Visit

Kirara no Sato Recreation Park

Okuhitachi Kirara no Sato is a recreation park home to the longest slide in Japan. Visitors will also find gardens, cabins, take-out food stands, and a soba noodle restaurant.
The park's famous slide measures 1188-meters long and can reach speeds of up to 40km per hour. In other words, this attraction is not for the faint-hearted!
On clear days, Mount Fuji and the Nikko mountains in Tochigi Prefecture are visible from the park.

Okabe Brewery

Located in northern Ibaraki, this brewery was founded in 1875. In addition to their signature product called Matsuzakari Sake, Okabe Brewery produces a range of other alcoholic beverages. This includes Nishiyama no Sato plum wine (umeshu), named after the local area and uses locally grown plums, brown sugar, and sake.

Science Expo Memorial Park

This park was developed on land previously used during the 1985 World Exhibition. The grounds are worth a visit during autumn and spring.
In autumn, rows of ginkgo trees shower the ground with bright yellow leaves. Over 300 cherry trees fill the park with pale pink petals in spring.

Hanazono Gorge

Hanazono Gorge is a well-known spot to admire Japan's famous fall foliage. It is also a designated national park by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government. During autumn, the falling leaves are carried gently away by the Hanazono River—a must-see sight when visiting Ibaraki during this season.
Located at the base of the gorge, Hanazono Shrine is ideal for resting during a walk around the area.

Hananuki Gorge

This scenic gorge area stretches from the Hananuki Dam to the Kotakizawa Camp Site. The gorge's most famous attraction is the stunning Shiomi Falls Suspension Bridge. There are also plenty of hiking trails for exploring the area.
The best time to visit is autumn when foliage covers the area in a blanket of fiery reds and yellows. Summer is another excellent time to bask in the natural surroundings. Bring your swimwear and plunge into natural pools and streams, then relax with a barbecue or picnic at the camp area.

Lake Kasumigaura Sightseeing Boat

A sightseeing boat trip is a perfect way to experience the enormous scale of Japan's second-largest lake.
There are two sightseeing boats to board: The White Iris and Jet Wheel The Tsukuba
The White Iris
Departure Time: 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30
Route: Tsuchiura Port, Kasumigaura City lakeshore, Mount Tsukuba viewpoint, Tsuchiura Port (30 min)
Price: Adults 1540 yen, Children 770 yen
Holidays: Closed on Wednesdays from January to March. Open on Wednesday instead of Thursday if Wednesday is a national holiday. Closed during the New Year holidays. Some services may be reserved for group bookings.
Operator: Lacus Marina (029-822-2437)
Jet Wheel The Tsukuba
Departure Time: 9:25, 10:25,11:25, 12:25, 13:25, 14:25, 16:05, 16:50
Route: Tsuchiura Port, Miho Town lakeshore, Kasumigaura lakeshore, Tsuchiura Port (40 minutes)
Price: Adults 1680 yen, Children 850 yen

Kasumigaura Park

This lakeside park measures 46 hectares and features various sports facilities, a nature center, and a publicly-run guesthouse.

Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

This world-class aquarium is home to over 580 species of marine life, including penguins, dolphins, sharks, sunfish, and sea lions. In fact, Aqua World houses the largest number of shark species in Japan and is renowned for its successful shark breeding program.
The dolphin and sea lion shows are the main attraction for many visitors to the aquarium. But don’t forget to set time aside for the penguin feeding or watching the shark tank getting cleaned! With ​so much to see, it’s easy to spend a whole day at the aquarium. There are plenty of food and drink options available inside to keep you going while you explore.

Kashima Soccer Stadium

Kashima Soccer Stadium is the home stadium of the J. League Kashima Antlers. As one of the first dedicated soccer stadiums built in Japan, it was a pioneering move at the time. Large stadium screens help fans get up close to the action during matches.
Special back-stage tours are held on weekends and national holidays. Therefore, super-fans can delve deeper into the club’s history at the Kashima Antlers Museum.
The stadium was also a host venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Kasumigaura City Aquarium

This aquarium features fish found in the nearby Lake Kasumigaura and other freshwater creatures sourced worldwide.
At the touch tank, visitors can experience touching some fish, including carp and bitterlings.

Karakasa Manto Festival

This festival dates back to the Edo Period and takes place on the 15th of August every year.
During the festival, a traditonal umbrella known as a 'karakasa' around 5m accross and 6m tall is lit up with fireworks. The fireworks cascade down the umbrella in a fiery spectacle for nearly 10 minutes.
The festival is dedicated to wishing for a bountiful harvest, the safety of one's family and peace. 

Ibaraido Forest & Sylvanian Park

This recreational park in southern Ibaraki is the perfect destination for family trips. It features a European theme with plenty of beautiful flower gardens, forest areas, and European-style buildings. The park will easily keep the whole family entertained all day. Attractions include getting up close to farm animals, including alpaca and sheep, pottery workshops, and a treetop adventure playground.
After working up an appetite while exploring the park, head to the barbecue area for lunch or visit one of the park's restaurants. In keeping with the park's European theme, food options include freshly-baked pizza and bread alongside Japanese curry.
Fans of Sylvanian Families can also visit recreations of Sylvanian houses and watch performances by their favorite characters!