20 Parks in Ibaraki worth your time

A hillside zoo in Hitachi City housing 100 species with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and interactive animal areas.

What it is

• A municipal zoo located within Kamine Park that first opened in 1957.
• Home to approximately 100 different species of animals from around the world.
• The site of the world's first recorded birth of twin hippopotamuses in 1980.
• A filming location used for the live-action movie adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service.

What to see

• Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the elevated zoo grounds.
• A dedicated children's zoo designed for touching and interacting with small animals.
• A variety of wildlife supported by the local Mineko Club volunteer group.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the year.
• The facility is closed only during the New Year holiday period.

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a local bus from the JR Hitachi Station.

Official site

www.city.hitachi.lg.jp

Read more about Hitachi Kamine Zoo

Ishioka Sports Park offers modern athletic facilities for sports enthusiasts.

What it is

• A sports complex in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• It includes a track and field stadium, gymnasium, and multi-purpose field.
• The gymnasium was completed in May 1990.
• The stadium was completed in September 1993.

What to see

• A Class 3 certified athletic stadium.
• Stadium track is 400m long with 8 lanes.
• Stadium has a capacity of 2,500 people.
• Two-story reinforced concrete gymnasium building.
• Gymnasium main arena is 1751.68 square meters.
• Gymnasium has 1,680 spectator seats.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from Chiyoda-Ishioka IC.

Read more about Ishioka Sports Park

Japan's first botanical garden with accommodation, reopening in 2025 with new facilities.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1981, currently undergoing renovation.
• Will become The Botanical Resort Rinne in 2025.
• Japan's first botanical garden where visitors can stay.

What to see

• Covers an area of about 12 hectares.
• New accommodation and hot spring facilities.
• A restaurant and vanilla-themed cafe.
• Related facilities: Kenmin no Mori, Mori no Culture Center, Mushroom Hakushikan.

When to go

• Grand opening scheduled for November 29, 2025.
• Closed temporarily from June 2024 for renovation.

Address

〒311-0122　茨城県那珂市戸4369-1 Map

Official site

www.ibaraki-shokubutuen.jp

Read more about Ibaraki Botanical Garden

Kamine Park offers diverse attractions, from a zoo to night views, making it a worthwhile stop.

What it is

• A large park complex in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1957 with a zoo and amusement park.
• Includes a museum, pool, and music hall.
• Recognized as a Natural Night View Heritage site.

What to see

• Kamine Park Zoo and Amusement Park.
• Hitachi City Local Museum.
• Kamine Leisure Land amusement park.
• Kamine Municipal Pool.
• Yoshida Tadashi Music Memorial Hall.
• Night views from the park.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms, one of Japan's Top 100 spots.
• Evenings for the Natural Night View Heritage site.

Official site

kaminepark.or.jp

Read more about Kamine Park

See 500 iris species and traditional boat events at this free garden.

What it is

• A park in Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Main venue for the Suigō Itako Iris Festival.
• Opened in 1976, renamed in 2013.
• Admission is free, open all day, every day.

What to see

• About 500 species of irises.
• Itako-Gasa Monument.
• 'Itako Hanayome-san' Monument.
• Traditional 'Yomeiribune' boat events during festival.

When to go

• Best time to visit is mid-June.
• Visit during the Suigō Itako Iris Festival.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from JR Kashima Line Itako Station.

Official site

www.city.itako.lg.jp

Read more about Suigō Itako Iris Garden

Hirosawa City offers diverse museums, a golf course, and unique accommodations across a vast complex.

What it is

• A large complex facility in Chikusei City.
• Preserves and exhibits railway vehicles and aircraft.
• Owned and operated by the Hirosawa Group.
• Opened in 2021 with the Hirosawa Museum.

What to see

• Hirosawa Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, with 2500 art pieces.
• Yumenova, a land, sea, air, and space museum opened in 2024.
• Kohaku Hirosawa Aviation Museum, co-established with a national museum.
• Rail Park exhibits 11 railway vehicles.
• Golf course and barbecue area.
• Lodges, dome houses, and an RV park for accommodation.

