Ibaraki
Discover Ibaraki
Ibaraki is yearly ranked among Japanese nationals polled as the least attractive prefecture for tourism. Of course, there are fewer locations to "get away from it all" like would be possible in Okinawa, and fewer picturesque scenes of historical sites such as in Kyoto. However, there is a lot to offer visitors, domestic or foreign, who may have specific interest in the prefecture's strong points. Especially for people who are used to the heavy urbanization of the Tokyo area, the sports, nature, and shopping available in Ibaraki might be well worth the day trip for residents or tourists alike. Like almost all parts of Japan, Ibaraki has unique linguistic quirks, especially amongst older people, but standard Japanese as spoken in Tokyo is the norm. Tsukuba has strong international connections and Mito is the prefecture hub, and so English speakers may find some support in these cities. Otherwise, English assistance in Ibaraki should be expected to be no better than what may be available in more rural parts of the country.
What to Experience in Ibaraki
Famous Beaches
Taste of Ibaraki...
Ibaraki is a major producer of natto (fermented beans). It is healthy and the locals eat it often for breakfast on rice. Many foreigners (and Japanese) find it too stinky to eat, though some quite like it. Asking your opinion of natto is a common topic of small talk with strangers — don't be afraid of offending someone if you don't like it, as it will likely earn a laugh either way. It is often the first thing asked after someone, Japanese or foreign, mentions being in Mito or Ibaraki. Ibaraki is famous in Japan for its chestnuts and melons. Tsukuba, due to its position as an international education and research hub for technology and space exploration, has among the highest percentage of foreign residents in the country. As a result, it is possible to find good restaurants of many styles, including Mexican, Iranian, and African cuisine. Most towns have their share of chain and family owned Izakaya; Hitachinaka City is famous for its microbrewed Nest Beer.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAn easy and cheap way to get to the sights of Ibaraki is via the JR Kanto Highway bus. A number of buses leave from both Tokyo and Shinjuku Stations to many destinations in Ibaraki, some as often as 4 times per hour. While bus access to Ibaraki is convenient, often faster, cheaper, and easier than by train, bus transit within cities in Ibaraki is not close to as developed as in more major urban areas. The most major bus line operating between and within cities in Ibaraki uses its own "Ibappi" prepaid card that is not compatible with the nationwide rechargeable prepaid cards used for transportation on major train and bus lines. Cash should be prepared for bus use unless planning to reside in the area or wanting to have the Ibappi card as a souvenir....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Sports are a major draw for domestic travel. Ibaraki, being a coastal area, is a high-volume destination for sunbathers and surfers from all over Japan, mainly the Greater Tokyo area. Its beaches are clean, and have surfable waves nearly all year round. Most towns set up an official beach patrol/lifeguard station for the summer holiday season of late July/early August. Hirai and Oritsu Beaches and Kashima Kaihin Park in Kashima, Ootake Beach in Hokota and Oarai Sun Beach in Oarai are all very popular summer destinations. Spectator sports are plentiful, with teams in Japan's top leagues of soccer, basketball, and volleyball, and the prefecture boasts dozens of quality golf courses for play or for watching Japan Tour events. If the timing is right, you can catch a pro wrestling show from Hitachi Pro Wrestling, a group that puts on events (usually free) throughout Ibaraki and neighboring prefectures year-round.
Money & Budget
The local souvenirs ubiquitous in all parts of Japan are available in Ibaraki as well. Notable is Ibaraki's unofficial mascot character "Nebaaru-kun". Kame-Jirushi (亀印), headquartered in Mito city, is a popular maker of very good souvenir snacks and candies that are sold all over the prefecture. Ibaraki is a major producer of natto (fermented beans). It is healthy and the locals eat it often for breakfast on rice. Many foreigners (and Japanese) find it too stinky to eat, though some quite like it. Asking your opinion of natto is a common topic of small talk with strangers — don't be afraid of offending someone if you don't like it, as it will likely earn a laugh either way. It is often the first thing asked after someone, Japanese or foreign, mentions being in Mito or Ibaraki.
Language & Talk
Like almost all parts of Japan, Ibaraki has unique linguistic quirks, especially amongst older people, but standard Japanese as spoken in Tokyo is the norm. Tsukuba has strong international connections and Mito is the prefecture hub, and so English speakers may find some support in these cities. Otherwise, English assistance in Ibaraki should be expected to be no better than what may be available in more rural parts of the country. An easy and cheap way to get to the sights of Ibaraki is via the JR Kanto Highway bus. A number of buses leave from both Tokyo and Shinjuku Stations to many destinations in Ibaraki, some as often as 4 times per hour.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Ibaraki
A striking shot of a torii gate standing on rocky outcroppings amidst crashing waves at the coast in Isohamacho, Ibaraki, with a bright sky and distant horizon.
a statue of buddha surrounded by pink flowers
a person sitting on a beach next to the ocean
brown deer on gray concrete floor during daytime
The famous floating torii gate in japan.
The Great Buddha of Ushiku
white and yellow jellyfish close-up photography
A red poppy stands amidst a blue flower field.
The Great Buddha of Ushiku
The Great Buddha of Ushiku
A striking shot of a torii gate standing on rocky outcroppings amidst crashing waves at the coast in Isohamacho, Ibaraki, with a bright sky and distant horizon.
a statue of buddha surrounded by pink flowers
a person sitting on a beach next to the ocean