Sakihama Oyster Fossil Bed

Kasumigaura City

Southern Ibaraki

Castles/Historical Sites

The Sakihama Oyster Fossil Bed and Tunnel Tombs formed approximately 120 to 130,000 years ago when this area was at the bottom of the ocean. This oyster shell bed was shaped by the exposure of geological formations deposited with fossil oyster shells. During the late Kofun period between the 6th and 7th century AD, this place was used as tunnel tombs dug into the slopes. A total of 17 tunnel tombs were discovered in various types, including tombs with only a main area for the coffin, while other tombs had three parts in the front and two sides.

Because it is near Ring Ring Road, it's a great place to visit while cycling if you're interested in Japanese history.

Information

Address: Kamo, Kasumigaura, Ibaraki
Access: By public transport: 25 minutes by taxi from Tsuchiura Station
By car: 15 minutes from the Tsuchiura-Kita IC on the Joban Expressway
Business Hours: 24 hours
Parking: Please park at a nearby parking lot.

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Tsukuba City

Southern Ibaraki

Hirasawa Kanga Ruins

The Hirasawa Kanga Ruins were established as a government office over 1,000 years ago, during the Nara (710-794) and Heian (794-1185) periods. They are designated as a national historic site.
Hirasawa is the name of the area where the ruins are located, while Kanga refers to a government office. It is believed that taxation rice was stored here.

Roughly 60 building ruins, along with traces of moats, fences, and more, have been identified as dating back to the Nara and Heian periods through archaeological excavation. Three of its buildings, each with different architectural structures, have been restored to give visitors a look into what ancient architecture was like.

Due to being near Ring Ring Road, it's a recommended place to stop by while cycling.

Castles/Historical Sites

Inashiki City

Southern Ibaraki

Osugi Shrine

Osugi Shrine is dedicated to Anba-sama, a deity traditionally associated with fishing villages. In fact, shrines devoted to Anba-sama are rare. In particular, Osugi Shrine is known for its brightly-colored green and vermillion buildings. Visitors to the shrine can pray for protection from bad luck and misfortunes. Participants drive out lousy luck with music during one of the shrine's annual festivals. Local governments even designate the dancing as an intangible folk culture asset.

Temples/Shrines

Kasumigaura City

Southern Ibaraki

Ayumizaki Park

Ayumizaki Park is located next to the Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road, which is part of the national cycle route. It offers stunning views of Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan. The park features a local museum, an aquarium, a forest park, an Edo-period private garden, and an old private house named Ayumian. The aquarium displays 1,500 Kasumigaura fish of about 110 species, and outside, there is a small viewing platform and a combined deck with playground equipment. The Ayumian Tea House has a tea room and tatami room, where visitors can take a break and enjoy a cup of match tea. The Ayumizaki Observatory, located a short distance up the hill, has an attractive view and has been selected as one of the 100 best views in Ibaraki.

Parks/Nature

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