Mentai Park

Central Ibaraki

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Mentai Park merges a mini-museum, souvenir shop, and cafe with the Kanefuku Mentai Factory site in Oarai. "Mentai" or "mentaiko" refers to marinated cod roe, a popular food in Japan featured in everything from pasta sauce, mayonnaise, and onigiri rice balls!
At Mentai Park, visitors can observe the production process and sample food made with mentaiko, including snacks like onigiri and ice cream! In the souvenir shop, purchase some mentaiko to take home or snag a giant mentaiko plushy of Tarapiyo, the company's mascot.

Information

Address: 8255-3 Isohamacho, Oarai Town
Access: By car: 10-minute drive from the Mito-Oarai IC on the Kitakanto Expressway
By train: 20-minute walk from Oarai Station on the Oarai-Kashima Line
Business Hours: Business Hours
weekday 9:00-17:00
holiday 9:00-18:00
Website: https://mentai-park.com/ooarai/
Contact: TEL: 029-219-4101
Parking: 120 car parking spots
8 bus parking spots
Prices: Free admission

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Central Ibaraki

Confectionery & Sweets Museum

This compact museum is a great place to learn about the history of confectionery and snacks worldwide.

Museums/Zoos/Aquariums

Central Ibaraki

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 prosperity, and Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, the god of medicine.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine is associated with the nearby Kamiiso-no-Torii, a sacred gate where the gods are said to have descended earth. This shrine gate stands dramatically on rocks in the Pacific Ocean and attracts photographers worldwide. On New Year's Day, the sun rises directly between the pillars of the shrine gate.
This shrine is also famous among fans of the anime series "Girls und Panzer," which is set in the town of Oarai and uses real-life locations. Many prayer plaques at the shrine feature illustrations of the characters from the anime drawn by visiting fans.

Temples/Shrines

Central Ibaraki

Crafthills Kasama

Kasama City is famous for its thriving pottery tradition throughout Japan. Crafthills Kasama is the ideal place to learn more about the city's pottery, see works by famed local potters, shop for souvenirs, and even try making your own Kasama-style pottery!
The facility is set in an expansive park and houses galleries exhibiting works by well-known local artists. There's also a cafe, coffee shop, souvenir shop, and pottery studios.
The Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum is located next door to Crafthills Kasama. Likewise, the surrounding park contains several unique and playful outdoor sculptures.
The cafe, hands-on pottery experiences, and affordable souvenirs make Crafthills Kasama an accessible introduction to the world of Japanese pottery. It has plenty of attractions to offer families, casual visitors, and pottery enthusiasts.

Traditional Crafts/Sake Breweries

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