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Sasame Sobei Shoten Co., Ltd.

Sasame Sobei Shoten is a sake brewery that was established in 1873 in Kasama City. It's located at the entrance to the approach of Kasama Inari Shrine. The brewery produces sacred sake (omiki)―alcoholic offerings presented to
the gods during special Shinto rituals and ceremonies―particularly for Kasama Inari Shrine. Their signature brand, Futabayama Matsumidori, has been offered as sacred sake for ceremonial occasions for many years.

At Sasame Sobei Shoten, sake is brewed using only from carefully selected sake rice, while making full use of their pristine water sources and the climate blessed by the changing seasons. Please enjoy their traditionally handcrafted sake, noted for its fragrant aroma and gentle, refined flavor.

On the store premises, visitors can experience kakuuchi—a unique Japanese custom of drinking alcohol right at the liquor store. This gives guests the opportunity to experience more than the century-old traditions of Sasame Sobe…

Bar Bus Hitachino

Bar Bus Hitachino is a premium charter service designed for day trips, during which passengers can taste a diverse selection of alcoholic beverages while traveling. It is managed by Kiuchi Brewery, which has more than 200 years of history. The bus is equipped with a bar counter, allowing participants to savor unlimited Hitachino Nest Beer, Hinomaru Whisky, sake “Kikusakari,” and other drinks while enjoying the scenic rural landscapes outside the windows.

In addition, tours include visits to different sake production facilities such as Yasato Distillery and Nukada Brewery, with guided excursions and tastings (in Japanese).

Custom-made tours can also be arranged upon request.
For group reservations or customized tours, please inquire in advance.

Yasato Distillery

Yasato Distillery is managed by Kiuchi Brewery, which has a history spanning over 200 years. Located in the natural setting blessed with the pure waters from Mount Tsukuba, it produces the Hinomaru Whiskey brand. The charming building was renovated from an old community center using locally sourced wood.

At the gift shop, visitors can purchase whiskey, including limited editions, as well as in-house prosciutto, sausages and other products. Tastings and meals are also available.

The distillery offers a guided tour of the facilities, at the end of which participants can either sample the products or create an original whiskey by blending malt whiskey. Both activities (in Japanese) require advance reservations.

This is a special place to experience Japanese whisky culture while enjoying views of Mount Tsukuba.

Buryu Winery

Buryu Winery is located in Hitachiota, home to about 50 vineyards. Using locally grown grapes, the winery carefully crafts wines that bring out the natural flavors.

Its production includes the signature Ibaraki Wine series, along with Ashita no Wine, created in collaboration with the local community—both capturing the essence of the traditional rural landscape and the heartfelt spirit of the people who nurture it.

The winery tour includes a visit to the production and storage facilities, as well as a wine tasting (in Japanese).
*Advance reservations are required for the winery tour. Applications can be submitted via the form on the winery`s Instagram account.

GRANBERRY DAICHI

GRANBERRY DAICHI features a rare elevated hanging-rack cultivation system. Approximately 190,000 strawberry plants grow on suspended shelves, allowing visitors to pick strawberries comfortably while standing. The aisles are wide enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.
The strawberry picking season is from mid-December to late May, and visitors can enjoy seasonal varieties such as Yayoihime and Amaotome in a 40-minute, all-you-can-eat session.
At the on-site shop and cafe, cakes and parfaits made with generous amounts of ripe strawberries are especially popular. There is also a restaurant that serves nagashi-somen (cold noodles that flow in running water) and tempura. The farm is easily accessible from Tokyo by train. Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Joso is also located nearby, making it convenient to shop for local specialties during the trip.

Fukuda Green Farm

Fukuda Green Farm is a great place to enjoy fruit picking. While the fruits in season vary from month to month, from mid-August to late November visitors can enjoy an all-you-can-eat experience with Japanese autumn fruits such as pears, grapes, persimmons, and chestnuts. The farm is committed to reduced-pesticide cultivation, so the fruits can be eaten on the spot without worry.

Visitors can take home the fruits they pick, sold by weight, while the on-site produce stand also offers roasted chestnuts and seasonal fruits. The facility is barrier-free, making it accessible for seniors and visitors with disabilities. The farm is also conveniently located, just a 50-minute drive from Tokyo.

