copying experience on the second. Visitors are also drawn to the "Lotus Storage World" on the third floor, surrounded by about 3,400 gilded Buddhas.

The Buddha is adorned with seasonal flowers at its base, with cherry blossoms and poppies in spring and cosmos in autumn. The "Fureai Garden Terrace" offers rest and interaction with small animals, and children particularly enjoy the "Monkey Stage." Throughout the year, various events are held, including a New Year's light-up and fireworks display, Golden Week stalls, and the Bon Festival's "Manto-e" (lantern ceremony).​​

● History

Registered in 1995 as the world's tallest bronze standing statue in the Guinness World Records, Ushiku Daibutsu was built as an embodiment of Amitabha Buddha. Its height of 120 meters represents the twelve rays of light of Amitabha Buddha. The statue's interior showcases the panels detailing its construction and a model of the Buddha's thumb, allowing visitors to fully appreciate its grand scale.

● Access

• Address: 2083 Kunocho, Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 300-1288, Japan
• Train and Bus: From the east exit of JR Joban Line's Ushiku Station, take the Kantetsu bus to "Ushiku Daibutsu."
• Car: About 3 minutes from the Ami Higashi Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway.
• Google Maps Link: Ushiku Daibutsu