A 3-Day, 2-Night Road Trip: Explore Stunning Autumn Scenery and Local Cuisine
From mid to late October, the kochia at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture turn bright red, attracting many visitors. During this time, Japan's oldest chrysanthemum festival at Kasama Inari Shrine and the autumn roses at Ibaraki Flower Park can also be enjoyed. In addition, at Lake Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan, visitors can observe the traditional fishing boats, Hobikisen—a seasonal spectacle from summer to autumn—viewed from a sightseeing boat running alongside them.
For meals, savor fresh seafood and dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. In the evenings, relax surrounded by nature, with glamping at Ibaraki Flower Park and staying in a traditional Japanese-style house by the Kasumigaura lakeshore.
This 3-day, 2-night road trip itinerary, starting from Narita Airport, offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the middle of Japanese autumn.
2 night, 3 days
Day 1
Rent a car
Narita Airport
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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 …
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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…
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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, kn…
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Kuri no Ie
This cafe serves an original Mont Blanc cake crafted by a pastry chef with years of experience at three-star Michelin restaurants in Paris and luxury hotels in Macau. While Mont Blanc is typically ma…
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Overnight stay
Camping & Resort Hanayasatoyama
Hanayasatoyama is a glamping facility located on a hill in the Ibaraki Flower Park, famous for its roses. Surrounded by the serene nature of the mountains, the accommodation includes the wooden circu…
Read MoreDay 2
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Camping & Resort Hanayasatoyama
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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…
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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 Whi…
Read MoreWhile sightseeing boats for viewing the traditional fishing boats, Hobikisen, operate in multiple locations, this itinerary is based at the Namegata City Tourist Product Center.
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Fujimizuka Kofun Park
Fujimizuka Kofun Park is on a hill that overlooks Lake Kasumigaura. Within the park there are several tumuli (burial mounds) mainly constructed druing the Kofun period (mainly between the 3rd and 7th…
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Overnight stay
Guesthouse Kominka Eguchiya
Eguchiya Guesthouse is located on the shores of Kasumigaura, Japan's second-largest lake. Guests have the opportunity to stay in a beautifully renovated 150-year-old wooden house, offering stunning l…
Read MoreDay 3
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Guesthouse Kominka Eguchiya
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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…
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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…
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Lunch
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…
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Return the rental car
Tokyo Station