Departing From Ibaraki Airport! A Classic 4-Day Ibaraki Itinerary by Car!

This is a four-day travel plan that allows you to fully enjoy Ibaraki Prefecture's stunning scenery, gourmet cuisine, and famous sightseeing spots.
This itinerary is packed with useful information so you can have a worry-free trip even if it's your first time here.

*This itinerary is based on flights in operation at the time of writing (October 2024).

3 night, 4 days

Day 1

Ibaraki Airport

Upon arrival, rent a car

Ibaraki Airport

Ibaraki Airport is a convenient regional airport. The airport offers international flights to Taipei City, Taiwan. In addition to its four direct domestic flights to Sapporo (Shin Chitose Airport)…

Read More
train(Car) 40 minutes
Ume Cafe WAON

Ume Cafe WAON

Ume Cafe WAON is managed by Yoshidaya, a well-established Japanese pickle shop founded in 1830. It is the first plum (ume) specialty cafe in Japan and is a popular spot to enjoy food, sweets, and dri…

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
stay

Check-in

Oarai Hotel

train(Car) 5 minutes
Nakamura Restaurant

Dinner

Nakamura Restaurant

This seafood restaurant serves dishes made with fresh ingredients from local markets. Anglerfish hotpot, a regional specialty, is particularly popular during the winter months.

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
Oarai Hotel

Overnight stay

Oarai Hotel

Located on the Oarai Coast, this hotel boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the guest rooms. The meals also feature freshly-caught seafood. There are plenty of attractions to visit year-…

Read More

Day 2

stay

Oarai Hotel

Leave the car at the hotel and go for a walk

train(On foot) 5 minutes
Oarai Isosaki Shrine

Oarai Isosaki Shrine

This shrine was founded in 856 when two deities are said to have descended upon the coast of Oarai. The two enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine are Daikoku-sama, the god of nation-building and national…

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

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 J…

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
Nakaminato Fish Market

Lunch

Nakaminato Fish Market

Popular among locals and visitors alike, this fish market is known for its affordable prices and restaurants serving up local seafood. Take in the market scenes before sitting down at one of the mark…

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
Hoshiimo Specialty Shop Daimaruya

Hoshiimo Specialty Shop Daimaruya

Daimaruya was established in 1897. To fully bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients, they have been making additive-free products for over 120 years since their founding. The shop offers a…

Read More
train(Car) 15 minutes
Hoshiimo Shrine / Horide Shrine

Hoshiimo Shrine / Horide Shrine

Horide Shrine and Hoshiimo Shrine are on a hill with a beautiful view of Ajigaura Beach. The name Horide comes from "horidasu," or the Japanese verb for "to dig out." In 1663, locals unearthed armor,…

Read More
train(Car) 10 minutes
Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park is perhaps Ibaraki's most famous tourist destination for its Instagram-friendly fields of flowers. This vast park is best known for the stunning blue nemophila flowers in spring …

Read More
train(Car) 20 minutes
SAZA COFFEE Main Store

SAZA COFFEE Main Store

SAZA COFFEE, launched in 1969, is an Ibaraki coffee brand comprised of 17 shop locations, two factories, and two farms. The staff travels to production areas in Brazil, Panama, and Kenya to personall…

Read More
train(Car) 25 minutes
stay

Check-in

Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito

train(On foot) 10 minutes
SyuSyu

Dinner

SyuSyu

At SyuSyu, they offer a wide variety of dishes made with ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture, including Wagyu beef (Hitachi beef), sashimi, and local vegetables. There is also an extensive selection…

Read More
train(On foot) 10 minutes
Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito

Overnight stay

Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito

This simple yet stylishly designed hotel is directly connected to Mito Station. It is only a minute walk from the expressway bus stop departing for Narita International Airport and Tokyo Station. T…

Read More

Day 3

stay

Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito

train(Car) 10 minutes
Kairakuen Garden

Kairakuen Garden

Kairakuen Garden is ranked among Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama. The garden was established in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth f…

Read More
train(Car) 1 hour and 10 minutes
Unagi Yasukawa

Lunch

Unagi Yasukawa

Unagi Yasukawa is located in Ushiku City, which is considered the birthplace of unadon (eel rice bowl). This long-established eel specialty shop was founded in 1978 with a history exceeding some 45 …

Read More
train(Car) 5 minutes
Ushiku Chateau

Ushiku Chateau

The winery was established in 1903, and the buildings were designed in a mixture of European and Japanese architectural styles. Ushiku Chateau is a pioneer of Japanese wineries. It is listed as a cul…

Read More
train(Car) 15 minutes
Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha Statue

Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha Statue

This giant Buddhist statue towers above the Ibaraki countryside. At 120 meters tall, it holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest standing bronze statue worldwide. Visitors can go inside the B…

Read More
train(Car) 10 minutes
Ami Premium Outlets

Ami Premium Outlets

This outlet mall opened in 2009 and houses exceptional brands from Japan and overseas. There are over 100 shops, so it's guaranteed you'll find something for everyone! There are also a variety of co…

Read More
train(Car) 1 hour
Mount Tsukuba Edoya Inn

Overnight stay

Mount Tsukuba Edoya Inn

Located in front of Mount Tsukuba Shrine, Edoya is a ryokan or traditional Japanese-style inn. The inn is popular with shrine visitors and hikers due to its convenient location. The open-air hot spri…

Read More

Day 4

Mount Tsukuba Edoya Inn

Leave the car at the hotel and go for a walk

Mount Tsukuba Edoya Inn

Located in front of Mount Tsukuba Shrine, Edoya is a ryokan or traditional Japanese-style inn. The inn is popular with shrine visitors and hikers due to its convenient location. The open-air hot spri…

Read More
train(On foot) Right nearby
Tsukubasan Shrine

Tsukubasan Shrine

Tsukuba Shrine is a venerable and historic shrine, believed to have approximately 3,000 years of history, dedicated to the sacred Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki. It is one of Japan's most prestigious and his…

Read More
train(Car) 25 minutes
Ibaraki Flower Park

Lunch in the park

Ibaraki Flower Park

This vast flower park in Ishioka City is well-known for its large and comprehensive rose garden. However, throughout the year, there are many other seasonal flowers, such as hydrangeas, sunflowers, w…

Read More
train(Car) 50 minutes
Ibaraki Airport

Return a rental car, proceed with check-in

Ibaraki Airport

Ibaraki Airport is a convenient regional airport. The airport offers international flights to Taipei City, Taiwan. In addition to its four direct domestic flights to Sapporo (Shin Chitose Airport)…

Read More

See More Plans