Official site

www.shimodate.jp

Read more about The Hirosawa City

A large plum grove at Mount Tsukuba's base, offering beautiful blossoms and views.

What it is

• A plum grove operated by Tsukuba City.
• Established in 1966 at the foot of Mount Tsukuba.
• Located on the southern slope of Mount Tsukuba.

What to see

• About 1,000 plum trees of 30 varieties.
• Plum trees with low-spreading branches.
• Cherry trees, azaleas, and hydrangeas.
• A wooden observation deck built with kaya grass.
• Gabbro bedrock from 75 million years ago.

When to go

• Early blooming plums are best from late January.
• First Tsukubasan Plum Festival was in 1974.

Read more about Tsukubasan bairin

A unique dog and cat theme park with over 1000 animals and a giant dog-shaped observation deck.

What it is

• A leisure facility in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1996 as Tsukuba Wanwan Zoo, renamed in 1998.
• Operated by Sansui Corporation, also called a dog and cat theme park.
• Used as a training facility by Tsukuba International Pet College.

What to see

• Mokkun, an 11-meter high dog-shaped wooden observation deck.
• Mokkun is considered one of the largest in the world.
• About 1000 dogs from 90 breeds.
• A cat house with 70 cats from 40 breeds.
• An animal hospital is on site.

Official site

wanwan-land.co.jp

Read more about Tsukuba Wanwan Land

Kijō Park preserves Tsuchiura Castle ruins, offering a historic and scenic escape, especially during cherry blossom season.

What it is

• A park in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Developed from parts of Tsuchiura Castle.
• Designated a Prefectural Historic Site.
• Donated to Tsuchiura Town in 1899.

What to see

• Tsuchiura Castle ruins remain in the park.
• A 500-year-old chinquapin tree.
• Tsuchiya Shrine is within the park.
• Shōtoku Taishi-dō is within the park.
• A haiku monument by Takada Ho.
• Lawn area and playground equipment.

When to go

• Famous spot for cherry blossom viewing.

Official site

www.city.tsuchiura.lg.jp

Read more about Kijō Park

Hitachi Seaside Park is a vast national park famous for its seasonal flower displays.

What it is

• A national park in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Managed by the Kanto Regional Development Bureau.
• Opened in 1991, on land returned by the US military.
• Total area is 350 hectares.

What to see

• Vast fields of narcissus, tulips, nemophila, and kochia flowers.
• Miharashi Hill, the highest point in Hitachinaka City.
• Eight distinct areas divided into three zones.

When to go

• Seasonal flower blooms.
• ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL.
• LuckyFes.

Official site

hitachikaihin.jp

Read more about Hitachi Seaside Park

A botanical park in Mito City with diverse plants and a large observation greenhouse.

What it is

• A botanical park in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1987.
• Covers about 80,000 square meters.
• Designed by Mitsuo Taki.

What to see

• Approximately 28,000 trees and 146,000 ground cover plants.
• Observation greenhouse covers 1,561 square meters.
• Greenhouse houses about 500 species and 15,000 plants.
• Medicinal plant garden with about 50 types of herbs.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Address

〒310-0914　茨城県水戸市小吹町504 Map

Official site

www.mito-botanical-park.com

Read more about Mito Botanical Park

Sports park named after a swordsman, with artificial turf fields for various sports.

What it is

• A sports park in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Named after the famous swordsman Tsukahara Bokuden.

What to see

• Multi-purpose fields for soccer and baseball.
• Adjacent to Kashima Soccer Stadium.
• Artificial turf fields for various sports.
• Total area of 41,034 square meters.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Kashima Soccer Stadium Station.

Read more about Bokuden no Sato Sports Park

A municipal aquarium in Ibaraki Prefecture, good for seeing diverse aquatic life.

What it is

• A municipal aquarium in Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1990, renovated and reopened in 2018.
• Exhibits fish, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans.

What to see

• A panoramic tank with giant salamanders.
• A large tank with stellate sturgeon.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed from December 29 to January 1.

Getting there

• About 30 minutes by taxi from Kandatsu Station.

