Tsuchiura (Ibaraki)
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Ibaraki Sightseeing Spots You Can Enjoy Even on Rainy Days While Staying in Tsuchiura

Ibaraki Prefecture is dotted with "indoor sightseeing spots" where you can play comfortably and at your leisure, even on rainy or midsummer days. Using Tsuchiura City—which is easily accessible from the city center in about 60 minutes by car or as little as 45 minutes by train—as your base, we have listed five indoor facilities that are easy to visit by car, including an all-weather aquarium where you can see dolphin performances and a specialty baked sweet potato museum that includes a factory tour and tasting experience. Please use this to help with your planning for days when the weather forecast looks gloomy.

An experiential museum packed with the charm of sweet potatoes

Market area illuminated by sweet potato-shaped lights from the atrium ceiling
A market area illuminated by sweet potato-shaped lights hanging from the atrium ceiling

An agricultural theme park located in Namegata City, one of Japan's leading sweet potato production areas. In the vast outdoor area, you can enjoy activities like glamping with vegetable harvesting. On rainy days, head to the well-equipped indoor area. The "Shop&Museum," which utilizes the school building of the former Namegata 3rd Elementary School, features a cafe where you can take a break with sweet potato treats, a farmers' market lined with local specialties and freshly picked vegetables, and the "Yaki-imo Factory Museum" where you can take a factory tour, allowing you to play to your heart's content indoors.

Uncover the secrets of sweet potatoes at the "Oimo no Gakko" (Sweet Potato School)

"Baked Sweet Potato Class Meeting" where historical figures tell the history of the sweet potato
The "Baked Sweet Potato Class Meeting" where historical figures tell the history of sweet potatoes

The second floor is the "Yaki-imo Factory Museum," guided by the baked sweet potato fairy "Yaki-emon" (voiced by an actress from Namegata City). You receive a student handbook at the entrance and proceed through four exhibition rooms while answering baked sweet potato quiz homework. In the following "Oimo Factory," you can observe the 19-meter-long "tunnel oven" dedicated to baked sweet potatoes and experience a -30°C freezer that instantly freezes potato products. After finishing the factory tour, a tasting time of crispy candied sweet potatoes and baked sweet potatoes awaits you.

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At the museum, you can have fun learning about how sweet potatoes become sweet and trivia such as "Why don't roasted sweet potato farts smell?" By the time you finish your tour, you will surely be a sweet potato master.

Lapoppo Namegata Farmers Village
  • Address1561 Uzaki, Namegata City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 55 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station
  • Business hours10:00–18:00 (Last admission to the Yaki-imo Factory Museum is 15:30)
  • ClosedMonday–Friday (Open if it is a public holiday)
  • Admission FeeFree admission (Yaki-imo Factory Museum: 900 yen for adults, 700 yen for children under junior high school age, free for children 3 and under)
  • TEL0299-87-1130
  • ParkingFree

A large aquarium along the coast where 20,000 fish swim in a massive tank

A 10-meter-deep tank that recreates the rich ecosystem of the sea where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet off the coast of Ibaraki.
A 10-meter-deep tank that recreates the rich ecosystem of the sea where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet off the coast of Ibaraki

Opened in 2002, this is the largest aquarium in Ibaraki Prefecture. It exhibits approximately 68,000 creatures of about 580 species. In the 1,300-ton "Encounter Sea" large tank, "IWASHILIFE" is currently being performed. You can see the dynamic sight of sardines moving in a large school in sync with light and background music. The large jellyfish tank "Kurage 365," which was renovated in 2020, is an atmospheric space where colors and images change based on the theme of the four seasons. The sight of moon jellyfish floating gently is truly magical.

Experience the dynamism of dolphins at the Ocean Theater

The Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live, which also features fun original performances.
Dolphin and sea lion ocean live performances that also feature fun original acts

The "Ocean Theater," where dolphin and sea lion shows are performed, is an open, all-weather theater space that overlooks the blue Pacific Ocean through its windows. The seats from the front row to about the fifth row are "challenge seats" where you should be prepared to get soaked. Standing room is also available in the back, where you can enjoy a performance filled with laughter and emotion. If you want to take a break inside the facility, we recommend the cafe "Mermaid." Original menu items using shark meat, such as "Shark Curry," are very popular.

