1
Mt. Tsukuba

Experience the magnificent scenery sung about in Manyoshu

The magnificent mountain, which rises above the Kanto Plain, has been popular among people since it was written about in the Manyoshu (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves), and the autumn colors of the trees begin to change from the top in late October and are at their best in November.

Mt. Tsukuba Shrine, located halfway up the mountain, enshrines Mt. Tsukuba itself as its sacred body, and is a shrine with a long history of faith that has been handed down from ancient times to the present. Direction can be reached in about 8 minutes by cable car from the nearby Miyawaki Station, where you can view the beautiful autumn leaves from the window of the car. There is also a ropeway and several climbing courses, so you can easily enjoy the journey to the summit according to your purpose and physical strength.

Autumn foliage viewing season: Usually from early to late November.
Tree species】Tree species: ivy, oak, poison ivy, Japanese maples, etc.

Local Guide

Mt. Tsukuba has two peaks, the Nantaiyama and Nyotaiyama. From the foot of the mountain, there is a cable car to the Nantaiyama peak and a ropeway to the Nyotaiyama peak. There is also a hot spring where visitors can take a day trip after climbing the mountain.

Mt. Tsukuba

• 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 43 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station (near Miyawaki Station on the Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car)
• Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car 9:00-17:00
  Temporary service is available when there are many passengers.
• Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car: Open year-round (may be closed for maintenance during winter)
• Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car Adults: 590 yen one-way, 1,070 yen round-trip
  Children: 300 yen one-way, 540 yen round-trip (free for children under 6 years old)
• 029-866-0611 (Tsukuba Kanko Railway Co.)
• Admission Fee
• For cable car and ropeway operation times and fares, please check the Tsukuba Kanko Railway Co.
  
  

2
Science Expo Commemorative Park

Ginkgo trees lined with ginkgo trees popular in the school town

The park was built on the former site of "Science Expo '85 Tsukuba," which was held in 1985. The park is open and spacious enough to spend a relaxing time. The ginkgo trees surrounding the plaza usually turn yellow in mid-November, and people can be seen strolling and running from early in the morning to enjoy the golden color of the tree-lined avenue.

The symbol of the park is the "Gate of Science. Depending on the direction of view, the faces of four scientists, Edison, Archimedes, Newton, and Galileo, appear in the center of the gate. Check out the reflection of the trees on the shining silver gate as well.

Best time to see the autumn leaves: Usually mid to late November.
Kind of trees】Ginkgo, etc.

Local Guide

The park has a large lawn, pond, iris garden, and all-weather tennis courts. We recommend that you bring your own lunch and play equipment and spend a relaxing time there.

Science Expo Commemorative Park

• 6 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Tsukuba Express Banpaku Kinen Koen Station
• Take a bus from Tsukuba Express Banpaku Kinen Koen Stn. and get off at "Kagaku Banpaku Kinen Koen" stop.
• 029-856-1005 (Tsukuba City Park Facilities Division)
• Free

3
Dobo Park

Feel the autumn colors in this urban oasis

This comprehensive park covers an area of 20 hectares. The area around Dobonuma Swamp in the center of the park is especially lush with greenery, and the trees show various expressions in each season. In autumn, visitors are welcomed by the golden ginkgo trees that line the path from the park entrance to the Dobong Swamp, where they can picnic in the plaza while enjoying the beautiful contrast with the reddish autumn leaves at various places in the park.

The spacious park also has an adventure plaza with field athletic and combination playground equipment, an indoor heated swimming pool, and other Sports Properties, making it possible to spend a whole day there regardless of the season.

Best time to view autumn foliage: Usually mid to late November.
Tree species: Ginkgo, maple, etc.

Local Guide

Three walking/jogging trails paved with soft rubber-chip urethane are maintained around Dobong Swamp. Each of them has different lengths and routes, so you can choose the one that best suits your strolling time.

Dobo Park

• 2-20 Ninomiya, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 9 min. by car from Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express.
• Take a bus from Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express and get off at Dobo Koen (Dobo Park).
• The fee-paying Property in the park is closed on the 1st Wednesday of every month (or the following week if the Wednesday is a national holiday), December 31, and January 1.
• 029-852-1432
• Admission Fee
• Please check the website for information on the hours of operation of the Park's Property and fees.