Official site

www.dane-kerry.com

Read more about Kasumigaura City Aquarium

Explore a large urban park with historical ruins, traditional houses, and a beautiful peach grove.

What it is

• An urban park in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Covers an area of 22.4 hectares.
• Contains the site of the Koga Kubō Ashikaga clan's residence.
• Received an international award from UNESCO in 2003.

What to see

• Tokugen-in Temple ruins.
• Goshonuma Pond.
• Folk house garden with two old residences.
• Peach grove with 2000 peach trees.
• Koga Kubō Ashikaga Yoshiuji burial site.
• Former Hida Residence, an important cultural property.

Official site

www.koga-kousya.or.jp

Read more about Koga Sōgō Park

Nanatsudō Park is an English-style garden in Mito, known for its unique design and filming location.

What it is

• A municipal park in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1999, designed by a British landscape company.
• Features an English-style natural landscape garden.
• Named after seven horizontal cave tombs.

What to see

• Area A has a 50m diameter English circular flower garden.
• Area B consists of five dams and ponds.
• Building materials for facilities were imported from the UK.
• Filming location for the movie "Thermae Romae".

Address

茨城県水戸市下国井町2243 Map

Official site

www.city.mito.lg.jp

Read more about Nanatsudō Park

Explore an ancient Jomon shell mound, a National Historic Site with significant archaeological finds.

What it is

• A Jomon period shell mound, mentioned in ancient literature.
• Oldest example of a shell mound in ancient Japanese texts.
• Designated a National Historic Site for its shell layer.
• Maintained as Ōgushi Shell Mound Fureai Park.

What to see

• The shell layer on the slope.
• Excavated Jomon period pottery.
• Artifacts like arrowheads, shell rings, and fishing hooks.
• Located on the Naka plateau at 25.6 meters elevation.

Read more about Ōgushi Shell Mound

A vast flower park with one of Eastern Japan's largest rose gardens, perfect for nature lovers.

What it is

• A large flower park in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1985, reopened in 2021 after renovations.
• Total area is approximately 30 hectares.

What to see

• One of Eastern Japan's largest rose gardens.
• 800 varieties and 30,000 rose bushes.
• Dome exhibiting begonias and hibiscus.
• 88 varieties and 2,670 peony bushes.
• 200 varieties and 1,200 dahlia bushes.
• 800m long sports slide in Fureai no Mori area.

Official site

flowerpark.or.jp

Read more about Ibaraki Flower Park

Senba Park, one of the world's largest urban parks, offers lakeside walks and art near Mito Station.

What it is

• A municipal urban park in Mito City.
• Centered around Senba Lake.
• Part of the Kairakuen Park area.
• Second largest urban park in the world.

What to see

• The Ibaraki Museum of Modern Art.
• A walking course around Senba Lake.

When to go

• Venue for the Mito Komon Festival.

Getting there

• 15 minutes walk from Mito Station.
• Kairakuen Station is a few minutes walk.

Official site

www.mito-park.net

Read more about Senba Park

Dōhō Park is a large city park with diverse sports facilities and walking paths.

What it is

• A city park in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Opened in 1980.
• Covers an area of about 20 hectares.

What to see

• Heated swimming pool with 9 lanes and 130 seats.
• Arena with 400 seats for various sports.
• Six tennis courts and a baseball field.
• Multi-purpose field for soccer and other activities.
• Field athletics with over 20 types of equipment.
• Shin-Toshi Kinenkan has an exhibition hall and a cafe.

Official site

tsud.co.jp

Read more about Dōhō Park

Gōnoike is a historic pond and park in Kamisu City, offering seasonal festivals and a peaceful escape.

What it is

• A pond in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Formed 1,400 to 1,200 years ago.
• Mentioned in the ancient 'Hitachi Province Fudoki'.
• Maintained as Gōnoike Ryokuchi Park.

What to see

• A 44-hectare pond.
• Gōnoike Ryokuchi Park.
• Kamisu City Hall is adjacent to the park.

When to go

• Early April for the Kamisu Cherry Blossom Festival.
• Mid-September for a fireworks display.

Read more about Gōnoike