Early Summer Road Trip: A 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary to Explore Irises and Savor Local Delicacies

This is a 2-day, 1-night road trip itinerary for early summer, starting in Mito City.
In Ibaraki, visitors can enjoy the Suigo-Itako Iris Festival from late spring to late June, a festival famous for the traditional Yomeiribune (bride boat). This itinerary offers not only the opportunity to admire the irises but also to savor meals and sweets featuring local ingredients, including Ibaraki Prefecture's specialty gourmet melons and sweet potatoes. You’ll also have the chance to interact with living creatures at the newly opened Kasumigaura Dobutsu to Minna no Ie and visit the Aqua World Ibaraki Prefecture Oarai Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in Japan. The itinerary also takes you past the spiritual Ikisu Shrine.
For accommodation, enjoy staying in a traditional house built about 120 years ago and designated as a Cultural Property of Japan—an ideal place for family trips.

1 night, 2 days

Day 1

station

Rent a car near the station

Mito Station

train(Car) 50 minutes
Fukasaku Farm

Fukasaku Farm

Fukasaku Farm in Ibaraki is a popular destination for visitors looking to enjoy fresh fruit. The farm is well-known for its seasonal fruit-picking experiences, such as sweet melons and strawberrie…

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train(Car) 25 minutes
Lapoppo Namegata Farmers Village

Lunch

Lapoppo Namegata Farmers Village

Namegata Farmers Village is a park and shop in a renovated school building just an 80-minute drive from Tokyo. The overarching concept at the park is "farm to table." Therefore, visitors can eat, exp…

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train(Car) 20 minutes
Suigo-Itako Iris Garden

Suigo-Itako Iris Garden

The Suigo-Itako Iris Garden, covering an area of approximately 1.3 hectares, is located along the river in Itako City. Every year, from late May to late June, around 1 million irises of 500 varieties…

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train(Car) 20 minutes
Ikisu Shrine

Ikisu Shrine

Ikisu Shrine, along with Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Katori Jingu Grand Shrine (Chiba Prefecture), has long been revered as one of the most powerful spiritual sites in the Kan…

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train(Car) 15 minutes
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Itako

Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Itako

Located off National Highway 51, this roadside station is a tourist destination in itself. In addition to the farm shop and restaurant, there is a golf course and hot spring foot bath on site! The …

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train(Car) 10 minutes
Isoyamatei Guesthouse

Overnight stay

Isoyamatei Guesthouse

Isoyamatei Guesthouse is a seven-minute walk from Itako Iris Gardens and JR Itako Station and 70 minutes by highway bus from Tokyo Station. The entire property is rented out during the stay, which me…

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Day 2

stay

Isoyamatei Guesthouse

train(Car) 5 minutes
Aiyu Brewery

Excursion, tasting and shopping

Aiyu Brewery

Aiyu Brewery was established in 1804. In Japanese, the name "Aiyu" is made up of the characters for "love" and "friendship." This reflects the company's wish to see sake culture spread worldwide. The…

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train(Car) 35 minutes
Kasumigaura Dobutsu to Minna no Ie

Kasumigaura Dobutsu to Minna no Ie

Kasumigaura Doubutsu to Minna no Ie is a facility located on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura in Namegata City. It opened in July 2024 after large-scale renovations and redevelopment of a former public …

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train(Car) 40 minutes
tama umi terrasse

Lunch

tama umi terrasse

Tama Umi Terrasse is an accommodation facility located by the sea, surrounded by nature. It offers fully equipped glamping cottages and camping sites inspired by the French countryside. Visitors can …

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train(Car) 25 minutes
Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

This world-class aquarium is home to over 580 species of marine life, including penguins, dolphins, sharks, sunfish, and sea lions. In fact, Aqua World houses the largest number of shark species in J…

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train(Car) 30 minutes
station

Return the rental car

Mito Station

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Enjoy Ibaraki! A New Experience Awaits