4
Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History

Walking along a carpet of ginkgo leaves, I let my thoughts wander through history

The History Museum combines the functions of a museum and an archives to tell the history of Ibaraki Prefecture. The museum also houses many documents and artifacts related to the Hitotsubashi Tokugawa family, and some of these valuable materials are open to the public.

In the fall, the avenue of approximately 60 ginkgo trees turns a beautiful shade of yellow, transforming the area into a carpet of yellow. Every November, the “History Museum Ginkgo Festival” is held, featuring various events and illuminations. The ginkgo trees, illuminated by the lights, create a magical atmosphere, attracting many visitors who enjoy taking photos.

[Best Time to View Fall Foliage] Typically early to mid-November
[Tree Species] Ginkgo, etc.

▼Reikikan Ginkgo Festival
Dates: November 1 (Sat) – 23 (Mon, Holiday), 2026

Local Guide

Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, is located in the immediate vicinity. Kairakuen Omote-mon Gate, the main gate of the garden since its opening, is only a few minutes' walk from the Prefectural Museum of History, so why not extend your visit there as well?

Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History

• 2-1-15 Midorimachi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 7 minutes from JR Mito Station by car
• Take a bus from JR Mito Station, and get off at "Rekishikan Kairakuen Iriguchi" stop. 2 min. walk from the bus stop.
• Garden hours: Feb. 20-Sept. 30, 6:00-19:00; Oct. 1-Feb. 19, 7:00-18:00
  Honkan: 9:30 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
• Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum is closed the following day)
• Free for the garden, charged for the exhibition in the Honkan (see website for details)
• 029-225-4425
• Free
• During the Ginkgo Festival, the illuminations are held free of charge even on Mondays.

5
Kairakuen Garden

A garden adorned with tradition and a valley of vivid maple trees

This garden was built in 1842 (Tenpō 13) by the feudal lord Tokugawa Nariaki. From the “Kobuntei” pavilion, perched on a hill, visitors can overlook not only the garden itself but also the changing colors of the Japanese maples, red maples, and ginkgo trees along the shores of Lake Senba.The bright red autumn foliage in “Momiji Valley,” located just a short walk from the main garden where Kōbuntei stands toward the garden’s extension, is also spectacular. Every year in November, the area is illuminated at night.

To get to Momiji-dani (Maple Valley), go through the park from the Tukyokusen exit, cross the pedestrian bridge, and enter from "Tokugawa Museum Street". Direction to Momijidani can be directly accessed by taking the bus from Mito Station and getting off at "Sakurayama".

Maple viewing season: Usually from early November to late November.
Types of trees】Momiji, maple, etc.

Local Guide

The view looking down from Kairakuen is, of course, worth seeing, but the autumn leaves of Kairakuen seen from the adjacent Senba Lake are also worth seeing. If you have time, take a walk along Senba Lake and see Kobun-tei at sunset.

Kairakuen Garden

• 1-3-3 Tokiwa-machi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 10 min. by car from JR Mito Stn.
• Take a bus from JR Mito Station, get off at “Kobuntei Omote-mon Iriguchi,” and walk about 7 minutes.
• Mid-February to Sept. 30, 6:00-19:00; Oct. 1 to mid-February, 7:00-18:00
• Open daily
• Adults: 320 yen; Elementary and junior high school students: 160 yen *During the Plum Blossom Festival, adults: 500 yen; elementary and junior high school students: 250 yen
• 029-244-5454
• Free of charge, subject to a fee
• For more information about the hours of operation, the nearest bus stop, and the entrance to Kobun-tei, please check the website.

6
Mizukaido Fudo Museum Sakano Family Residence

Viewing the autumn leaves in a landscape that takes you back in time

The 1 hectare site includes the main house, which was restored to its original appearance in the mid-19th century, a shoin (a Japanese-style drawing room) reconstructed in the Taisho era (1912-1926), and a beautiful garden and bamboo grove that recreate the atmosphere of that era, making visitors feel as if they have stepped back in time.

From the second floor of the “Getsuharo” study hall, located west of the main residence, you can leisurely look down upon the garden as it turns red during the fall foliage season.The view through the glass doors, which date back to the Taisho era, offers a uniquely different perspective. Furthermore, the main house, the front gate (including the surrounding wall), the study hall, and the library are all registered as Nationally Designated Important Cultural Properties.

Autumn foliage viewing season: Usually from early November to late November.
Types of trees】Momiji, dodan azalea, ginkgo, etc.