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With about 60 species, the aquarium has the largest number of shark species in Japan, which is also its symbol. In the "Shark Daddy's Room," you can experience a "VR tank" that recreates the great white shark, which is difficult to keep in captivity, using digital technology.

Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium
  • Address8252-3 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 57 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station / Approx. 15 minutes from the Mito-Oarai IC on the Higashi-Mito Road
  • Bus accessApprox. 15 minutes on the Oarai Town Loop Bus "Umimachi Line" (Sightseeing Route) from Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Station, then get off at Aqua World Oarai and it is right there
  • Business hours9:00–17:00 (Last admission at 16:00) *Subject to change depending on the season
  • ClosedClosed in June and December
  • Admission FeeAdults 2,300 yen, elementary/junior high school students 1,100 yen, children 3 and older 400 yen
  • TEL029-267-5151 [Voice Guidance]
  • ParkingAvailable
  • NotesFree stroller rentals available at the entrance
    Nursing rooms available at two locations in the park

A science spot where you can experience the cutting edge of space technology

Inside the Space Dome, there is a full lineup of models of successive rockets (1/20 scale).
Inside the Space Dome, there is a full lineup of 1/20 scale models of rockets from throughout history.

This is a research facility of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which is responsible for Japan's space development and research. At the entrance of the "Space Dome" permanent exhibition hall on the premises, you are welcomed by "Dream Port," a 1/1,000,000 scale model of the Earth that shines in lapis lazuli. There are many realistic model exhibits that make space feel close, such as the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" of the International Space Station where astronauts conduct experiments, and a full-scale model of a manned pressurized rover. The sight of successive generations of domestically produced rockets lined up is impressive and a must-see spot.

A guided tour where you can feel like an astronaut

The "Closed Environment Adaptation Training Facility" in the Astronaut Training Building is a facility used for astronaut selection tests and space medicine research.
The "Closed Environment Adaptation Training Facility" inside the Astronaut Training Building is a facility used for astronaut selection exams and space medicine research.

In the general public viewing area, in addition to permanent exhibits, there are exhibition spaces with special exhibitions that change themes periodically, allowing you to learn about the lesser-known aspects of space development. If you want to learn more about space, we also recommend participating in a guided tour (fee required, reservation required). You can visit facilities that are usually inaccessible, such as the training area used for astronaut selection and training, with a guide. At the adjacent museum shop "Planet Cube," you can enjoy choosing unique souvenirs such as JAXA goods.

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The first thing that catches your eye at the Rocket Plaza, right after entering the main gate, is the 50-meter-long H-II rocket. The actual rocket, which finished its role as a ground test model, is on display.

JAXA Tsukuba Space Center
  • Address2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 18 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station
  • Business hoursSpace Dome: 10:00–17:00
    Museum Shop in Planet Cube: 10:00–17:00
  • ClosedIrregular holidays, year-end and New Year holidays (12/29–1/3), facility maintenance days, etc.
  • Admission FeeFree admission (Guided tours are 500 yen. Free for high school students and younger or those under 18)
  • ParkingFree
  • NotesMultipurpose restroom, nursing room, and diaper changing table available inside Space Dome

An authentic winery dating back to the Meiji era

The Kamiya Denbei Memorial Hall, which you can tour while listening to the audio commentary playing inside.
Tour the Kamiya Denbei Memorial Hall while listening to the audio commentary playing throughout the building.

The "Former Kamiya Sake Brewery," Japan's first authentic winery, was founded by businessman Denbei Kamiya. It was built in 1903 (Meiji 36) and designed by Tokitaro Okada, a student of the architect Kingo Tatsuno. The three Western-style buildings are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the building that once served as the fermentation room has been renovated into the "Denbei Kamiya Memorial Museum." Large oak barrels line both sides of the first-floor corridor, creating a unique atmosphere. The second floor displays vintage wine-making equipment and valuable photographic records of Denbei's vibrant social circle, and admission is free.

