Explore Kasama City by Bike (daytrip from Tokyo/Ueno)
If you're looking to get out of the city and explore during your trip to Japan, look no further than this daytrip to Kasama, Ibaraki, just an hour and a half from Tokyo by train! After arriving, borrow bikes from the Tourist Information Office at the station and start exploring!
First off, visit Kasama Inari Shrine. With a history of over 1360 years, this shrine is one of Japan's 3 Great Inari Shrines and attracts 3.5 million pilgrims every year. On the street outside the shrine, make sure to grab some local speciality foods like Inari Sushi (deep-fried tofu skin stuffed with rice and other local ingredients like walnuts) or manju steamed buns. Explore the local shopping streets with their traditional architecture as you enjoy your snack.
Then, get back on your bike and head to Kasama Crafthills to relax while surrounded by expansive nature. Finally, pick up some Kasama-yaki Pottery at Kirara Gallery - each piece of pottery is unique so make sure to look for the item that's just right for you.
1day
Day 1
Ueno Station
Take a JR Joban Line Hitachi or Tokiwa Express train to Tomobe Station
1 hour & 10 minutesTomobe Station
Change to the JR Mito Line at Tomobe Station
10 minutesKasama Station
1 minute
Kasama Station Tourist Information Office
288-10 Shimoichige, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture 309-1626
8:30 - 5:30.
Bicycle Rental Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 (8:30 - 4:00 from November - March)
TEL:029-672-1212
1 minute walk from Kasama Station on the JR Mito Line (50m)
10 minutes
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.
1 minute
Shopping streets
Take the retro atmosphere of these traditional shopping streets as you snack on local specialities like stuffed Inari Sushi and ,manjsteamed buns.
15 minutes
Kasama Crafthills Park
Park your bicycle at the information center and take a walk in the park.
2345 Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture 309-1611
Hours: 8:30 - 5:00
Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
This museum was the first in eastern Japan that focused solely on the ceramic arts. Permanent exhibits include works by master Japanese ceramists such as Hazan Itaya and Kosei Matsui. The museum also hosts a wide range of unique exhibitions from around the world.
Read More5 minutes
Kirara Gallery
Kasama-yaki Pottery shopping.
2258-1 Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture 309-1611
Opening Hours: 10:00- 17:00
TEL:029-672-3109
15 minutesKasama Station Tourist Information Office
Return your bikes at the Tourist Information Office.
288-10 Shimoichige, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture 309-1626
Opening Hours: 8:30 - 5:30.
Bicycle Rental Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 (8:30 - 4:00 from November - March)
TEL:029-672-1212
1 minute walk from Kasama Station on the JR Mito Line (50m)
1 minuteKasama Station
Catch the JR Mito Line to Tomobe Station.
10 minutesTomobe Station
Get off at Tomobe Station and change to a JR Joban Line Hitachi or Tokiwa Express train for Tokyo.
1hour & 10 minutesUeno Station
Finish!
Get off at Ueno Station
