Explore North Ibaraki's rich history and stunning landscapes. Begin with a visit to Oiwa Shrine, a mountain shrine surrounded by majestic cedar trees, reminiscent of Nikko Tosho-gu. Enjoy a delicious lunch in Hitachi featuring local fish. Continue to Unomisaki for breathtaking cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean. Conclude your tour with a visit to Hanazono Gorge, known for its picturesque waterfalls and lush greenery.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hitachi Station
- Meet at JR Joban line Hitachi station. I will meet at the kaisatsu gate of the station
Oiwa Ginja Shrine
Surrounded by towering cedar trees, the shrine's walkway offers a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of the famous Nikko Tosho-gu, though on a smaller scale. This shrine holds significant historical importance, closely linked to the Mito Tokugawa family, one of the three major relatives of the Edo Tokugawa lineage. Adding to its mystique, Oiwa Shrine is known for a fascinating phenomenon where astronauts have reported seeing a light from space believed to originate from this very site.
Lunch
Enjoy Japanese dishes at a restaurant beloved by the locals.
Unomisaki cliff
Unomisaki is cliff sea shore facing to Pacific ocean.
There is a walk way and you can enjoy the view of Fukushima in the north to Kashima industrial complex in the south.
Hananuki Gorge
Discover the natural beauty of Hananuki Gorge, a hidden gem in Ibaraki. Walk across the Shiomitaki Suspension Bridge, offering breathtaking views of the river and lush forests. In autumn, the gorge transforms into a stunning display of vibrant red and yellow foliage, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Ryujin suspension bridge
Experience breathtaking views from the Ryujin Suspension Bridge, one of Japan’s longest pedestrian bridges at 375 meters. Spanning across a deep gorge, it offers stunning panoramic sights of the surrounding mountains and Ryujin Dam. In autumn, vibrant foliage enhances the scenery, while thrill-seekers can enjoy Japan’s highest bungy jump from the bridge.
Fukuroda Falls
Marvel at the beauty of Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s most stunning waterfalls. Cascading down four tiers from a height of 120 meters, it offers a different charm in every season—lush greenery in summer, vibrant colors in autumn, and a breathtaking frozen spectacle in winter. Walk along the viewing platforms for up-close, panoramic views.
Ending Point
Hitachi Station
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
*Guide fee
*Transportation type of car: Volvo V60, toll fees, and gasoline expenses.
*parking fee
*Drinks, street foods, souvenirs, and your personal expenses
*Traveler's insurance
*Lunch at local restaurant (Japanese).
*Entrance fees(if applicable)
* This tour involves walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
* Lunch is included in the tour, please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
*This tour is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
This tour is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
Hello everyone, and welcome to North Kanto area, the land where tradition meets tranquility!
I am Keiichiro Izawa, your dedicated tour guide for today's adventure through this culturally rich and naturally stunning prefecture.
Born and raised right here in Ibaraki, I have developed a deep connection to its history, heritage, and hidden gems. With a background as an English teacher and translator, I'm here to ensure that every step of our journey is not just informative, but also enjoyable.
One of my passions lies in exploring historical sites such as shrines, temples, and castles, where the echoes of the past resonate through time. But don't worry, our exploration won't be limited to just the ancient wonders. I'm also a nature enthusiast, drawn to the majestic mountains and serene beaches that adorn our landscape.
And what's a trip without savoring the flavors of the local cuisine? I'll be your culinary guide, leading you to the best-hidden eateries where you can indulge in authentic dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.
So buckle up and get ready to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of North Kanto. Let's embark on a journey filled with history, nature, and delicious discoveries!
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Rowena S.
“Guests were well taken care of”
Hello Keiichiro san, we appreciate your great service and recommendations for this tour, you have helped us create convenient tour with the guests, they were very satisfied to visit the places they are very much interested to.
Jeff D.
“Amazing Tour Around Ibaraki”
Keiichiro-San was a wonderful guide, driving me all around Ibaraki. I only knew of Hitachi Seaside Park from social media, but from that he crafted me a full day itinerary and was very flexible with what time to meet, and which station to drop me off at at the end of the day. He drove me all the way to the border of Fukushima and Ibaraki from Katsuta Station through the course of the day and showed me a lot of great nature spots, and took me to his favorite lunch spot which was a great meal at a cheap price! I also really enjoyed our conversations during lunch and while he was driving us around, from talking about the prefecture to just random topics about life. I hope more tourists visit Ibaraki and reach out to Keiichiro-san to guide them!
Rachael M.
“Lovely day and tour by knowledgeable guide”
Keiichiro picked my partner and I up at our hotel in Nikko and took us on a very lovely tour through some of the main highlights in the Nikko national park. Our tour focused on seeing the nature and sites around Nikko that required a car to access. We asked Keiichiro to arrange it this way since we were staying within walking distance of the shrine and temple complex. We saw the main lake, embassy summer residencies, several waterfalls and went in a lovely hike through the marsh and forest area. We had a great day and I'd recommend Keiichiro to anyone looking for a personable guide who is knowledgable about Nikko and it's surroundings.
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Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring the natural side of Nikko — the lakes, waterfalls, and hiking through the marshland are truly special experiences. It was a great pleasure spending the day with you both and sharing some of my favorite spots in Nikko. I really appreciate your kind words and recommendation, and I hope you will visit again in another season to see Nikko’s different beauty.
$334/ per group
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