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
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 MoreUme 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 MoreCheck-in
Oarai Hotel
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 MoreOvernight 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 MoreDay 2
Oarai Hotel
Leave the car at the hotel and go for a walk
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 MoreAqua 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 MoreLunch
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 MoreHoshiimo 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 MoreHoshiimo 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 MoreHitachi 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 MoreSAZA 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 MoreCheck-in
Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito
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 MoreOvernight 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 MoreDay 3
Hotel Terrace the Garden Mito
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 MoreLunch
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 MoreUshiku 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 MoreUshiku 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 MoreAmi 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 MoreOvernight 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 MoreDay 4
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 MoreTsukubasan 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 MoreLunch 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 MoreReturn 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