Visit

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.

Tsukubasan Shrine

Tsukuba Shrine is a venerable and historic shrine, believed to have approximately 3,000 years of history, dedicated to the sacred Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki. It is one of Japan's most prestigious and historically significant shrines.

Mt. Tsukuba features two peaks: Mount Nantai (Male Peak) and Mount Nyotai (Female Peak). It is believed that deities associated with Japan's creation myth, Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, reside at each summit. For that reason, the shrine is believed to bring good luck in matchmaking, safety for one's family, pregnancy, and childrearing.

The shrine serves as the starting point for sightseeing on Mt. Tsukuba. Many visitors come here to pray for a safe hike up the mountain. Its location at the base of Mt. Nantai also offers convenient access to the cable car platform.

Oda Castle Ruins

Oda Castle was the residence of the Oda clan, an incredibly influential family in the area from the 12th to 17th centuries. Currently, only the ruins of the castle remain.

At the time, the Imperial Court was divided into the Northern Court in present-day Kyoto and the Southern Court in present-day Nara Prefecture. The castle was the regional headquarters for the Southern Court during the Nanbokucho period (1336-1392), a time of conflict between the two courts, and is a designated national historic site.

During the 20th century, the center of the castle was bisected by the tracks of the Tsukuba Railway.

After Tsukuba Railway became defunct in 1987, almost the entire line was redeveloped into Tsukuba Ring Ring Road. The section of the tracks that bisected Oda Castle was modified to go around outside the ruins. However, the railway tracks remain a passage cut and feature a cross-section view of the castle earthwork.

The earthwo…