Fujita Apple Orchard

Fujita Apple Orchard, located in the hilly area of Daigo Town, offers apple picking from early September to early December. The orchard grows over 50 varieties including Tsugaru, Sekai-ichi, Mutsu, and Fuji. From these, visitors can pick nine varieties by hand and take them home, paying by weight. The experience also includes unlimited tasting to compare the flavor of each variety.

The produce stand offers sweets that bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients—among them, homemade apple pie and baumkuchen made with whole apples are especially popular. There is also a cafe and a barbecue area serving Hitachi beef (reservation required). Visitors can enjoy the picturesque rural landscape and savor the flavors of autumn.

Forest Park Melon no Mori

Ibaraki Prefecture is the top producer of melons in Japan. At Forest Park Melon no Mori in Hokota City, visitors can enjoy melon picking and tasting from late spring to early summer and again in autumn. The farm features original varieties such as Yuka and Sayaka, offering a delightful range of flavors. No reservation is required, and the experience is available even on rainy days, making it a convenient spot to drop by while traveling.

There is a barbecue area on-site where visitors can grill the famous Hitachi beef and other local products—no need to bring anything, just come and relax. A shop and rest area are also available, offering freshly picked melons for direct purchase, as well as popular treats like fresh melon juice and melon desserts topped with soft-serve ice cream.
*Barbecue requires a reservation.

VAN SICKEL FARM TSUKUBA (Tom’s Blueberry)

VAN SICKEL FARM TSUKUBA is located at Tsukuba City, one of the top three blueberry producers in Japan. The farm is committed to cultivation that avoids pesticides and herbicides, making full use of the soil’s natural minerals.

The farm grows around 50 varieties of blueberries, with a total of 1,000 plants, as well as blackberries and raspberries. Visitors can enjoy seasonal berry picking from June to mid-August, including an all-you-can-eat plan. The farm’s processed products, such as frozen ice treats and jams made from the farm’s berries are also popular.

English support is available, provided by the American owner. Another attraction is the farm’s nature-rich location with views of Mount Tsukuba.
*Berry picking does not require a reservation on weekdays, but a reservation is needed on weekends and public holidays.

Yamaichi Miso

Yamaichi Miso is a long-established company founded in 1962 as a noodle manufacturer, later expanding into miso production through traditional koji-making. Today, it produces around 15 varieties of miso in-house, maintaining its commitment to natural fermentation without added alcohol.

The gift shop on site handles miso and koji along with miso-flavored soft-served ice cream, cookies, and chiffon cake.
From October to June, hands-on miso-making workshops are also available (in Japanese).

*Koji: a fermented ingredient made by cultivating koji mold (Aspergillus oryzae) on rice, barley, or soybeans. It is used as a base for products such as miso, soy sauce, and sake.

Hitachi-no-Kuni Long Trail

The Hitachi-no-Kuni Long Trail is a hiking and trekking route stretching approximately 320 km across six municipalities in northern Ibaraki Prefecture (as of 2025, around 275 km are open). The trail is located in a low-mountain area, about 500 meters above sea level, suitable for trekkers of all levels.

There are forests, shrines, historic spots, and shopping streets along the trail, so beyond the natural scenery, visitors can experience the local history and culture, and enjoy interaction with the locals.

For international visitors, there are day-trip and 1‑night, 2‑day package tours that include local transportation and accommodations. Besides the tours, English-speaking guides are also available to introduce the trail and facilitate interaction with local people.
Customized tours for overseas travel agencies can be arranged upon request.

Storm Field Guide/Ryujin Outdoor Field Facility

This facility in northern Ibaraki offers visitors the chance to enjoy water activities on the Ryujin Dam Reservoir.
From the lake, you can look up at the Ryujin Suspension Bridge—one of Japan’s longest pedestrian bridges—and watch bungee jumpers take the plunge, all while enjoying activities such as canoeing, SUP, and rubber boat tours.

These include guided water excursions that take you to hidden waterfalls, unique rock formations, and secluded gorges accessible only from the water. A guide accompanies all tours, so even beginners can participate safely (English support available; reservation required).

The facility is equipped with changing rooms and showers, making it a popular spot to try a variety of activities.
*All tours require a reservation.