North Ibaraki natural beauty and history
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.
Itinerary
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
Want to personalize this tour?
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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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
*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)
Tour Important Information
* 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.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Keiichiro I.
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!
Reviews
Vera S.
“ A great day with Keiichiro!”
My husband and I spent a day with Keiichiro and explored the Nikko's local area. We wanted to see the Nikko's nature and it would not be posible to do it by a bus. Keiichiro customized our itinerary and took us to see the places we wanted to see. We had interesting conversations about Japan's history and nature. He is very open and easy going. He is an excellent driver and can bring you to places you would not be able to see by youself. Exploring Nikko by car made everything very easy and you get to see more than by a bus. He picked us up from our hotel and bring us back to it. I highly recommend Keiichiro to be your guide. You would never forget your time with Keiichiro.
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Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I truly appreciate your kind words and am very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring Nikko with me. It was a pleasure spending the day with you both. I’m especially glad that the customized itinerary and traveling by car helped you experience places that are difficult to reach by bus. Your curiosity about Japan’s history and nature made our conversations very enjoyable for me as well. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!
Ruth M.
“Great day with Keiichiro!”
My husband and I had a day to kill before our late night flight from Tokyo. As we had visited Tokyo on a previous trip, I decided to stay at Narita on the night before our flight. I booked the tour with Keiichiro so we could explore the local area a little more. We visited the Naritasan Shinshō temple, the Kashmina shrine and had a quick stop at Ikato before a short visit to the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences. Unfortunately, the weather on the day of our tour was quite rainy but we really enjoyed our time with Keiichiro. His English is excellent and he has done a lot of interesting things in his life so we had great conversations.
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Keiichiro I.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I truly appreciate your kind words. I’m so glad to hear that you and your husband enjoyed your day around Narita, even though the weather was not ideal. It was a pleasure showing you places like Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple and spending time together. I also really enjoyed our conversations throughout the day—thank you for making it such a memorable experience for me as well. I hope you had a smooth and pleasant flight home, and I would be very happy to see you again on your next trip to Japan!
Dirk S.
“Discover Nikko with a local!”
It was a real pleasure to spend the day with Keiichiro. Born and raised in the region, he has an outstanding knowledge about its history, can tell you many interesting stories and bring you to stunning places which you would otherwise miss if you discover Nikko and surroundings on your own. Getting around by car made everything very accessible. We particularly enjoyed the personal conversations which really open up the path to a different culture. Last but not least, Keiichiro accommodated our later arrival time without any problem and even spent 1.5h more with us than actually booked. We had a great time and absolutely recommend him as a guide.
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Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot to me. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring Nikko together, and I’m grateful that you appreciated the local stories, hidden spots, and our conversations throughout the day. Spending time with you felt more like sharing time with friends rather than guiding guests — I genuinely enjoyed it. I hope Nikko will remain a special memory for you, and if you ever return to Japan, it would be my pleasure to welcome you again.
$320/ per group
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