Mount Tsukuba

Tsukuba City

Southern Ibaraki

Parks/Nature

The twin peaks of Mount Tsukuba are symbolic of Ibaraki. In Japanese, the peaks are Nyotai and Nantai, meaning the female peak and male peak, respectively. At 877 meters tall, Nyotai, the female peak, is the higher of the two. Mount Tsukuba is accessible in under two hours from Tokyo, making it ideal for escaping city life and getting in touch with nature. There are over 1000 species of flora and fauna on the mountain alone!
Both peaks are easily accessible by cable car or ropeway. If you're looking to exercise, there are plenty of hiking trails that suit all levels. Many trails have unique rock formations and historical Shinto sites.
While Mount Fuji is the symbol of western Japan, Mount Tsukuba is undeniably the symbol of eastern Japan. No trip to the Kanto region is complete without exploring this mountain!

Information

Address: Tsukuba, Tsukuba City
Access: By public transport: From Tsukuba Station, take the Mount Tsukuba Shuttle Bus. The bus takes around 45 minutes.
By car: On the Joban Expressway, exit the expressway at Tsuchiura-Kita IC and drive for around 40 minutes following signs for Mount Tsukuba.
Website: https://ttca.jp/
Contact: Tsukuba Tourism and Convention Association
TEL: 029-869-8333

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Ishioka City

Southern Ibaraki

Hitachi Fudoki no Oka Cherry Blossom

This historical area is famous for its stunning cherry blossoms and giant lion monument modeled after the mask used in "shishi-mai" (lion dance). Varieties of cherry blossoms include Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura (double-cherry trees). Perhaps the most memorable is the Shidarezakura, or weeping cherry trees, which form magical tunnels formed by their low-hanging blossoms.

Parks/Nature

Castles/Historical Sites

Ishioka City

Southern Ibaraki

Hirose Company

Hirose Company is a sake brewery on the banks of the Koise River established in 1805. Blessed with cold land suited for sake brewing and groundwater from the Mt. Tsukuba system, the brewery produces sake, umeshu (plum liqueur), and other liqueurs. Shiragiku, one of their notable brands, is excellent as a souvenir since it's exclusively crafted using rice grown by contract farmers in Ibaraki Prefecture.

You can make an advance phone reservation if you want to tour the brewery.

Traditional Crafts/Sake Breweries

Tsuchiura City

Southern Ibaraki

Kijo Park

The park is a historical symbol of Tsuchiura and was developed from part of the former Tsuchiura Castle. The castle, constructed in the late Muromachi period (1429-1440), was commonly known as "Kijō" ("Turtle Castle") because it resembled a turtle floating in the water. This also carried over to the park, which was named Kijo Park. Castanopsis trees, designated as a natural monument by the prefecture, and a lawn square can be found in the park. You can also see historical heritages that portray the vestiges of the former castle, such as Yagura Gate and Kasumi Gate.

Parks/Nature

Castles/Historical Sites

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