A 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary to Enjoy the Plum Blossom Festival and Monkfish Cuisine in Ibaraki Prefecture During the Cold Season!
From early February to late March, the nationally famous plum trees in Ibaraki Prefecture bloom, and plum blossom festivals are held at various locations, including Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, and the former domain school Kodokan, a designated Japanese Heritage site.
In this 2-day, 1-night itinerary, you’ll not only admire the beautiful plum blossoms but also discover unique ways to enjoy the cold season in Ibaraki. Indulge in seasonal monkfish dishes, considered a delicacy since the Edo period, take in the spectacular view of a torii gate standing on a rock in the sea at dawn, and, at night, enjoy bar-hopping through streets that exude a retro atmosphere after admiring the illuminated plum blossoms.
1 night, 2 days
Day 1
Tokyo Station
(Train) About 1 hour 30 minutesMito Station
(Bus) 30 minutes
Kanefuku Mentai Park Oarai
The Kanefuku Mentai Park Oarai is a facility that includes a mentaiko factory, a factory direct sales store, a mentaiko gallery, and a cafe. ""Mentai"" refers to spicy cod roe, a popular food …
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(On foot) 10 minutes
Lunch
Ume Cafe WAON
Ume Cafe WAON is managed by Yoshidaya, a well-established Japanese pickle shop founded in 1830. It is the first plum (ume) specialty cafe in Japan and is a popular spot to enjoy food, sweets, and dri…
Read More(Bus) 15 minutes
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…
Read More(Bus) 10 minutes
Overnight stay, dinner (monkfish cuisine)
Oarai Hotel
Located on the Oarai Coast, this hotel boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the guest rooms. The meals also feature freshly-caught seafood. There are plenty of attractions to visit year-…
Read MoreDay 2
Oarai Hotel
(On foot) 5 minutes
Watch the sunrise at the famous Kamiiso-no-Torii Gate early in the morning
Oarai Isosaki Shrine
This shrine was founded in 856 when two deities are said to have descended upon the coast of Oarai. The two enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine are Daikoku-sama, the god of nation-building and national…
Read More(On foot) 5 minutesBreakfast
Oarai Hotel
(Bus) 5 minutes, hotel shuttleOarai Station
(Train) 16 minutesMito Station
(Bus) 20 minutes
Kairakuen Garden
Kairakuen Garden is ranked among Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama. The garden was established in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth f…
Read More(On foot) Right nearby
Lunch
Mito Mon no Mae
Located in front of the Eastern Gate of Kairakuen Garden, Mito Mon no Mae offers a selection of local gourmet products, souvenirs, and cuisine unique to Mito. Recommended meals include the Wara Natto…
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(Taxi) 10 minutes
Paper lantern-making workshop
Suzuki Mohei Shoten Shop
Suzuki Mohei Shoten, established in 1865, is one of the Suifu chochin (paper lantern) manufacturers. Suifu chochin (with the name Suifu coming from the old name of Mito City) is a traditional craft …
Read More(Taxi) 10 minutes
Kodokan Mito Domain School
Kodokan was established in 1841 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth feudal lord of the Mito Domain. It was the largest school among the warrior clan and comparable to a university by today's standards. St…
Read More(Taxi) 10 minutes
Bar-hopping
Daikumachi
Located in Mito City, historically associated with the Mito Tokugawa family (one of the three main Tokugawa clans), Daikumachi is one of the vibrant downtown districts in the northern Kanto area. The…
Read More(Taxi) 10 minutesMito Station
(Train) About 1 hour 30 minutesTokyo Station
