|
Spacious land
containing the second largest lake in Japan and a plenty of ponds and
rivers
Ibaraki is located in the center of the Honshu (the main land of
Japan) and about 40 km away from Tokyo. Facing the Pacific Ocean on
the east, Ibaraki is divided into three parts - the mountainous area
in the north, the center-to-south stretch of the Kanto plains and the
area containing the Tone-gawa River its tributary streams. North of
the prefecture is a region of travel lure having, for example, the
Fukuroda-no-taki Falls that is one of the three renowned waterfalls in
Japan. The seasonally changing Mt.Tsukuba-san stands in the heart of
the prefecture dominating the Kanto plains. At its foot spreads
Tsukuba Kenkyu Gakuen Toshi, a town made up chiefly of the Tsukuba
University and various government-owned and private research
institutions.
In the Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan, you can have a
good time cruising in a pleasure boat and fishing bass. Itako is a
riverside district of the Tone-gawa River, where you can enjoy a
waterway excursion on a flat-bottom boat propelled by a jolly woman
sculler. Especially, early summer makes the waterway flowery with
sweetflags in full bloom on both sides, attracting many tourists. The
Kairaku-en in Mito, built in the 19th century by Tokugawa Nariaki, the
then lord of the Mito clan, is one of three renowned gardens in Japan
along with Kenroku-en in Ishikawa and Koraku-en in Okayama. It is
thronged with plum trees and hagi (Japanese bush clover) flower
viewers when the flowers are in boom. In Kasama, which is a town of
pottery, you can try out a potter's work on your own.
Getting there
It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo Station
by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and 7 minutes from Tokyo Station to
Ueno Station. It is 1 hour and 5 minutes ride from Ueno Station to
Mito Station by JR Jyoban Line Limited Express.
-
Mito
Remnant of a former castle town - Gorgeous festivals are also
impressive
Mito City, lying in the central part of Ibaraki, has developed
as the commercial, economical and cultural center of the prefecture.
The area on the north side of the station retains the appearance of
the olden days. The feudal era network of streets is studded with
various historical sites, such as the Kodokan School, founded by the
ruling clan in the Edo Period, and the ruins of Mito Castle.
The newly developed area to the south of the station has quite a few
elegant shops and restaurants. This area also enjoys abundant
nature, including Lake Senba-ko and the Sakura-gawa River, lined
with beautiful cherry trees. Kairakuen Park is known as one of the
three great parks of Japan. With more than 3,000 plum trees of 100
varieties and other seasonal plants including rape blossoms and
cosmos, it is a place of relaxation for local people of all
generations, from young couples to families. One can freely enjoy
all sorts of fine arts at the Ibaraki Museum of Modern Art, Mito
Geijutsu-kan(Art Tower Mito) and the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of
History.
Mito Han Jidai-matsuri Festival, held annually in autumn and
highlighted by the historical parade, and Mito Komon-matsuri
Festival, held in summer, are also sightseeing musts, as well as
other seasonal festivals such as Sakura(cherry blossom)-matsuri
Festival, Tsutsuji(azalea)-matsuri Festival,
Ajisai(hydrangea)-matsuri Festival, Hagi(Japanese bush clover)-matsuri
Festival and Kiku(chrysanthemum)-matsuri Festival.
Getting there
By JR Jyoban Line Limited Express, 65 minutes, from Ueno Station
to Mito Station. From Shin-Osaka Station, 3 hours 10 minutes, via
Tokyo Station.
-
Mt. Tsukuba-san
Mt. Tsukuba-san commanding the Kanto Plain - The shrine for business
thriving, talismans, and matchmaking
Mt. Tsukuba-san, situated in about the center of Ibaraki,
consists of two peaks, Mt. Nyotai-san and Mt. Nantai-san, 876 meters
and 870 meters above the sea level each, between which there is a
view spot called Miyukigahara, from which you can get a fine view of
the Kanto Plain. Tsukuba-san Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in
this country, and its name appears in the poems written in the 8th
and 10th centuries. The shrine makes Mt. Tsukuba-san the object of
worship, and its hall of worship on the mountainside is visited by
lots of tourists. The shrine is also known as the god of business
thriving, talismans, and matchmaking. A festival called Ozagawarisai
is held there as an annual event in spring and autumn every year.
The most popular path to the mountaintop is a hiking trail starting
from Tsutsujigaoka at the east foot of the mountain. It goes through
Benkei-Nanamodori (Benkei returning seven times), where Benkei the
warrior priest, most notorious for his boldness, is said to have
been so afraid that he hesitated to try seven times to get to the
mountaintop. There is a series of strange rocks and bizarre stones
including Defune-Irifune (leaving and arriving of ships) Stones,
named after their appearance of the two wide, plate-like stones
standing just like ships are leaving and arriving at a port, which
represents peculiar features of Mt. Tsukuba-san. On the other hand,
the Tsukuba-san Cable Car, connecting Tsukuba-san Shrine and the top
of Mt. Nantai-san, commanding flowering plants of the season and
huge rocks is worth seeing. While the Tsukuba-san Ropeway from
Tsutsujigaoka to the top of Mt. Nyotai-san also commands a splendid
view, and provides a wonderful ride on the weekend evening for
tourists to enjoy a night scene below.
