Visit

Sudo Honke Brewery

With a history spanning 870 years, Sudo Honke Brewery prides itself on using premium quality rice for its junmai daiginjo blend—the highest grade of sake. All of the rice used is grown locally in Kasama City. Sudo Honke sake is dry with a well-rounded, deep flavor profile.

Art Tower Mito

Art Tower Mito is a landmark of Mito City. Its angular, spiraling tower stands 100 meters tall and offers stunning views over the capital city and beyond.
The on-site gallery hosts a variety of modern art exhibitions from around the world, including theater and musical performances.
A visit to Mito City is not complete without exploring this unique landmark!

Mito City Forest Park

Mito City Forest Park was established in 1968 to commemorate 100 years since the Meiji Restoration (marking the end of the feudal era in Japan).
There are around 10,000 trees in the park, and locals hold a tree-planting event each year.
Take a stroll through the park, and you may glimpse something mysterious through the trees. The park is also home to giant replica dinosaurs!

Okushi Historical Park

Okushi Historical Park is a national historic site located on a prehistoric kitchen midden. Visitors can explore how people lived during the Jomon Period (14,000-300 BCE), Yayoi Period (300 BCE–300CE), and Kofun Period (300CE – 538CE) through exhibitions and replica houses.
The park is also home to a statue of Daidarabo, a legendary giant said to have been 15 meters tall. You can climb up inside the giant and view the surrounding area from the palm of his hand!

Mizuki Beach

The Ministry of the Environment lists Mizuki Beach as one of their 100 recommended beaches. The small waves mean that even children can play safely in the sea.

Nishioka Brewery

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Tsukuba, this brewery was founded in 1782. The area has long been known for its high-quality rice and pure natural spring water, which continues to be used in Nishioka's sake brewing. Nishioka Brewery also uses its traditional buildings to host various cultural events.

Ose Beach

Ose Beach is the closest seashore to JR Hitachi Station. At high tide, seawater fills up hollows in the rocks forming natural pools that are perfect for children to play in.
The beach also hosts a summer festival every year.

Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival

Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival is Japan's oldest chrysanthemum festival. The festival began in 1908 when the head priest of Kasama Inari Shrine created gardens on the shrine grounds to comfort people following the Russo-Japanese War.
Chrysanthemum festivals are typically held across Japan in autumn. Likewise, this festival has come to symbolize the arrival of fall in Ibaraki. Around 8,000 chrysanthemum plants are displayed throughout Kasama Inari Shrine during the festival, filling the grounds with the color and fragrance of Japanese autumn.

Kasama Inari Shrine

First established in 651, Kasama Inari Shrine is one of Japan's famous Inari shrines, attracting around 3.5 million pilgrims and visitors annually. The sacred site enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, known to answer prayers for success in business and protection from fires. The shrine grounds are stunning in the late spring when the wisteria flower bloom. Another beautiful time to visit is during the chrysanthemum festival in autumn.
The streets leading up to the shrine are filled with various shops to explore, from traditional soba restaurants to fashionable cafes and renovated sake breweries. Specialties of the area include Kasama Inari Sushi, rice with walnuts, and other seasonal products wrapped in deep-fried tofu and roasted chestnuts. Kasama City is known for its pottery, and there are plenty of galleries in the area to pick up a souvenir before heading home.

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.

Ryujin River & Kamegafuchi Pool

The Ryujin River and Kamegafuchi pool area has inspired numerous local legends. In Japanese, Ryujin River translates to "Dragon River." Not surprisingly, the locals believed that a mythical dragon resided in the river. The otherworldly Kamegafuchi Pool area certainly seems like something could lurk in its depths.
The Ryujin River and Kamegafuchi Pool area is an excellent site for hiking. Nearby destinations include the Ryujin Campsite and Tacchan-no-Yu hot spring baths, ideal for relaxing and recovering after hiking.

Kikunoka Brewery

Kikunoka Brewery uses a range of traditional brewing techniques to make authentic-tasting, crowd-pleasing sake. From the first mouthful to the last sip, the brewery's sake is perfect for special occasions to an evening drink.
The brewery is also open to visitors.