In this post, I want to talk about some of the sights Ibaraki Prefecture has to offer. I think people can sometimes become so infatuated with Tokyo, that they forget that there is more to Japan than Tokyo and other overpopulated cities like it. However, if you’re looking to gain real experience, and to study and practice Japanese while living outside of the big touristy areas in Japan, this program will be well suited for you. Okay, I’ll start the actual post now, haha.
Here are some spots in Ibaraki to check out!
Tsuchiura
Every year on the first Saturday of October, Tsuchiura holds a national fireworks competition. This competition is so famous, that people come from all over Japan (and many foreign tourists come as well!) to see the performances. It’s a really amazing experience, and everyone brings tarps to sit on while watching the fireworks and eating food from the various food stalls.
Here’s a website with an English description that explains a little more behind the history of the event (as well as some incredible pictures):
Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition
Kita-Ibaraki (North Ibaraki)
I visited this area as part of a free tour given by people who wanted to improve their skills as English guides, and honestly felt like I could live here forever. If you ever get the chance to go up here, I strongly recommend it. We were introduced to Jōrenji Temple, which has a thatched roof (which is becoming rarer nowadays), as well as the Izura Coast. None of these photos have been retouched in any way, so you can imagine what it was like in person. It looked like a real life painting.
Kasama City
It takes about half an hour to get from Mito Station to Kasama Station, and I’d say it’s worth a visit at least once when you’re in Ibaraki. Kasama is famous for being a local art and pottery town, and you can find art pieces everywhere. If you like pottery, chances are you’ll be able to find a unique piece here. Some of the pottery designs have been passed down for over 300 years! Additionally, there’s a park called Kasama Geijutsu-no-mori, which is incredibly beautiful in the fall (these pictures are from late November). There’s also a long slide in the park, which was a lot of fun!
Hitachi-Ota
This is an area of Ibaraki that you’ll be able to see thanks to your “Experiencing Japan” class. Hitachi-Ota is home to the Ryujin Otsuribashi Bridge, which is known for being the longest pedestrian suspension bridge on Japan’s main island. The bridge is a popular spot for bungee jumpers, though you’ll have to make a reservation in advance if you want to try. While in Hitachi-Ota for the class, you can also learn how to make soba noodles (please look forward to the post where I talk more in depth about the trips we took for this class!).
Hitachinaka Seaside Park
This park is about 40 minutes away from Mito Station, and is famous for its flowers and various other plants. In the spring, Nemophila bloom by the thousands (the blue flowers in the picture below), but during your time at Tokiwa, it’s the Kochia that will draw everyone’s attention. Although normally green, these shrubs change to a vibrant red in the fall, and the best time to see them is around mid-October. At around the same time, you can catch the Kochia Carnival (from mid-September to mid/late-October), and enjoy some of the good food booths and entertainment they have at the park as well.
The places I mentioned in this post are only a taste of all the hidden gems in Ibaraki. If you get the chance, be sure to check out the Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha (one of the top five tallest statues in the world), Fukuroda no Taki (one of the top three famous waterfalls in Japan), and Oarai (home to the Aqua World aquarium, and Oarai Isosaki Shrine). I’m sure that by the time the program ends, there will still be so many places in Ibaraki you want to visit, as that was the way all of us felt as well. So I encourage you to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity you get to explore Ibaraki!
Tokiwa University Exchange Program 