Ibaraki, home to a mild climate and wide-open spaces
close to Tokyo—a perfect place to live!
Ibaraki Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Kanto region. The eastern part of the prefecture includes a long coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. The north is dotted with various peaks and mountain ranges, including the Yamizo Mountains—home to the prefecture’s tallest peak, Mt. Yamizo—and the Kuji and Taga ranges. To the southeast are beautiful waterfront districts on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan, and Lake Kitaura. The southernmost part of Ibaraki is home to the Tone River, which has the largest watershed area in Japan and empties into the Pacific Ocean. Although Ibaraki is only the 24th largest Japanese prefecture in terms of area, it ranks 4th in terms of inhabitable land area (excluding forests and lakes). In addition to its image of rich natural environments, Ibaraki is also home to wide-open flat spaces.
Thanks to its mild climate, vast land area, and proximity to Japan’s major metropolitan area of Tokyo, Ibaraki is a major agricultural and manufacturing center. Agriculture is especially prominent, and Ibaraki is one of Japan’s leading food producing areas. In addition to consistently ranking toward the top in agricultural output, Ibaraki Prefecture also ranks first in harvesting and production of many agricultural and livestock products, including lotus root, Japanese mustard greens, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, melon, green peppers, chestnuts, and chicken eggs.
Ibaraki is famous for its natto (fermented soybeans), and the prefecture is Japan’s largest natto producer, but many other delicious foods are also available. Anglerfish hot pot is one of Ibaraki’s most popular winter dishes, with many people considering its popularity in the east equivalent to the popularity of pufferfish in the western part of the country. From December to February, the livers of anglerfish become enlarged, making them particularly delicious. The area is also responsible for 90% of the production of dried sweet potatoes in Japan. Ibaraki’s delicious dried sweet potatoes—made with sun-dried sweet potatoes—are additive-free and high in dietary fiber and minerals, so they are popular with people of all ages. Ibaraki also boasts the largest number of sake breweries in the Kanto region. Come and sample the wide variety of unique local sake available, made in Ibaraki’s bountiful natural environment with five distinct water sources.
For those looking to enjoy nature to the fullest, Ibaraki’s also offers Mt. Tsukuba, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains; Kairakuen, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens; Ryujin Gorge, with a majestic view from the Ryujin Suspension Bridge; and Hitachi Seaside Park, a vast park with extensive fields of seasonal flowers and plants. Other recommended sights in Ibaraki include Ushiku Daibutsu (Buddha), a Guinness World Record-holder as the tallest bronze statue in the world; Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine and the Kamiiso no Torii (an impressive Shinto gate) located on a reef on the Oarai Coast; and Kashima Jingu Shrine, the oldest shrine in the Kanto region.
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Ibaraki Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Kanto region. The eastern part of the prefecture includes a long coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. The north is dotted with various peaks and mountain ranges, including the Yamizo Mountains—home to the prefecture’s tallest peak, Mt. Yamizo—and the Kuji and Taga ranges. To the southeast are beautiful waterfront districts on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan, and Lake Kitaura. The southernmost part of Ibaraki is home to the Tone River, which has the largest watershed area in Japan and empties into the Pacific Ocean. Although Ibaraki is only the 24th largest Japanese prefecture in terms of area, it ranks 4th in terms of inhabitable land area (excluding forests and lakes). In addition to its image of rich natural environments, Ibaraki is also home to wide-open flat spaces.
Thanks to its mild climate, vast land area, and proximity to Japan’s major metropolitan area of Tokyo, Ibaraki is a major agricultural and manufacturing center. Agriculture is especially prominent, and Ibaraki is one of Japan’s leading food producing areas. In addition to consistently ranking toward the top in agricultural output, Ibaraki Prefecture also ranks first in harvesting and production of many agricultural and livestock products, including lotus root, Japanese mustard greens, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, melon, green peppers, chestnuts, and chicken eggs.
Ibaraki is famous for its natto (fermented soybeans), and the prefecture is Japan’s largest natto producer, but many other delicious foods are also available. Anglerfish hot pot is one of Ibaraki’s most popular winter dishes, with many people considering its popularity in the east equivalent to the popularity of pufferfish in the western part of the country. From December to February, the livers of anglerfish become enlarged, making them particularly delicious. The area is also responsible for 90% of the production of dried sweet potatoes in Japan. Ibaraki’s delicious dried sweet potatoes—made with sun-dried sweet potatoes—are additive-free and high in dietary fiber and minerals, so they are popular with people of all ages. Ibaraki also boasts the largest number of sake breweries in the Kanto region. Come and sample the wide variety of unique local sake available, made in Ibaraki’s bountiful natural environment with five distinct water sources.
For those looking to enjoy nature to the fullest, Ibaraki’s also offers Mt. Tsukuba, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains; Kairakuen, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens; Ryujin Gorge, with a majestic view from the Ryujin Suspension Bridge; and Hitachi Seaside Park, a vast park with extensive fields of seasonal flowers and plants. Other recommended sights in Ibaraki include Ushiku Daibutsu (Buddha), a Guinness World Record-holder as the tallest bronze statue in the world; Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine and the Kamiiso no Torii (an impressive Shinto gate) located on a reef on the Oarai Coast; and Kashima Jingu Shrine, the oldest shrine in the Kanto region.
