Prefecture guide
Ibaraki
茨城県
A coastal prefecture north-east of Tokyo, known for the seasonal flower hills of Hitachi Seaside Park and the plum garden of Kairakuen in Mito.
- places to see
- 26
- town guide
- 1
- protected local foods
- 5
- traditional crafts
- 5
- Japan Heritage stories
- 4
Map of Ibaraki
Tap a pin to see the place, or a town name for its guide. You can switch on places to eat and stay too.
Places to see in Ibaraki
Kamitakatsu Shell Mound
上高津貝塚A historic site in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Daiho-hachimangu
大宝八幡宮A Shinto shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Jugoro Cave Tombs
十五郎穴A natural sight in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Ogushi Shell Mound
大串貝塚A historic site in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
- Tsukuba
Oda Castle
小田城A castle in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Hitachi Kokubun-ji Temple
常陸国分寺A Buddhist temple in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Hitachi Sosha-gu Shrine
常陸國總社宮A Shinto shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Hitachi City Museum
日立市郷土博物館A museum in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Torazuka Kofun
虎塚古墳An ancient burial mound in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Jiji Sugi of Arakawa
安良川の爺スギA notable old tree in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Oarai Museum of Bakumatsu-Meiji History
幕末と明治の博物館A museum in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Seal Engraving Art Museum
篆刻美術館A museum in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Town guides in Ibaraki
The towns with the most to see, each with its own guide.
Taste of Ibaraki
Foods whose names are protected in Japan. If the label carries the name, it really comes from here.
Traditional crafts of Ibaraki
Officially recognised crafts that are still made by hand. A good place to start when you look for souvenirs.
This week's weather (nearest forecast: Utsunomiya)
Today
24 Oct
Cloudy
High 17°CLow 13°C
Sun
25 Oct
Cloudy
High 21°CLow 16°C
Rain 70%
Mon
26 Oct
Cloudy
High 21°CLow 15°C
Rain 70%
Tue
27 Oct
Cloudy
High 19°CLow 13°C
Rain 60%
Mild: long sleeves or a light cardigan. Bring a thin jacket for the evening.
Explore by interest
Japan Heritage stories
Local history told as a route you can follow, with the places that go with it.
Good to know
- Hitachi Seaside Park is famous for blue nemophila in late April to early May and red kochia in October.
- Kairakuen in Mito is one of Japan's three great gardens, with plum blossoms from February.
- Fukuroda Falls can freeze in very cold winters.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get to Ibaraki from Tokyo?
Take the JR Joban Line from Ueno: the Hitachi limited express runs to Mito. For Tsukuba, take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara. From Narita Airport, the JR Narita Line reaches the main stations in southern Ibaraki. Ibaraki Airport near Mito has domestic flights and a few routes to Taipei and China.
When is the best time to visit Ibaraki?
Spring and autumn. Hitachi Seaside Park is carpeted with flowers in spring, and its kochia bushes turn deep red in autumn, when Okukuji Park's gorge is also at its most colorful. Late winter brings the Mito Plum Festival.
What should I eat in Ibaraki?
Try anko nabe, a monkfish hot pot that is a winter favorite on the coast, and natto from Mito, the fermented soybeans the city is known for across Japan. Hitachi beef, from Japanese black cattle, is the local premium wagyu.
More of Kanto
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.