A casual French restaurant designated as a National Important Cultural Property

The restaurant interior features high ceilings and beautiful red brick walls.
The restaurant interior features high ceilings and beautiful red brick walls.

The "Storage Room," where wine was once secondary-fermented and aged, is now operating as a restaurant. Enjoying wine and French cuisine in a winery from the Meiji era is an exceptional experience. The on-site shop sells items such as the collaborative wine "Chateau du Vin Muscat Bailey A," which is made using grapes grown on the premises and brewed by the Yamanashi-based winery "Lumiere." For those who do not drink alcohol or for children, the original "Wine Cake," known for its fluffy texture, is a recommended souvenir.

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The "Maître de Chai (Cellar Master)'s Room" inside the Kamiya Denbei Memorial Hall has a laboratory-like atmosphere with huge glass funnels and flasks. It is a space with particularly nostalgic floor tiling.

Ushiku Chateau
  • Address3-20-1 Chuo, Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 25 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station, or 8 minutes on foot from JR Ushiku Station East Exit (Chateau Exit)
  • Business hoursTour facilities: 10:00–16:00, Restaurant: 11:30–15:00 (L.O. 14:00) and 17:30–21:30 (L.O. 20:00), Shop: 10:00–18:00
  • ClosedYear-end and New Year holidays (Restaurant and shop are closed on Mondays)
  • Admission FeeFree admission
  • TEL029-873-3151, Restaurant 029-896-3612, Shop 029-896-3615
  • ParkingPaid (Use Times Ushiku Chuo opposite the facility. 100 yen per 60 minutes, maximum 300 yen per day on weekdays only)

A Mentaiko-themed park where you can play and learn

A tour gallery where you can learn how mentaiko is made in a fun way through touch-panel games and more.
A tour gallery where you can learn how mentaiko is made in a fun way through touch-panel games and more.

This is a factory-attached direct sales store and exhibition gallery opened by the long-established mentaiko (spicy cod roe) manufacturer "Kanefuku" to deliver freshly made mentaiko to the Kanto region. In the approximately 100-meter-long "Mentaiko Gallery," the ecology of the Alaska pollock—the source of mentaiko—and the fishing process are explained clearly through panels and videos. The "Mysterious Undersea Walk," an attraction where visitors can learn about mentaiko through games and quizzes, is also popular with children. In the factory tour area, you can observe through glass the manual production of mentaiko by about 100 workers in a facility with thorough hygiene standards.

Enjoy freshly made Mentaiko gourmet food at a great value

You can sample "freshly made 'raw' mentaiko" shipped directly from the factory.
You can sample "freshly made raw mentaiko" shipped directly from the factory.

In one corner of the direct sales area, you can sample fresh mentaiko that was pickled just that day. With a wide lineup of products such as mentaiko shumai and squid mentaiko, you can enjoy choosing souvenirs, and you can also get freshly made mentaiko at reasonable prices unique to a factory direct store. At the food corner, the "Mentai Soft Serve Ice Cream," with its addictive sweet-and-salty flavor and spicy kick, is a popular menu item. The "Onimori! Mentai-don," piled high with fresh mentaiko, offers an overwhelming sense of volume and a delightful popping texture.

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The "Mentai Catcher" located at the entrance next to the food court features Kanefuku's original, not-for-sale "Mentaiko Snacks" as prizes. Please be sure to give it a try.

Kanefuku Mentai Park Oarai
  • Address8255-3 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 55 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station / Approx. 10 minutes from Mito-Oarai IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway
  • Business hours9:00–17:00, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays
    Factory operating hours are 9:00–16:30 (excluding 11:30–12:30 on Sundays and holidays)
  • ClosedOpen every day
  • TEL029-219-4101
  • ParkingFree

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
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*The information provided is current as of the date of the article's update. Please check in advance as it may be subject to change.