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Departure from Ibaraki Airport

DRIVING

3 Nights, 4 Days

3-Night, 4-Day Course Exploring Local Power Spots

This driving course starts from Ibaraki Airport and includes a car rental. While touring some power spots enjoy the local cuisine, and rejuvenate yourself with some good luck power!

DAY 1

15:00

TOYOTA Rent a Car(Ibaraki Airport Shop)

Until March 31, 2024! Only 1,000 yen to Book a Rent-a-Car for visitors staying the night in Ibaraki Prefecture? (Note: some conditions apply)

If you book a rental car at TOYOTA Rent a Car (Ibaraki Airport Shop) on the day you arrive at Ibaraki Airport, you're eligible to use the vehicle for the first 24 hours for only 1,000 yen! This offer is restricted to those who stay more than one night in Ibaraki Prefecture. (This promotion continues until March 31, 2024. Vehicles must be returned by this date.) Please note that some conditions apply. For example, prior reservations are required, and when returning the car, customers must also present a receipt or accommodation certificate from a hotel within the prefecture for the number of people in their party. Please confirm all of these details before applying.

Website: Ibaraki Airport Official Site

Address: 1604-10 Yozawa, Omitama City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 30 minutes by car

DAY 1

15:30

Ikoi no Mura Hinuma

At this natural hot spring inn, the spectacular sunset over the town of Hinuma will soothe your soul.

The large hot spring bath at Hinuma Onsen (Bijin-no-Yu) offers a spectacular panorama of Lake Hinuma. Please enjoy the smooth feeling of the hot spring water that gives bathers the sensation of soaking in beauty wash.
Enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet, which differs depending on the course. It features simple, easy-to-eat dishes and over 20 entrees using carefully selected ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture. At breakfast, enjoy freshwater clam soup (complimentary second servings) made with Yamato clams from the Hinuma area.

Website: Ikoi no Mura Hinuma Official Site

Address: 3604 Minowa, Hokota City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 70 minutes by car

DAY 2

9:00

Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine

Thanks to the power of the deity of martial arts enshrined here, you may overcome the difficulties you're facing in life.

If you step onto the shrine precincts—covered with giant cedar, beech (Japanese chinquapin), and fir trees—the solemn and dignified atmosphere will convince you that this is the highest-ranking shrine in the Ibaraki area. In particular, the vivid vermillion-colored romon tower gate is a must-see spot. This impressive piece of architecture was built some 400 years ago. "Kachimamori" is a famous good luck charm said to improve your luck during competitions.

Website: Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine Official Site

Address: 2306-1 Kyuchu, Kashima, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Open year-round

Opening hours: The shrine precincts are open to the public.

About 70 minutes by car

DAY 2

11:30

Nakaminato Fish Market

At this popular spot, you can easily experience the vibrancy of the market and enjoy a superb lunch.

This fish market sits in front of the Nakaminato Port, which boasts one of the largest fish catches in the prefecture. The market has 11 shops, including restaurants and stores selling marine products. First, you can choose the perfect souvenir at one of the storefronts where lively shouts and cries of shopkeepers can be heard. Afterward, enjoy sushi with the freshest seafood or a seafood rice bowl (kaisendon).

Website: Nakaminato Fish Market Official Site

Address: 19-8 Minatohoncho, Hitachinaka

Regular holiday: Depends on the shop

Opening hours: Depends on the shop

20 minutes by car

DAY 2

13:00

Hitachi Seaside Park

The park's main highlights are the 5.3 million nemophila flowers and the 33,000 kochia bushes.

This vast park sitting along the coastline is famous for the many varieties of flowers that bloom everywhere during each season. In particular, the nemophila flowers peak from mid-April to early May, while the kochia bushes turn various colors from early to late October. The sight of these flowers covering the garden's picturesque hill is a sight to behold. Since the park is vast, we recommend renting a bicycle to see all the highlights.

Website: Hitachi Seaside Park Official Site

Address: 605-4 Mawatari, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Tuesdays (If it falls on a national holiday, the park is closed the following weekday)

Opening hours: 9:30-17:00 (changes seasonally)

1 hour by car

DAY 2

15:30

Oiwa Shrine

One of Japan's top power spots, surrounded by the oldest sacred mountain in Hitachi Province (an old province in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture).

