Ibaraki Prefecture

Trekking Tour to Faith, Ancient Paths and the Falls from Hitachi

Trekking Tour to Faith, Ancient Paths and the Falls from Hitachi

Just two hours from Tokyo, Hitachi is your gateway to nature and tradition. Start at JR Hitachi Station, a seaside stop with stunning Pacific Ocean views. Visit the sacred Oiwa Shrine, walk peaceful forest trails, and receive a special blessing. Relax afterward in a soothing onsen. On day two, marvel at Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s three great waterfalls, as you hike serene paths and admire its cascades. Stroll through Daigo’s nostalgic streets, visiting cozy cafés and shops. Finally, ride a local train along the Kuji River, enjoying mountain views on your way to Mito—the perfect end to this 2-day escape. Data: The itinerary can be flexibly adjusted depending on the physical condition and experience of the guests and the weather on the day. Cancelled if more than 2 mm of precipitation is expected. The course may be changed due to the weather on the day or if the guide deems it necessary.　 Total walking distance:10.5km Ascent:759m Descent:761m Total walking time: 8 hours

Kasama yaki handmade pottery experience

Kasama yaki handmade pottery experience

・You will have the chance to try "tehineri"(clay forming by hand), a traditional technique handed down from the Jomon period(about 3,000 years ago), at a kiln that was established in 1796. ・Make your choice of bowls, plates, cups etc. After learning from and seeing an example from your instructor, you will get to make a piece with your own hands. ・After you're done making your piece, we will glaze and fire it for you, which will take about two months to complete. We will then send you your finished Kasama-yaki piece by SAL(Surface Air Lifted) mail.

Full-Day Private Adventure in Ibaraki and Fukuroda Waterfalls

Full-Day Private Adventure in Ibaraki and Fukuroda Waterfalls

Meet your Nationally licensed English speaking guide in Tokyo, and move to Northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture in a chartered private car. At Oiwa shrine, a shrine maiden (Miko) will explain about the shrine premises. Enjoy a 2-hour mountain hiking up to the top of Mt. Oiwa. With 188 Shinto Gods and Goddesses enshrined, this mountain has been a mountain of faith, visited by many ascetic monks and Yamabushi since ancient times. Try “Taki-gyo”, meditation under a waterfall. It is truly refreshing and soothing to escape from the busyness of everyday life and to be hit by the randomly falling water. Meditate freely with your own style. You might want to stay there forever. Fukuroda Waterfalls Visit larger waterfall, Fukuroda Waterfalls. It is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan.

Full-Day Private Adventure in Ibaraki and Fukuroda Waterfalls

Private Adventure Tour in Northern Ibaraki and Washi Paper Making

Meet a Nationally licensed English speaking guide in Tokyo, and move to Northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture in a chartered private car. At Oiwa shrine, a shrine maiden (Miko) will explain about the shrine premises. Enjoy a 2-hour mountain hiking up to the top of Mt. Oiwa. With 188 shinto gods and goddesses enshrined, Mt. Oiwa has been a mountain of faith, visited by many ascetic monks and Yamabushi since ancient times. Try “Taki-gyo”, meditation under a waterfall. It is truly refreshing and soothing to escape from the busyness of everyday life and to be hit by the randomly falling water. Meditate freely with your own style. You might want to stay there forever. Marvel at the unique demonstration by the owner to understand the unique features including the durability of washi papers followed by your own washi-paper making/painting experience.

Making eco-hats out of waste plastic bottles in Ibaraki

Making eco-hats out of waste plastic bottles in Ibaraki

Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture is home to the famous National Hitachi Seaside Park, where you can enjoy the four seasons with nemophilas and kochias.　 The experience venue is located almost halfway between Katsuta Station and the seaside park, so it is possible either on the way to or from sightseeing. SDGS “Mottainai”! PET bottle caps that you used to throw away after drinking can be turned into wonderful handmade works if you have the right materials and ideas. Transform them into your favorite hats in your favorite colors, including colorful twine and ribbons! The teacher, a former art teacher and accessory artist, will teach you in an easy-to-understand and detailed manner, so beginners will not have to worry. You can take home as a souvenir as a wonderful memory of your trip to Japan. We hope you will try it!

Easy Kimono Experience in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki

Easy Kimono Experience in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki

Easy Kimono Experience: Many people find ordinary kimonos painful because they are tied with strings and layered. This kimono is an original kimono developed to make it possible to look perfect and beautiful without layering. It can be put on over Western clothes in about 5 minutes. It is not painful because it uses elastic and Velcro (hook and loop fastener). *Sorry, there is no wheelchair access route to the venue.

Private Sake Brewery Tour and Shinran Temple Visit

Private Sake Brewery Tour and Shinran Temple Visit

In Inada area of Kasama city, you can feel and learn Japanese traditional culture with my guiding. Will guide you to Inada Shrine, Sainenji Temple, and Isokura Sake Brewery by 3-hour walking. Sainen-ji is a temple that has its roots in the "Inada no Souan" where SHINRAN, a founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect, lived for about 20 years during his missionary work in eastern Japan. The thatched-roof Sanmon gate was built in the 14th century and is a valuable item that survived the fire. You can enter the main hall of the temple and see a wonderful view of a statue of Amida Buddha, SHINRAN, and his wife Eshinni. In front of the main hall, you can see an 800-year-old ginkgo tree with leaves that SHINRAN planted . Since 1868, Isokura Brewery has produced Japanese sake "Inasato" using local water and rice. You can enjoy and learn how to make sake with traditional methods during the tour and try sake tasting at the shop.