Local Guide

The Sakano Family Residence is also known as a filming location for TV dramas, commercials, and movies. In addition to the main house and shoin, the bamboo grove on the grounds is a famous filming spot often used in period dramas.

Mizukaido Museum of History and Culture Sakano Family Residence

• 2037 Oseigo-cho, Joso-shi, Ibaraki MAP
• 10 min. drive from Kanto Railway Mizukaido Stn.
• April-October: 9:00-18:00 (open until 17:00), November-March: 9:00-17:00 (open until 16:00)
• Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum is open on Monday and closed the following day), year-end and New Year holidays
• General admission: 300 yen, Elementary, junior high, and high school students: 100 yen
• 0297-24-2131
• Free

7
Kitayama Park

A water mirror reflecting the colorful mountain scenery

The park is covered with broadleaf forests, and in November the entire park is dyed red and orange. Shiratori Lake in the park is a scenic spot selected as one of the 100 best sightseeing spots in Ibaraki Prefecture, and visitors can enjoy the contrast between the autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the water and the blue sky.

The nearby promenade, which takes about 25 minutes to walk around, is perfect for a casual stroll. In addition to viewing the city's autumn foliage from the observatory, one of the best ways to enjoy the autumn leaves in Kasama City is to ride the 161-meter-long "roller slide," a specialty of Kitayama Park, through the brightly colored grove of trees.

Best time to view autumn foliage: Usually from early November to late November.
Kind of trees】Momiji, maple, etc.

Local Guide

Direction by car is recommended if you are not sure about your stamina or if you are short on time, as there is a continuous slope from the foot of the mountain to the center of the park. From the car window, you can enjoy the scenery decorated with maple trees and maples leading up to the Parking.

Kitayama Park

• 1416-1 Tairamachi, Kasama-shi, Ibaraki MAP
• 10 minutes drive from JR Tomobe Station
• From JR Tomobe Station, take the "Kasama Kanko Shuyu Bus" and get off at "Kitayama Koen Iriguchi" (20 min. walk).
• Apr-Sep 9:00-18:00, Nov-Feb 9:00-16:00, Mar-Oct 9:00-17:00
• 0296-78-3911（Kitayama Park Management Office)
• Free

8
Sashirosanroku Park

A park at the foot of Kasama Castle overlooking the castle town

The park is located at the foot of Mt. The park was once the residence of the Kasama clan, and the "Toki Bell Tower," a city-designated cultural property, is a reminder of those days. When you enter the park, you will see ginkgo and maple trees with thick trunks and magnificent branches standing majestically, as befits a historical place.

From the park, a hiking trail leads to the top of Mt. Visitors can enjoy the autumn foliage while thinking about the history of the area.

Autumn foliage viewing season: Usually from early November to late November.
Tree species】Momiji, Ginkgo, etc.

Local Guide

Kasama Inari Shrine, one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan, is a 15-minute walk away. There are many restaurants on the street in front of the shrine, so please enjoy visiting the shrine and walking around town.

Sashirosanroku Park

• 1015-2 Kasama, Kasama-shi, Ibaraki MAP
• 5 min. drive from JR Kasama Station
• From JR Tomobe Station, take "Kasama Kanko Shuyu Bus" and get off at "Nichido Art Museum" stop. 1 min. walk.
• 0296-72-9222（Kasama Tourist Association)
• Free

9
Seirenji Temple

The overwhelming presence of a large ginkgo tree over 1,000 years old

The history of this ancient temple dates back to the 8th century and is said to have been founded in 782 (Enryaku era). From the parking lot, pass through the Niomon Gate, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, and proceed to the back of the temple, where two ginkgo trees over 1,000 years old peacefully stand side by side to greet you.

The two ginkgo trees, known as the "Great Ginkgo of Seiren-ji Temple," were planted by Saisen Shonin, the founder of Seiren-ji Temple, and in autumn, the leaves on their magnificent trunks, each over 6 and 8 meters tall, turn the entire area a beautiful yellow. The quiet power of the large ginkgo trees seen from below is overwhelming.

Best time to view the autumn foliage: Late November to early December.
Tree species】Ginkgo etc.

Local Guide

Nagata City is one of the cities adjacent to Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan. The 1,015-meter-long Kasumigaura Bridge, which spans Kasumigaura, is a popular driving course.

Seirenji Temple

• 504 Sairenji, Kataoka City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 60 min. from JR Tsuchiura Station by car.
• 080-8731-1772（Missing City Tourist Association)
• Free