Outdoor Adventures and Art in Northern Ibaraki: A 2-Day Road Trip Exploring Spiritual Getaways, teamLab’s Wonders, and More
The Pacific coastal region of northern Ibaraki is blessed with natural beauty, rich culture, and gourmet spots offering fresh seafood. The scenic landscapes of Hananuki Gorge and the stunning ocean views provide a soothing natural charm.
The cultural side is represented by historic shrines adorned with old carvings, the former residence and memorial museum of Okakura Tenshin, a Meiji-era literary figure known internationally as the author of The Book of Tea, and much more.
This area is also a place to enjoy both the natural beauty and the creativity of artists, such as teamLab's exhibition, Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces, where nature and art utilizing digital technology are seamlessly integrated.
For accommodation, visitors can stay at a hotel with an onsen (hot spring) overlooking the Pacific Ocean along the coastline.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and draw inspiration from nature, art, and fine food in northern Ibaraki.
Nature
Travel by Car
Other
SpringSummerAutumn
2 Days, 1 Night
2025.02.17
Day 1

Tokyo Station
(Train) About 1 hour and 40 minutes
Rent a car near the station
Hitachi Station
(Car) 20 minutes
Lunch
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station), Hitachi Fish Center
Hitachi Fish Center sells fresh seafood caught at the neighboring Kuji Fishing Port. Spring is synonymous with yellowtail, tuna in autumn, and anglerfish and crab during the winter months. In addit…
Read More
(Car) 40 minutes
Oiwa Shrine
While the exact age of Oiwa Shrine is unknown, the presence of religious remains from the Jomon Era (around 3500-4500 years ago) appears to have occurred here from ancient times. The shrine is also m…
Read More
(Car) 20 minutes
Hananuki Gorge
This scenic gorge area stretches from the Hananuki Dam to the Kotakizawa Camp Site. The gorge's most famous attraction is the stunning Shiomi Falls Suspension Bridge. There are also plenty of hiking…
Read More
(Car) 40 minutes
teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces
Opened in 2024, the "Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces" is an interactive art exhibition set in the forest and on the former terraced rice fields of Kitaibaraki City, near the Izura Coast. The exhibi…
Read More
(Car) Right nearby
Overnight stay
Itsuura Kanko Hotel
Situated near the Rokkakudo on the spectacular Izura Coast, Itsura Kanko Hotel consists of its main building, the Japanese-style "Honkan," and the annex building "Taikanso." The guest rooms feature d…
Read MoreDay 2

Itsuura Kanko Hotel
(On foot) Right nearby
Rokkakudo
Rokkakudo was designed during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) by Tenshin Okakura, a forerunner of the Japanese modern art movement. This red hexagonal building is also known as the "Kanrantei" or "place fo…
Read More
(Car) Right nearby
Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Ibaraki
The Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art is located in picturesque Izura. The area is renowned for its beautiful winding coastline, cliffs, and pine forests. It has been recognized as one of the top 100 be…
Read More
(Car) 35 minutes
Fishing, lunch
Masubuchi Gyoen
Masubuchi Gyoen is a restaurant with 50 years of history, where customers can catch fish and have it cooked on-site. The charming wooden lodge, located in northern Ibaraki and surrounded by greene…
Read More
(Car) Right nearby
Hanazono Shrine
Hanazono Shrine, founded in 795, is surrounded by the lush greenery of the mountains and the sound of babbling streams. The buildings feature motifs of the monkey deity worshipped at the shrine. As …
Read More
(Car) 40 minutes
Takadokohama Beach
This scenic spot, located on the northern side of Ibaraki, features two inlets nestled between steep sea cliffs. The beach is one of the "100 Best Seaside Spots in Japan" and is also known as an e…
Read More
(Car) 30 minutes
Return the rental car
Hitachi Station
(On foot) Right nearby
Dinner
SEA BiRDS CAFE
Seabird's Café, adjacent to Hitachi Station, features large windows that offer a beautiful panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the Asahi Overpass along the coastline. The café and station, desig…
Read More
(On foot) Right nearby
Hitachi Station
(Train) About 1 hour and 40 minutes
Tokyo Station
