Kasumigaura / Tsuchiura / Kashima

Top Things to do

• Ami Premium Outlets

  4-1-1 Yoshimi Ami-machi, Inagi-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture

  This outlet mall that opened in 2009 is right off the Ken-O Expressway Ami-Higashi Interchange. Capturing the style of the American West-Coast here you’ll find almost 150 different shops made up of popular foreign brands, casual brands, lifestyle shops, and restaurants. The wide aisles throughout the mall make it easy to traverse for those with strollers or wheelchairs. A kid’s room and nursing room are also available on site.

• Kashima-jingu Shrine

  4.5

  279 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Kashimashi Kyuchu 2306-1

  An ancient Shinto shrine located in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture said to have been founded in 660 BCE. The oldest shrine in the Kanto area, it is also the head shrine of all 600 or so Kashima shrines nationwide. The spacious grounds, equivalent to 15 Tokyo Domes, are dotted with highlights such as the main shrine building, a two tier shrine gate considered one of the three most beautiful in Japan, the mystical Sazareishi stone, and a treasure house containing a straight sword designated a National Treasure. The shrine is famous for its aquatic boat festival held once every twelve years in the Year of the Horse.

• Kashima Soccer Stadium

  4.0

  19 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Kashimashi Jinkouji Goyama 26-2

  This soccer stadium is located a two-minute walk from Kashima Soccer Stadium Station on the Oarai Kashima Line. Built in 1993 as Japan's first fully-fledged dedicated soccer stadium, the facility is used as the home stadium of the J1 League Kashima Antlers. Sprinklers, underground heating, and other methods are used to maintain the condition of the stadium's natural grass field, and, during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the stadium's characteristics were utilized for world-class play.

• Comorebi Ibaraido Forest

  3.0

  23 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Inashikishi Kamikimiyama 2060-1

  Located in natural environs in Inashiki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this interactive theme park is popular with families. This park is filled with outdoor activities for children including a field athletic course suspended through the trees, and a small animal petting zoo. Families can try their hand at cooking and craft making, from any of the extensive workshops. On site is a restaurant, a hall, and barbecue facilities where homemade sausage, and the park’s original pizza can be enjoyed.

• montblanc

  Ibaraki Pref. Kashimashi Hirai 1051-1

  A Western confectionary shop easily identifiable by its white, Western-style building and cute triangular roof. The shop is situated along Prefectural Route 255 not far from Hirai Beach. The shop's signature item is obvious from the shop's name-Mont Blanc. The shop's roll cakes, choux cremes, and other baked sweets are also very popular. In addition, because of its location in the city home to the Kashima Antlers J1 League team, the shop sells a soccer ball-shaped cake perfect for giving as a present or for taking a picture to upload to an SNS. The shop has a restaurant which serves pastas, curry, and stewed Western-style dishes for lunch at reasonable prices.

• Kasumigaura Aquarium

  3.5

  18 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Kasumigaurashi Saka 910-1

  An aquarium facing the north side of Lake Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan. The aquarium displays freshwater fish from Kasumigaura, over 1,000 saltwater fish spanning 130 species from around the world, and reptiles. The aquarium's diverse facilities include a panoramic tank where visitors can watch char and Japanese huchen swimming, and round tanks which make it possible to view the occupants from 360 degrees. The aquarium is designed to teach visitors who walk through it about the ecosystem of Kasumigaura. The aquarium also holds events like giving visitors the chance to feed tortoises. The aquarium is perfect for families with children as well.

• Tsukamoto Sobaten

  4.0

  3 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Itakoshi Itako 189

  A long-standing Hitachi Aki soba noodle restaurant which has been in operation since the end of the Edo period. The restaurant is situated along Prefectural Route 5 between JR Itako Station and Inariyama Park. The restaurant's vaunted juwari soba noodles are made with only 100% buckwheat flour. The restaurant's soba is also notable for its strongly seasoned broth. Plus, the restaurant makes use of ultra-soft water specially ordered from Portugal to make its soba. Together, these measures maximize the unique flavor of the noodles. In addition to soba, the restaurant also offers curry, sashimi, and tempura specials. The menu also includes an abundant selection of local liquors and a la carte dishes, and this establishment is popular with locals, as well.

• Lacus Marina Excursion Ship White Iris

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsuchiurashi Kawaguchi 2-13-6

  A Lake Kasumigaura sightseeing boat. The boat dock is located a 10-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station. Operating out of the Port of Tsuchiura year-round, the boat jets across the surface of Lake Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan. With a capacity of 86 people, the boat can also accommodate large groups. From fall to spring, the boat is followed by flocks of gulls, while in winter the boat has toasty kotatsu heated table seating. Tour-goers can enjoy views of the Mt. Tsukuba and Abukuma Mountain Range and, on clear days, see all the way to Mt. Fuji. Tours take from 30 to 40 minutes, and during which time tour-goers will be exposed to the vast natural beauty of Lake Kasumigaura.

• Aiyu Shuzo

  Ibaraki Pref. Itakoshi Tsuji 205

  A historic sake brewery established in 1804 located a five-minute drive from the Itako interchange on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway. Located near a river where traditional yomeiribune (bridal boats) can still be seen plying the waters, the brewery makes local sakes utilizing excellent water, excellent rice, and the refined skills of its chief brewer which have received high praise not only in Japan but around the world. The brewery actively participates in competitions and seeks to continually improve the quality of its products. The brewery also offers 30 to 40-minute long tours which give participants access to rarely seen aspects of the sake brewing process. The brewery also offers sake tasting and has a direct sales shop and welcomes visitors.