Favorites English(US) USD

DEEPLOG
  • Media TOP
  • [Ibaraki ]Day trip from Tokyo metropolitan area - Hitachinaka

[Ibaraki ]Day trip from Tokyo metropolitan area - Hitachinaka

[Ibaraki ]Day trip from Tokyo metropolitan area - Hitachinaka
facebook twitter
Popular Tourist Spots Seafood Spots with incredible view Nature

2024-01-19

National Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachinaka is a place where you can enjoy seasonal nature and seafood. Since it is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area by car, bus, or train, it is attracting attention as a one-day trip spot.
In this article, we picked up popular sightseeing and outing spots that you should definitely mention when you visit Hitachinaka, and came up with a recommended sightseeing route for a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
If you are planning a road trip to enjoy nature and seafood, or if you are planning to visit Hitachinaka, please refer to this article for your sightseeing!

Author of this article

Table of Contents

  1. 1.
    [9:00 ]Limited Express "Tokiwa "to Ibaraki
    1. 1-1.
      Pitch black and comfortable interior
  3. 2.
    [11:00 ]Rent a car and leave!
    1. 2-1.
      Naka Minato Fish Market
      1. 2-2.
        Hitachinaka Seaside Railway
      3. 2-3.
        Aqua World Ibaraki Ooara Aquarium
      5. 2-4.
        Ajigaura Beach
      7. 2-5.
        Former Shrine of Oarai Los Angeles
      9. 3.
        [13:00 ]Stroll at Hitachi-Kaihin Park
        1. 3-1.
          Flowers of the Seasons
        3. 3-2.
          amusement park
      11. 4.
        [19:30 ]Return home by Limited Express Hitachi
      13. 5.
        summary

      [9:00 ]Limited Express "Tokiwa "to Ibaraki



      As JR East's newest limited express train, it was developed with themes such as safety and comfort, and consideration for business use.

      Operating between Shinagawa, Tokyo, and Ueno, and between Mito, Iwato, and Sendai, it is used not only for business trips and sightseeing from Tokyo to the Tohoku region, but also as a commuter train from the Tohoku region to Tokyo.

      This express train is a Joban Line express train, which is precisely the line between Nippori and Iwanuma.
      These limited express trains departing from Shinagawa/Ueno are "Hitachi-go "and "Tokiwa-go ".
      Please use "Hitachi "to Sendai and Iwaki and "Tokiwa "to Mito and Katsuta.

      Pitch black and comfortable interior

      Chairs in the car

      With its black reclining seats, the ordinary car has a stylish interior that is rare among conventional limited express trains. The black seats feature a pattern that is said to represent the swells of Kasumigaura.

      Each seat is equipped with an electrical outlet on the armrest, which can be conveniently used to operate a PC or charge a smartphone in the car.

      While many trains have outlets under the window or under the seat in front of you, the outlets on the armrests of each seat are attractive because they are easy to use even when the table is down.

      Of course, you can also use JR East's free Wi-Fi service "JR-EAST FREE Wi-Fi "

      [11:00 ]Rent a car and leave!

      The Hitachinaka area offers a variety of tourist attractions.
      Depending on the purpose of your trip and the preferences of your members, you can choose from a number of sights to enjoy your lunchtime sightseeing time!

      Naka Minato Fish Market

      Naka Minato Osakana Market

      This fish market is located about 10 minutes from Nakaminato Station.
      There are many seafood stores that sell fresh fish, processed products, and dried foods such as mirinboshi (dried fish sausage) landed at the fishing port in Naka Minato, as well as restaurants where you can enjoy seafood rice bowls and anko-nabe, a winter-only dish.

      ▲Seafood Don

      There are many restaurants in the market where you can enjoy various kinds of kaisendon (seafood bowls), but be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit, as you can expect to see long lines during lunch hours on weekends and holidays.

      The website provides a seasonal list of fish from Naka Minato, so it is recommended that you know in advance when the items you are looking for are available for purchase before visiting.

