Mito / Oarai / Hitachinaka

Top Things to do

• Hitachi Seaside Park

  4.5

  1216 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Hitachinakashi Mawatari Onuma 605-4

  A national park located in Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture. The spacious grounds, totaling some 200 hectares, are filled with huge flower gardens. The nemophila in summer and bassia in autumn are particularly attractive seasonal plants. When in bloom, the park’s 4.5 million blue nemophila seem to bleed into the sky, creating a stunning sight. The fluffy bassia in autumn turning the area scarlet. The park also has a cycling course and barbecue area, making a perfect place for the whole family to enjoy an entire day together.

• Oarai Isosaki Jinja

  4.0

  226 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunoaraimachi Isohamachou 6890

  The Oarai Isosaki Jinja is a shrine in Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture, that venerates Ohonamuchi-no-mikoto and Sukunahikona-no-mikoto. The worship hall for the presiding god—a protector of domestic safety and safe naval passage—demonstrates the architectural style of early Edo period, and has been designated a prefectural cultural property. Also, the Kamiiso torii gate praised by Mitsukuni Tokugawa is first among big torii in the Kanto region, and is set on rocks in the sea, for a great view during sunrise and sunset. Shrine worship deals with the ocean, so the Oarai Sea Museum is located nearby.

• Kasama Inari Jinja

  4.0

  143 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Kasamashi Kasama 1

  Located in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this shrine has long been the object of adoration for the god of rich harvest and mercantile success. Considered to be one of Japan’s Top Three Inari Shrines, it hosts 3.5 million visitors every year, and is one of the prefecture’s best spots for New Year’s worship. A number of religious ceremonies like yabusame and bugaku are performed during the “Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival” held in autumn.

• Mentai Park Oarai

  4.0

  94 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunoaraimachi Isohamachou 8255-3

  Located in Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture, this is a theme park focusing on mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) and run by Kanefuku Co.—a well-established mentaiko shop. The interior includes a mentaiko plant that you can observe through glass, and a wholesaler where you can buy mentaiko directly. A great place for kids and adults to spend the day with mentaiko. The food corner has popular eats like “mentaiko onigiri” and “mentaiko ice cream.”

• Aqua World-Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

  Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunoaraimachi Isohamachou 8252-3

  This aquarium is located along the coast of Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is among the largest in the country. Sea mammals and oceanic/freshwater fish from around the world and Oarai Sea are kept here. Exhibits are divided into nine zones, like “The Encounter Sea” and “Seas of the World.” You can watch a variety of living creatures, like popular penguins and sunfish, or see the impressive shark tank. The dolphin and sea lion shows are particularly lively and popular.

• Kobuntei

  4.5

  160 Reviews

  Ibaraki Mito-shi Tokiwacho 1-3-3

  A structure in Kairakuen, located on the grounds of Tokiwa-jinja Shrine in front of Kairakuen Station in Tokiwa-cho 1-Chome, Mito City. Said to have been designed by Tokugawa Nariaki, the 9th feudal lord of the Mito domain, it consists of a two-layered three-story wooden main building and a wooden single-story annex. The current building was restored after being destroyed by air raids during World War II. Open to the public, you can enter for a fee and enjoy the view from the third floor Rakujuro as well as the fusuma-e paintings on the sliding doors. A formal tea gathering is held once a month.

• Art Tower Mito

  4.0

  102 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Gokenchou 1-6-8

  The Art Tower Mito is a joint art facility located about 10 minutes by car from Mito Station. It has an art museum with mainly modern art exhibits, a concert hall complete with pipe organ, and a stage for musicals and traditional arts like rakugo. Uniquely composed of equilateral triangular panels, the Symbol Tower features a lookout deck with a view of Mito City and vicinity. You can get a tour of the interior (includes the tower) even as an individual.

• Sakatsura Isosaki-jinja Shrine

  4.0

  73 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Hitachinakashi Isozakichou 4607-2

  This Shinto shrine is on Prefectural Route 6 in Isozakicho, Hitachinaka City. Founded in 856, it honors the deities Onamuchi-no-Mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto. It was moved to its present location on the order of Tokugawa Mitsukuni in 1702. The precincts have stone statues of turtles dedicated by big lottery winners, and many come to pray for luck with hitting the lottery. The grounds also have a large woodland area that will give you a look at the special qualities of coastal forests.

• Nakaminato Osakana Ichiba

  Ibaraki Pref. Hitachinakashi Minatohonchou 19-8

  Nakaminato Osakana Ichiba, located in about 10 minutes’ walk from Nakaminato Station, is a fish market. There are seafood product shops which sell fresh fish landed at the fishing harbor in Nakaminato, processed food and dried seafood such as mirinboshi (seasoned dried fish) and restaurants where you can enjoy a seafood rice bowl and a monkfish hot pot in winter only. A list of seasonal fish in Nakaminato is shown on the website so you can find out in advance when your favorite fish is available.