Ibaraki has the dubious distinction of being Japan’s least-loved prefecture, and among those with the fewest tourists. This is sad for many reasons, not least of which because of how close Mito (the prefectural capital) is to Tokyo.
Of course, there’s also the reality that Ibaraki-ken is just not that bad. Sure, it’s no Shizuoka or even Yamaguchi, but there are plenty of amazing things to see and do here.
The purpose of this Ibaraki travel guide, to be sure, is both to inform you about all of Ibaraki’s attractions, and to inspire you to make the journey there if you’re still on the fence (or, as is more often the case for foreign visitors, you simply haven’t ever considered going).
Where to Stay in Ibaraki
I’ll be frank: Ibaraki hotels leave something to be desired. This is true especially in Mito—the top-rated Mito Sannomaru Hotel smells like decades of smoke, in spite of ostensibly being a non-smoking property—but also in more rural parts of the prefecture. There are charming places like Hitachinaka Villa Dan in Hitachinaka, though these are only really practical if you use your base in Mito to explore Hitachi Seaside Park.
It’s for this reason that I often recommend you see Ibaraki only on a day trip—or, if you do decide to stay overnight, that you only do so for a single night. This might sound cynical, but I’ll explain more about why I feel this way in a minute. An alternative is to base yourself somewhere like Utsunomiya, Tochigi or Choshi, Chiba, and (assuming you have a car) explore Ibaraki-ken from there.
Things to Do in Ibaraki Prefecture
Visit Hitachi Seaside Park
Of all the Ibaraki attractions on offer, Hitachi Seaside Park is by far the most famous—I mean, assuming you visit in mid-April to see the nemophila, or potentially in October or November to see some peculiar foliage. In other times of the year, to be perfectly frank, it’s superfluous or even forgettable.
See Kairaku-en in all its seasons
A more evergreen essential addition to your Ibaraki itinerary is Kairaku-en—well, kind of. On one hand, this is well-known as one of Japan’s “three great gardens,” and is beautiful 365 days per year. On the other hand, it’s best-known in early March, when plum blossoms bloom, and in mid-April for its azaleas.
Say a prayer at Ushiku Daibutsu
Continuing the seasonal theme, I must say that I was slightly disappointed when I turned up to Ushiku Daibutsu (one of Japan’s tallest standing Buddha statues) to find its sakura completely green (though the shibazakura phlox were a nice consolation prize). Still, the majesty of the structure means you should enjoy it whenever you go.
Continue southward to Chiba
I realize this is an Ibaraki travel guide, but the reality is that Ibaraki’s southern neighbor Chiba is a much bigger tourist draw—and not just because of Narita Airport. Marvel at the “suspended” monorail in Chiba City, watch the sunset behind Mt. Fuji from Tateayama (or, on a clear day, Choshi) or ascend sacred Mt. Nokogiri.
Or northward to Fukushima
Likewise, Fukushima has gained significantly in notoriety in the wake of the tragedy now associated with it. On the other hand, I’d say that the inland parts of the prefecture (in other words, the ones furthest from Ibaraki-ken) are the most popular, with the area of Aizu-wakamatsu especially appealing to most travelers.
How Long Should You Stay in Ibaraki?
As I foreshadowed above, the practical reality—namely, related to accommodation—is that it often isn’t comfortable to stay multiple days in Ibaraki, even though you could of course find enough things to do there to occupy your time. I mean, unless you don’t mind staying far away from the center of things, or sleeping in a room infused with decades of cigarette smoke.
The other factor, of course, that often keeps the answer for how many days in Ibaraki close to one? It’s simply so close to Tokyo, with Mito Station between 70-90 minutes away from both Tokyo Station and Ueno Station by Limited Express train. Unless you plan to explore Ibaraki far outside of Mito City, you may not even have a reason to stay longer than a full day in the city.
Other FAQ About Visiting Ibaraki
What is Ibaraki famous for?
Ibaraki is more infamous than famous: On several occasions, it’s been recognized as the least-loved prefecture in Japan. However, to the extent that it is famous, the two places people associate most with it at Kairaku-en garden and Hitachi Seaside Park.
What is the biggest city in Ibaraki?
Mito is the biggest city in Ibaraki, and also its prefectural capital. However, it’s far from a “big city” but Japanese standards, with just 268,000 residents as of 2024, and no light rail, subways or trams within the city center. It feels more like a town than a city, to be honest.
Does Ibaraki, Japan have snow?
It’s technically possible for Ibaraki to get snow in the winter; this happens 1-2 times per year on average. However, like Tokyo and its adjacent Chiba prefecture, Ibaraki stays mild and mostly sunny during the winter, which if anything makes it a nice respite from the snowier regions of Japan.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Ibaraki travel guide helpful. If you’ve previously considering coming here, I hope the information I provide about things to do and see pushes you over the edge, whether you drive up from Chiba for the day or come from Tokyo by train. If you didn’t know (or care) that Ibaraki-ken existed in the first place, then inspiration is the goal—I hope I plant a seed inside your mind and spirit, and that one day is sprouts, ideally into one of the baby-blue nemophila that bloom at Hitachi Seaside Park every April. Need a harder push? Consider hiring me to plan your Japan itinerary!