      "Facility Information "
      Name: Nakaminato Osakana Market
      Address: 19-8 Minato-Honmachi, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
      Hours of operation: Vary according to each store
      Closed: Varies according to each store
      Access:
      From Tokyo: Joban Expressway (Tokyo - Tomobe JCT - Hitachinaka I.C.) - Exit at the I.C. and turn left - Route 245 (Nakaminato)
      From Tochigi or Gunma/Kita Kanto Expressway (Utsunomiya-Hitachinaka I.C.)-Route 245 (Nakaminato)
      ○JR Joban Line (Katsuta Station) - Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway Minato Line (Nakaminato Station) 10 min.
      Parking: Available (Temporary free parking is available during peak season, but it is very crowded. Use of nearby coin-operated parking lots or public transportation is recommended.)
      URL：http://www.nakaminato-osakanaichiba.jp/

      Hitachinaka Seaside Railway




      It operates a total of 11 stations, 14.3 km from Katsuta Station to Ajigaura Station. "Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway ".

      Along the line, there are also tourist attractions such as the National Hitachi Seaside Park, Nakaminato Osakana Market, and Aqua World Oarai Aquarium.

      The train trip offers views of rice paddy fields all around, historical cityscapes, and parks where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons.

      There are also some great free tickets available, such as the "Minato Line One-Day Free Ticket ", which allows you to freely ride within the Minato Line for one day.

      "Facility Information "
      Name: Hitachinaka Seaside Railway
      Address: 22-2 Shakamachi, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan Nakaminato Station
      Hours: [Nakaminato Station ][weekdays] 7:00-19:00, [weekends & holidays] 8:30-17:30
      URL：http://www.hitachinaka-rail.co.jp/

      Aqua World Ibaraki Ooara Aquarium



      The Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium is famous for being the number one "shark breeding facility "with 59 different species of sharks.
      It is built on the coast near Naka River, making it easily accessible from other tourist attractions. With 68,800 freshwater and saltwater fish of 580 species, both tropical and frigid, in captivity, visitors will feel satisfied enough to spend a whole day here.
      The park is divided into the Encounter Sea Zone, Dark Sea Zone, World Sea Zone, Museum Zone, Dolphins & Deer Ocean Live, Aqua Watching, Forest & River Zone, Encounter Deck, Ocean Zone, and Market Place, where visitors can interact with various marine animals.
      Dolphin shows, feeding shows, and penguin shows are also part of the attraction. Please go and see them!

      "Facility Information "
      Name: Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium
      Address: 8252-3, Isohama-cho, Oarai-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki, 311-1301, Japan
      Phone number: 029-267-5151
      Hours: Open: 9:00-17:00, last admission at 16:00
      Open: 9:00-18:00 Golden Week in May and summer, last admission until 17:00
      Closed: 4th Monday and Tuesday in June and the 4th Monday and Tuesday in December
      Access: 15 minutes from Mito Oarai IC by car.
      URL：https://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/

      Ajigaura Beach



      The arc-shaped sandy beach stretches approximately 1.5 km from north to south, and is a 5-minute walk from Ajigaura Station, providing excellent access to the beach.
      It is one of the most popular beaches in Ibaraki Prefecture and is crowded with many people every summer. It is well-equipped with parking lots, restrooms, beach houses, and other facilities.
      In the vicinity, there are "National Hitachi Seaside Park "and many large shopping malls, lodging facilities, one-day hot springs, and seafood restaurants, so please visit them during your sightseeing in Hitachinaka.

      "Facility Information "
      Name: Ajigaura Beach
      Address: Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki
      Hours of Operation: [Surveillance and First Aid Station ]8:00 - 16:00
      Regular holiday: No holiday during the period (mid-July to mid-August)
      Phone number: 029-273-0116

      Former Shrine of Oarai Los Angeles

      Torii of the shrine around 18:00 at night

      The spectacular view of the torii gate that appears to float in the sea is the talk of the town. "Oarai Isomae Shrine ".
      On various travel websites and social networking sites, you will often see romantic and wildly spectacular photos of a torii gate floating on the sea with the sun coming up to it. This sun is "morning sun ".
      Please note that if you visit at night to see the setting sun, you will not be able to see that scene.