Getting there
Tsuchiura is 50 minutes from Ueno Station by the JR Jyoban Line
limited express. Then take a bus from Tsuchiura Station to Tsukuba,
where changing buses, and take another to Tsukuba-san Shrine, which
takes 1 hour in total. Tokyo Station is 2 hours 30 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Ueno is 7
minutes from Tokyo Station by the JR Yamanote Line.
-
Oku-Kuji
Fukuroda-no-taki Falls that reflects the seasonal beauties in the
scenery
Oku-Kuji is located in the northernmost part of Ibaraki. It is
an area, which is in deep in Mt.Yamizo-san, the highest peak in the
prefecture, where Kuji-gawa River flows from south to north. The 40
km of Kuji-gawa River starting at the border of Fukushima and
Ibaraki through Daigo Basin to Yamagata Town, is full of
steep-walled valleys and fast-flowing streams. There are camping
sites and hiking courses available in the surrounding area. It is
also famous for fishing points and fish weirs where fishes come and
swarm in gathered flows and trapped.
Fukuroda-no-taki Falls, said to be one of the most famous falls in
Japan is 120 m high and 73 m wide and falls stopping at four
different levels on the way down. The falls also is called
"four-time falls" as it reflects four seasonal beauties such as
fresh spring green, red leaves of autumn or icefall in winter. There
are plenty hot springs in the surrounding areas. The hot springs
such as Daigo, Fukuroda and Tsukiore are scattered in the area.
There is also "Kurhaus Forespa Daigo" where you can indulge yourself
in fourteen different kinds of spas such as herbal spa or Jacuzzi
with swimsuit on is also a tempting option.
Getting there
By Limited Express on JR Joban Line for 1 hour and 5 minutes
from Ueno Station to Mito Station. By JR Suigun Line for 1 hour and
20 minutes from Mito Station to Fukuroda Station. An hour and 25
minutes from Mito Station to Hitachi-Daigo Station.
-
Oarai
A shallow beach surrounded by reefs - The beach resort for
swimming and watching dolphin show
Oarai Town is situated in the east of Ibaraki. The seashores
facing the Pacific Ocean, Lake Hinuma located on the back of the
town, and areas along the Hinuma River form popular resort areas,
belonging to Oarai Prefectural Park. The white-crested waves
breaking against the conglomerate rocks on Oarai Promontory are very
dynamic, from which the sandy beach stretches southward. This beach
is known as one of the pleasantest sea bathing resorts in Kanto
region.
With golf courses, campsites, and yacht basins spotted along the
seaside, both Oarai Beach, surrounded by reefs, and Oarai Sun Beach,
boasting its shallow beach, are crowded with lots of swimmers in the
mid summer. The surfing race and beach volleyball games are often
held. The high-speed pleasure boat for watching dolphins is
available from Oarai Harbor, and you can enjoy a wonderful cruise.
In Oarai Aquarium, they keep 15,000 aquatic animals consisting of
about 350 different species, and you can enjoy watching shows by sea
lions and dolphins, and also watching a "feeding " show. In the
Oarai Marine Tower, as tall as 60 meters, you can enjoy your meals
while enjoying a splendid view at the restaurant 50 meters above the
ground. On a hill commanding a fine view of Oarai Promontory,
surrounded by Japanese black pines and chinquapin trees, there
stands Oarai Isosaki Shrine. This shrine is known as a guardian
deity of safe voyages. In the precincts of the shrine, Oarai Sea
Museum stands which was built in commemoration of the 1100th
anniversary of the shrine founding.
Getting there
Mito Station is 1 hour 5 minutes from Ueno Station by the JR
Jyoban Line. Then take the Kashima Rinkai Railway from Mito Station
to Oarai, which takes 15 minutes. From Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo
Station, it takes 2 hours 30 minutes by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Line. Then take the JR Yamanote Line from Tokyo Station to Ueno
Station, which takes 7 minutes.
-
Suigo (Itako and
Kashima)
Town with waterways surrounded by a river and a lake - Enjoy the
Festival while on board a Sappa-bune boat
Itako is located in the southeastern part of Ibaraki, surrounded
by Hitachi-Tone-gawa river and Lake Kitaura. It is a watertown where
narrow waterways run everywhere, and the town forms a part of the
Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National park. There is a half-hour sightseeing
tour by small Sappa-bune boat which is steered by boatwoman dressed
in Monpe with splashed patterns (a type of Japanese working clothes
similar to a pair of trousers) and the hat woven with sedge leaves.
The tour of the 12 bridges by Sappa-bune boat called 'Maekawa-junikyo
Meguri' is also popular among tourists.
Five hundred kinds of irises called Ayame and Hanashobu, that are
one million in number, are in bloom in early summer in Itako and you
can enjoy the Itako Ayame-matsuri Festival while on board a
Sappa-bune boat. Located to the slightly east of Itako, Kashima City
faces the Kashima Sea to the east and the Lake Kitaura to the
northwest. Kashima developed from old times as a relay point of the
sea routes that have been used to voyage the Pacific Ocean. Kashima-jingu
Shrine is located at the center of the city and you can enjoy the
sight of the fine Ro-mon gate (a two-storied gate), Hai-den or the
front shrine and Hon-den or the main shrine that are designated as
important cultural properties, and also the treasury, the Homotsu-den.
Also in Kashima, as the site for the 2002 Soccer World Cup, the
preparation is in process.
Getting there
By JR Sobu Kashima Limited Express for 1 hour and 50 minutes
from Tokyo Station to Itako Station, for 2 hours from Tokyo Station
to Kashima Jingu Station.
|
Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