A total of 188 deities are enshrined at Oiwa Shrine, starting with Kuninotokotachi-no-Mikoto said to be the first deity of Japanese mythology. So, it should be no surprise that the shrine is brimming with power.

Website: Oiwa Shrine Official Site

Address: 752 Irishikencho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Open year-round * During severe weather conditions, the shrine may be closed

Opening hours: Visiting hours: 6:00-17:00, climbing time: 6:00-15:00 * must descend the mountain by 17:00
>Shrine office: 9:00-17:00

30 minutes by car

DAY 2

17:30

SEA BiRDS CAFE(JR Hitachi Station)

Enjoy an elegant dining experience with a feeling of floating on the sea.

SEA BiRDS CAFE is directly connected to Hitachi Station and features a floor-to-ceiling glass storefront. It's a trendy cafe where you can kick back and relax while admiring the panoramic view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean. For tea time, we recommend the soft and fluffy pancakes. While enjoying the scenic view and your tasty meal, it'll soon be time to catch the train!

Website: SEA BiRDS CAFE Official Site

Address: 1-3-20 Asahi-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Open year-round

Opening hours: 7:00-22:00

50 minutes by car

DAY 2

18:30

Marumitsu Ryokan- Welcome to the World of Monkfish -

Monkfish (anko) is a high-class fish filled with collagen making it great for your skin. The shogun typically ate exquisite monkfish cuisine during the Edo Period.

Marumitsu Ryokan has four different baths, allowing guests to go hot-spring hopping. However, the main highlight of this inn is the monkfish dinner.
Due to its soft flesh, the monkfish is often slimy and difficult to prepare on a cutting board. So guests can watch a process called "tsurushi-giri," where the monkfish is suspended and cut into pieces. All parts of the fish are cooked, including the liver and skin. Diners won't be able to get enough of the dobu-jiru soup with its rich miso flavor!

Website: Marumitsu Ryokan Official Site Reservation

Address: 235 Hirakata-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 70 minutes by car

DAY 3

10:00

Ryujin Bungee Jumping(Ryujin Suspension Bridge)

At a staggering height of 100 meters, face toward the surface of the lake below, then...3,2,1...Jump!

This is Japan's largest pedestrian suspension bridge, measuring 375 meters in length. Visitors can enjoy bungee jumping that takes advantage of the bridge's height—100 meters above ground. Looking down at the dragon-shaped Lake Ryujin and jumping off the bridge is a scary experience that will become an unforgettable memory! After completing the bungee jump and experiencing a feeling of accomplishment, let's grab some lunch at the restaurant or cafe adjoining the Ryujin Suspension Bridge. (Bungee jump: 19,000 yen, reservations required)

Website: Reservation

Address: 2133-6 Kegano-cho, Hitachiota City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Thursdays, Fridays (Excluding national holidays) * Changes can sometimes occur

Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 * Last entry is at 16:30

About 30 minutes by car

DAY 3

11:30

Fukuroda Falls

Fukuroda Falls is one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan. During the fall and winter seasons, they also hold illumination events.

Daigo town's Fukuroda Falls is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. It's also known for being one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan alongside Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture and Kegon Falls in Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture). Visitors can enjoy the stunning beauty of each season. If you stand under the falls, it's said that you can refresh your body and soul while experiencing the positive effects of negative ions. The illuminations held from autumn to winter have become regional events. The combination of artificial lighting and natural scenery creates a different kind of dignified and mysterious space.

Website: Fukuroda Falls Official Site

Address: 3-19 Fukuroda, Daigo-machi, Kuji-gun, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Open year-round

Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 (From May until October) / 8:00-17:00 (November) / 9:00-17:00 (From December to April)

About 20 minutes by car

DAY 3

13:00

Saku Cafe

A highlight-filled cafe in a renovated kominka (Japanese folk house)

The cafe menu, which includes homegrown vegetables and herbs, uses 20 to 30 different locally-sourced ingredients at any given time. There's also an accommodation here for up to three guest parties. At the back of the building in the owner's home, there are two guest rooms, plus a concept room (Room 796), located in a different spot.

