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Yoshikubo Brewery

Yoshikubo Brewery has been making sake at their Mito Honcho location since 1790. The tasty beverage uses Mito City's soft water and top-quality rice produced locally in Ibaraki. Yoshikubo Brewery achieves its distinct acidity and savory flavor of their sake by allowing the koji (mold) to develop slowly during the brewing process.
The brewery is famous for its junmai daiginjo sake (top-grade sake), "Ippin." This beverage has received numerous awards, including the Gold Award for Sake.

Hoshiimo Shrine / Horide Shrine

Horide Shrine and Hoshiimo Shrine are on a hill with a beautiful view of Ajigaura Beach. The name Horide comes from "horidasu," or the Japanese verb for "to dig out." In 1663, locals unearthed armor, spears, and katana swords in the surrounding area and built a small shrine to enshrine these items. Several years later, an ancient mirror was dedicated to the shrine by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, a historical figure who governed over the local Mito Domain (a domain encompassing modern-day central and northern Ibaraki). It soon became the shrine's object of worship. The shrine is called "Horide" because both the first items found here and the mirror were dug up. Hachiman, the deity of academics and warding against evil spirits, is worshipped here.

In 2019, Hoshiimo Shrine was newly built on the grounds of Horide Shrine. Ibaraki Prefecture ranks the highest in production volume for hoshi-imo (dried sweet potatoes) in Japan. Moreover, Hitachinaka, where the shrine is located, is th…

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.