Introduction to Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan!

Ibaraki Prefecture (Ibaraki prefecture Ibaraki-ken)

Geography and Climate of Ibaraki Prefecture:

Ibaraki Prefecture is located roughly to the northeast of the Kanto Plain in the center of the Japanese archipelago. It has an area of 6,094 square kilometers and a population of 2,845,000 people. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, Fukushima Prefecture to the north, Tochigi Prefecture to the west, the Tone River to the south, Chiba Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, and the city of Tate to the south is 40 kilometers from the center of the capital city of Tokyo, and the prefectural office is located in the city of Mito, which is within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital city of Tokyo.

The northern and northwestern parts of the area are the continuation of the Abukuma Mountain Range, and the western part is characterized by the Hachigou and Tsukuba mountain ranges. In the southeast and south are plains and lowlands, dominated by tablelands and lowlands, which account for 68% of the total area. There are lakes such as Kasumigaura and Kitaura in the lower reaches of the Tone River. The climate is temperate maritime monsoon, with an average annual temperature of about 13 degrees Celsius in the lowlands and annual precipitation ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 millimeters.

History and Culture of Ibaraki Prefecture

(1)History

Ibaraki Prefecture was described as a land of peach blossoms in "Tokuriku Kokutai Ki" (Records of the customs and lands of Tokuriku) 1280 years ago, which states that the land is vast, the soil is fertile, and the sea and mountain products are extremely rich, and the people live a life of abundance and plenty of food and clothing, just as if they were in a country of paradise. The people have been living a rich life since ancient times.

In the Middle Ages, powerful military generals in the area built residences, and in the Edo period in particular, the Tokugawa clan was established in Mito, a major transportation hub near Edo, to serve as a local political, economic, and cultural center.

After the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the government established Ibaraki Prefecture in 1871, which was constituted on the same scale as in 1875.

After that, the area was nurtured with industry and culture as its foundation, and all aspects of agriculture, industry, science and technology, culture, and welfare continued to develop greatly.

(2) Culture

In Ibaraki Prefecture, cultural assets such as Kairakuen and Kashima Jingu have been preserved throughout the region, and there are many great pioneers, such as Yokoyama Daikan, who created Japanese paintings, Itatani Hirasan, who created modern ceramics, and Noguchi Yuzuru, who composed nursery rhymes and lyrics.

The Tsukuba International Music Festival, famous art exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, and the Prefectural Art Festival are actively held in accordance with the traditional culture of the area.

Kairakuen is known as one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, along with Kanrokuen (Ishikawa Prefecture) and Kourakuen (Okayama Prefecture).

Because of its proximity to Tokyo, Japan's number one consumer market, Ibaraki Prefecture is well developed in both agriculture and fisheries, with the second largest area under crop cultivation in Japan, and fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and aquaculture, with the number of hogs and the scale of pig farming being the highest in Japan. Ibaraki's fisheries include not only inshore fisheries and offshore fisheries, but also freshwater fisheries. Offshore fisheries are mainly sardines and akihabu, and offshore fisheries are mainly tuna and bonito.

Nature of Ibaraki:

Mount Tsukuba:

"West Fuji" and "East Tsukuba" are known as the famous mountains of Kanto. You can enjoy the majestic panoramic view of the Kanto house from the top of Mt. Tsukuba, which has an elevation of 877 meters.

Kouda-no-Taki Falls:

Kouda-no-Taki Falls, with a height of 120 meters and a width of 73 meters, is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan. Whether in spring, summer, fall or winter, you can enjoy its majesty here.

Goura Coast:

Located at the northern end of the coastline, the coast of Goura has been eroded by rough waves over the years, creating a large number of natural wonders. Cliffs more than 50 meters high are crisscrossed with cliffs, and Rokkakudo, which is associated with Japanese artists such as Tenshin Okakura and Daikan Yokoyama, is built at one end of the cliffs.

Iris Garden and Twelve Bridges:

Early summer is the most beautiful season in Chorai Town. One million colorful irises of about 500 varieties bloom along the riverbank. The "Suigo Shorai Iris Festival," held from June 1 to 30, features displays and performances of iris dances, and the town is awash in irises.