Website: Saku Cafe Official Site

Address: 416-1 Daigo, Daigo-machi, Kuji-gun, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Mondays, Tuesdays (Open for business if they fall on a national holiday)

Opening hours: 11:00-22:00

DAY 3

14:00

A Drive Through Okukuji Valley

A scenic drive that takes you from Hitachi-Daigo to Mito City

National Route 118 runs parallel with the JR Suigun Line. This enjoyable one-hour drive is highlighted by magnificent scenery including picturesque views of the Kuji River's clear waters. From late October until late November, the fiery red autumn foliage is also very popular. If you have the time, we also highly recommend visiting the Yasunba Observation Platform.

Website: The Okukuji Valleys Yasunba Observatory

Address: ----

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 90 minutes by car

DAY 3

16:00

Tokiwa Shrine

A shrine where you can experience traditional culture and beautiful natural surroundings.

Tokiwa Shrine sits adjacent to Kairakuen Garden. The Plum Wine Festival is also held during the Mito Plum Festival. Visitors can experience traditional culture and the beauty of nature simultaneously. The festival at this historic shrine offers visitors the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the region's culture and traditions.

Website: Tokiwa Shrine Official Site

Address: 1-3-1 Tokiwa-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 5 minutes by car

DAY 3

17:00

Hotel the West Hills mito

Hotel the West Hills mito is Mito City's newest city hotel.

We recommend Hotel the West Hills mito for its highly convenient location. The hotel is located in a shopping and entertainment district called Daiku-machi, so plenty of eating and drinking establishments are nearby. Getting here by bus from JR Mito Station takes about ten minutes. It has very reasonable prices with attractive and comfortable guest rooms. For an additional charge, they can also provide breakfast and dinner.

Website: Hotel the West Hills mito Official Site

Address: 1-2-1 Daiku-machi, Mito City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 10 minutes by car

DAY 4

9:20

Kodokan Mito Domain School

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season on foot or by rental bike.

On the way to Kairakuen Garden from Mito Station, we recommend touring the shoreline of Lake Senba on foot or by rental bike. This route is blessed with rich natural surroundings, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. In spring, it's especially well-known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, providing visitors with a peaceful and quiet time.

Website: Kodokan Mito Domain School Official Site

Address: 1-6-29 Sannomaru, Mito City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: December 29-31

Opening hours: February 20 to September 30: 9:00-17:00 / October 1 to February 19: 9:00-16:30

About 30 minutes by car

DAY 4

10:30

Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine

The auspicious turtle is a must-see at Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine!

Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine is located on a cape along the nearby coastline. The deity of sake production is enshrined here, and it's known for its beautiful flowers and scenic views. On the shrine precincts, there's a stone statue of a turtle that's said to have been donated by a lottery winner. Therefore, it's believed that touching the statue will bring good luck! The tunnel of greenery, created by the camellia shrubs and tabunoki trees (Japanese bay tree) along the approach to the shrine is also beautiful.

Website: Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine Official Site

Address: 4607-2 Isozaki-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: ----

Opening hours: ----

About 15 minutes by car

DAY 4

11:15

Kurosawa Soy Sauce Brewery

A factory tour of a soy sauce (shoyu) brewery with a history dating back 100 years.

Kurosawa Soya Sauce Brewery was established in 1905. Today, as in the past, soy sauce is made in ancient cedar tubs using the natural yeast and lactic acid bacteria that live in the warehouse, combined with the power of people and nature with many years of experience. While preserving the traditional taste of Kurosawa soy sauce, the company strives to take on new challenges and commitments. We also recommend trying the warehouse cafe's sweets and cuisine made with rice koji and soy sauce while sampling different varieties of soy sauce.

Website: Kurosawa Soy Sauce Brewery - Official Site Kurosawa Soy Sauce Brewery - Article

Address: 1260 Mawatari, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki

Regular holiday: Sundays and national holidays

Opening hours: 9:00-18:00

About 40 minutes by car

DAY 4

13:00

Soranoeki SOL・LA・LA

Enjoy shopping here for Omitama City's best farm produce and dairy products.

Omitama City boasts Japan's largest volume of chicken egg shipments and is called "A Heaven of Delicious Food" for its flourishing agriculture, dairy, and fishing industries. Soranoeki SOL-LA-LA takes advantage of these rich resources. It's a gathering spot for those who support and promote local food production and consumption, exchange, and regional revitalization. We also recommend the produce outlet that offers seasonal vegetables, fruit, eggs, and processed goods.