Visit

Osugi Shrine

Osugi Shrine is dedicated to Anba-sama, a deity traditionally associated with fishing villages. In fact, shrines devoted to Anba-sama are rare. In particular, Osugi Shrine is known for its brightly-colored green and vermillion buildings. Visitors to the shrine can pray for protection from bad luck and misfortunes. Participants drive out lousy luck with music during one of the shrine's annual festivals. Local governments even designate the dancing as an intangible folk culture asset.

Oarai Sun Beach

Oarai Sun Beach is one of Ibaraki’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors daily during the summer months. The beach's popularity is owed to its pristine sands and shallow waters.
Oarai Sun Beach is also accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Wheelchairs for use in the sea are available to borrow, and accessible changing rooms are on-site.
The beach is just a 10-minute walk from restaurants and souvenir shops.

Oarai Marine Tower

This 60-meter-tall tower is the symbol of Oarai Town. On clear days in winter, the building offers stunning views of Mount Fuji and the Nikko mountains in Tochigi Prefecture.
On the ground floor, visitors can purchase souvenirs in the gift shop or visit an anime-themed cafe at the "Girls und Panzer" restaurant.

Oarai Science Museum

This museum aims to help children learn science through hands-on exhibits and experiments. There are four themed areas: water, wind, light, and sea.
The museum is just a 5-minute walk from Oarai Sun Beach and Seaside Station shopping mall, making it the perfect addition to a day out in Oarai.

Oarai Museum of Bakumatsu-Meiji History

This museum was established in 1929 by Mitsuaki Tanaka, a samurai during the late Edo Period who became a Cabinet Minister in the Imperial Household Agency.
The museum houses a range of exhibits related to key political figures active in the late Edo Period and early Meiji Period, including personal letters and clothing. The former Emperor and Empress of Japan have even visited the facility.
The museum is located on sprawling grounds filled with pine and cherry trees. Moreover, it is either a short drive or a leisurely walk from the Oarai coast.

Otake Beach

Nicknamed the "Gold Coast of Ibaraki," this white sandy beach is located in Hokota City, Japan's top producer of melons. During the official swimming season, lifeguards are on duty to ensure everyone can enjoy the beach safely.

Mount Tsukuba

The twin peaks of Mount Tsukuba are symbolic of Ibaraki. In Japanese, the peaks are Nyotai and Nantai, meaning the female peak and male peak, respectively. At 877 meters tall, Nyotai, the female peak, is the higher of the two. Mount Tsukuba is accessible in under two hours from Tokyo, making it ideal for escaping city life and getting in touch with nature. There are over 1000 species of flora and fauna on the mountain alone!
Both peaks are easily accessible by cable car or ropeway. If you're looking to exercise, there are plenty of hiking trails that suit all levels. Many trails have unique rock formations and historical Shinto sites.
While Mount Fuji is the symbol of western Japan, Mount Tsukuba is undeniably the symbol of eastern Japan. No trip to the Kanto region is complete without exploring this mountain!

Mount Tsukuba Stardust Cruise

Mount Tsukuba ranks among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and offers unparalleled views of the vast Kanto Plain.
From October to March each year, Mount Tsukuba Ropeway operates special nighttime services during the colder months. Visitors can marvel at the stunning Tokyo skyline at night, including lights glistening from the city center alongside Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree.

Mount Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival

In early spring, over 1000 plum trees blossom on the slopes of Mount Tsukuba. The plum groves are located at an altitude of around 250 meters, offering panoramic views over the Ibaraki countryside. Visitors can even see as far as Tokyo on clear days.

Cretaceous Rock Formations

These cretaceous rocks stemming from the Mesozoic Era (around 6.5 million years ago) are the first rock formation of their kind to be discovered in Ibaraki. Fossilized ammonites and sharks have even been discovered in the area.

Tanaka Brewery

Located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, Tanaka Brewery utilizes the abundant natural resources of this fertile agricultural area, particularly the underground water reserves from the Tone River. Established in 1655, the brewery produces sake using traditional methods today. Tanaka Brewing is best known for its "Kimibandai" range of sake. Likewise, the daiginjo (top grade sake where 50% of the rice grain is removed in the polishing process) blend is renowned for its distinctive deep, full-bodied flavor.

Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition

This firework display first began in 1925 to commemorate the Kasumigaura Naval Air Force members killed in WWI. The event also shines a light on tourism in the local area. In 1947, it was revamped as a competition where fireworks manufacturers and experts nationwide could show off their skills.