Cherry blossom viewing:

There are many places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Ibaraki Prefecture. In spring, light pink cherry blossoms bloom all over the place. You are able to enjoy cherry blossoms from early to mid-April.

Kasumigaura:

Kasumigaura is the second largest lake in Japan after Lake Biwa (Shiga Prefecture). Kasumigaura is also popular as a place for sailing and water skiing, and the Sailing Boat, designed in 1880, can be seen on the lake from summer to fall.

Hwagan Valley:

The valley is formed by a relaxing natural forest and the flowing Hanagan River, and it is the best time to visit the valley in the spring when it is full of greenery and in the fall when the leaves are full of red. A constructed walking trail facilitates hiking.

Garden Shrine:

Garden Shrine is a true natural treasure. In spring it is filled with patches of heather, and in fall the hills are covered with red leaves and maples.

Historical sites in Ibaraki:

Hondokan:

The largest school of the Edo period, founded by the 9th lord, Saiaki Tokugawa, as a school to educate the children of the Mito clan. It aimed to teach the latest medical and astronomical knowledge of the time and to cultivate outstanding human resources. The building preserved within the foundation is designated as an important cultural property by Japan.

Kashima Shrine Shrine:

Kashima Shrine is one of the three major shrines in eastern Japan, known as the "Togoku Sansha". It is said to have been built in the first year of the Imperial Era (660 BC). In addition to the colorful shrine where Hidetada Tokugawa, the second shogun of the Edo period, made offerings to the gods, you can see the only national treasure of Ibaraki Prefecture, the "straight sword.

Nishiyamaso:

Tokugawa Koukoku, a famous Mito bureaucrat, lived here for 10 years before his death at the age of 73. It was in this simple hut, which was in harmony with the natural surroundings, that he wrote "The History of Great Japan.

Kasama Inari:

One of the three major shrines in Japan. It is famous for its god of good harvests and prosperous business. The main hall was built at the end of the Edo period, and the elaborate carvings around it have been designated as an important national treasure. The "Kiku Show" is held every year from mid-October to late November and is a traditional symbol of autumn.

Gumi Castle Park:

The park is a symbol of the history of Tsuchiura City. It is a castle site park where the center of the castle and a part of the outer castle of Tsuchiura Castle were once built. The east and west castle towers are now restored, except for the existing precious gateway cave.

Festivals in Ibaraki:

Hitachi Cherry Blossom Festival:

Hitachi City's "Cherry Blossom Festival" is held in places where there are cherry blossoms in Hitachi City, and is a representative event of Hitachi. The festival opens at "Mone Park" and "Peace Avenue," both of which were selected in the "100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan" list.

Ishioka Festival:

One of the three major festivals in the Kanto region, the Ishioka Festival is held from September 14 to 16 every year. During this festival, you can enjoy lion dances and floats, as well as the elegant Shimbashi Bridge painted with the Kiku-shaped family crest, which is rare in all of Japan.

Oil paper lanterns:

The fireworks are dedicated to praying for a good harvest and family harmony. Colorful fireworks in the shape of 5-meter diameter and 6-meter high oil-paper umbrellas flow down like a waterfall.

Mito Period Festival:

The history scrolls of the majestic era are reproduced with a total of more than 700 parades. The samurai attired procession of lords strides down the busy streets of Mito City.

Sightseeing spots in Ibaraki:

Oarai Coast:

Oarai Coast is home to a number of sea attractions that are worth seeing. The center facility, "Yacht Basin," is an ocean-going yacht harbor with a capacity of 70 yachts on the water and 120 yachts on the land. "The Oarai Sun Beach and Oarai Beach are bustling with activity in the summer. The Oarai Sea Tower, an eye-catching building that can be seen from the beach and the beach park, is a symbol of the area.

State-run Seaside Park:

The park has been renovated to include a bicycle course, a sports plaza, and flower gardens with daffodils and cosmos. There are more than 20 kinds of facilities such as a sightseeing park that boasts of a large sightseeing bus that is 100 meters above sea level, etc., and there is a wide variety of people who appreciate it.

Ibaraki Prefectural Flower Park:

The park is a flower and green park with about 30 hectares of vast land. There are flower beds with 30,000 roses of 500 varieties from all over the world, 3,500 peonies, and 3,000 tropical flowers and trees cultivated in a large greenhouse.