      The torii gate, which is battered by the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean but still looks divine, is an inspiring sight that will move your heart!
      If you visit at night, you can see the torii gate standing on the sea at night, which is different from the view during the daytime.

      [13:00 ]Stroll at Hitachi-Kaihin Park

      Kochia in bloom on Miharashi Hill

      A national park located in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
      At approximately 200 hectares, it is a very large site, with large-scale flower gardens located throughout the park.
      Nemophila in early summer and kochia in autumn are especially popular, and are often featured on SNS and various travel websites.
      The park also has a cycling course and BBQ area, making it a place where families can enjoy themselves all day long.

      Flowers of the Seasons

      Cosmos and kochia around October

      National Hitachi Seaside Park is popular for its many plants in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
      In spring, rape blossoms, plums, narcissus, and roses are in full bloom, and the blue path of nemophila is very famous at Miharashi Hill.
      In summer, lavender, green kochia, and sunflowers are in full bloom.
      In autumn, pampas grass, azaleas, buckwheat, cosmos, etc. are in full bloom, and kochia in red color are very famous at Miharashi Hill.
      In winter, the area is famous for its ice tulips and waxwings, and its avenue of metasequoia trees.
      Please visit the National Hitachi Park where you can see beautiful plants from season to season!

      amusement park



      In addition to the flower garden, the park has an amusement park (Pleasure Garden) where children and other visitors can have fun.
      Although there are age and height restrictions for some attractions, most rides can be used with an accompanying passenger.
      The Giant Ferris Wheel "Blue Eyes "is especially popular. You can look down on the spacious park from the top of the train, so be sure to take a ride.


      "Facility Information "
      Name: National Hitachi Seaside Park
      Address: 605-4, Aza-Onuma, Mawata, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
      Hours: 9:30-17:00 (varies according to season)
      Closed: Tuesdays (or the weekday immediately following a national holiday), 12/31-1/1, Feb. 1st Mon-Fri.
      Phone number: 029-2659-001

      [19:30 ]Return home by Limited Express Hitachi



      The Joban Line limited express, which we also used on the way there, features a new seating service. "There is no division between reserved seats ""and non-reserved seats ", and all seats in regular cars are reserved seats.
      However, two types of tickets are available: "seat reserved tickets "and "seat unassigned tickets ".

      The mystery is deepened by the fact that the train is supposed to have all seats reserved, but reserved seat-view tickets are on sale.

      This new seating system was created for the convenience of business travelers and daily commuter train passengers.

      If you have a "seat unassigned ticket "where no seat is assigned, you may sit in any available seat. However, if someone with a seat reservation ticket gets on the train, you must give up your seat.
      Each seat is equipped with a lamp, and the color of this lamp indicates whether the seat is vacant or if someone is coming on board.

      Seats with red lamps will not be occupied by people with reserved seat tickets for the time being. Therefore, if you do not have a seat assignment, sit in a seat with a red light.

      However, it does not mean that no one with a reserved seat ticket for that seat will get on the train all the time. When the light turns yellow, you will soon enter a section where reserved-seat tickets have already been sold, and you should move to another seat where the light is red.

      Note that the express fare is the same for both seat-assigned and seat-unassigned tickets, so we recommend that you get your seat assignment as soon as possible.

      One way to enjoy sightseeing might be to purchase a ticket with a reserved seat view and enjoy sightseeing without worrying about the return time.

      summary

      The Hitachinaka area is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area. In addition to the places introduced in this article, there are many other tourist attractions such as Mentai Park Oarai and Haimo Shrine.
      Why don't you plan a trip to experience the seasons and nature while enjoying the feeling of easy travel? Please visit Hitachinaka area.

      facebook twitter

      Recommended articles