Introduction
If you’ve seen the famous photos of endless blue nemophila or fiery red kokia at Hitachi Seaside Park, you might think that’s all Hitachinaka offers.
But beyond the flower fields lies a quieter, deeper Japan — one that unfolds in the rhythm of local life, sea breeze, and country roads.
This two-day itinerary starts at Katsuta Station, just over 90 minutes from Tokyo by JR Hitachi or Tokiwa limited express train.
From there, you can rent a car or take local buses to explore the coastline and countryside that most travelers never see.
Day 1: Seaside Colors and Local Tastes in Hitachinaka
9:00 AM – Start from Katsuta Station
Begin your journey at Katsuta Station, the gateway to Hitachinaka.
For travelers coming from Tokyo, it’s a smooth ride: take the JR Joban Line (Hitachi or Tokiwa) from Tokyo Station, and you’ll arrive in about an hour and a half.
Rent a car here if you plan to explore the coastline freely.
If you prefer public transport, buses and the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway make most attractions accessible.
9:30 AM – Hitachi Seaside Park: Walk Among Waves of Flowers
No matter the season, Hitachi Seaside Park transforms the landscape into a living painting.
In late April and early May, the hills are covered with millions of blue nemophila, while in October the same slopes turn scarlet with kokia.
Walk up Miharashi Hill, where the sea breeze meets the flower scent.
From the top, the Pacific Ocean stretches endlessly—a scene both cinematic and peaceful.
Take your time wandering.
You’ll see families walking calmly, couples taking photos enjoying the park.
11:30 AM – Drive Along the Ajigaura Coast
Leaving the park, head toward the Ajigaura coastline.
This seaside drive is one of my favorite routes in Ibaraki.
As you follow the winding road, sunlight glitters across the ocean, reflecting off fishing boats and quiet coves.
Unlike the monotonous straight roads you might find elsewhere, this one passes through fishing villages and narrow lanes lined with houses where locals hang their laundry in the sea breeze.
Every time I drive here, I imagine the people living along the shore, beginning their day with the sound of waves and the smell of salt. It’s a small but beautiful slice of everyday Japan.
12:00 PM – Lunch at HORIZOE: A Hidden Gem by the Sea
Just off the coastal road stands HORIZOE (ほりぞえ), a restaurant so unassuming that you might drive past without noticing it.
I had done so many times myself—each time telling my family, “Someday, we’ll eat there.”
When I finally stopped by on a quiet weekday afternoon, the restaurant was empty.
Outside, I could hear waves breaking softly against the rocks.
The salty air and the gentle rhythm of the tide seemed to whisper, “This is where good seafood waits.”
I ordered the Makanai Kaisendon, a chef’s-choice seafood bowl topped with the day’s sashimi trimmings.
No two bowls are ever the same; what you get depends on the morning’s catch.
The atmosphere was simple, even rustic—no decorations made for social media, just honest flavors for those who find joy in local places.
My family’s reaction was quiet, maybe because the sea breeze and the food spoke enough for all of us.
1:30 PM – Sweet Stop: Daimaruyā’s Dried Sweet Potato Gelato
After lunch, continue a little further inland to Daimaruyā (大丸屋), a local specialty shop famous for its hoshi-imo (dried sweet potatoes).
Their sweet potato gelato is a perfect blend of earthy sweetness and gentle chill—a flavor that can only exist in Ibaraki, Japan’s top sweet potato region.
2:00 PM – Coffee Break at Saza Coffee
Back near Katsuta Station, stop at Saza Coffee, a beloved local roaster that began right here in Hitachinaka.
Their “Specialty Blend” pairs well with the region’s gentle pace.
Named after the last shogun born in Ibaraki, Shogun Coffee recreates the flavor of the coffee people enjoyed about 150 years ago.
As you sip it, take a moment to feel the quiet devotion local residents still hold for their shogun — and let time slow down around you.
3:00 PM – Afternoon Options: North or Inland, Depending on Season
From here, the route splits by season:
🌸 Spring (April–May): Toward Kita-Ibaraki and the Sea
If you’re visiting during Golden Week(From end of April to beginning of May), continue north along the coast to Kita-Ibaraki.
After a seafood-heavy lunch, dinner calls for something different—perhaps a local wagyu steak.
For a refined meal, try Hitotsugi, known for Hanazono beef and Hitachi beef.
Or, if you’d rather blend in with locals, small family-run spots like Kōka.
”Koka’s Tantan-men is loved by locals.”
In nearby Tokai Village offer an authentic dining experience without pretense. (You can check the Tokai Village Food Guide linked at the end of this article.)
Overnight, stay in Kita-Ibaraki or neighboring Hitachi City, where comfortable hotels and seaside onsen inns are available.
🍁 Autumn–Winter (October–February): Toward Daigo’s Mountain Villages
In cooler months, leave the coast behind and drive inland toward Daigo Town, about 1 hour from Hitachinaka.
As the landscape changes, rice paddies give way to mountain roads that twist along the Kuji River.
The scenery grows wilder and more intimate—steep hillsides, cedar forests, and scattered housess.
When I first came here as a child—maybe ten or eleven years old—I was nervous.
My father had brought me for a long cycling trip, and I remember the cold air making my breath white as we pedaled through the valleys.
He promised me to bring me yakiniku(Japanese style BBQ) if I kept going, but I was too anxious even to answer.
Today, I come back as a parent myself.
I bring my own children to buy apples from Okukuji Apple Orchards and to play in the water near Fukuroda Falls.
The landscape hasn’t changed—the same mountains, the same river—but my relationship with Daigo has.
It’s no longer a place of challenge; it’s a place of warmth and memory.
6:30 PM – Dinner & Stay in Daigo
Dinner in Daigo celebrates local flavors.
If you like chicken, try Otonari, which serves the region’s famous Okukuji shamo (game fowl).
For a more traditional meal, Yamaki near Hitachi-Daigo Station is another excellent choice.
If you prefer to live like a local, visit Minowa, where regulars enjoy hearty double chicken cutlet sets and Minowa bentos in an atmosphere that feels like home.
Stay overnight at one of Daigo’s hot spring inns, where meals are often made from local vegetables and served with mountain hospitality.
Alternatively, staying in Tokai or Hitachi City gives more hotel options and access to modern conveniences—see the related guides at the end of this article.
Day 2: Apples, Waterfalls, and the Road Home
8:00 AM – Morning Walks in Daigo
Start your morning with a stroll along the Kuji River or a quiet village path.
From October to December, the air grows colder day by day.
My cheeks turn red like ripened apples, and each breath leaves my mouth in a pale white cloud—just like smoke rising from a chimney.
10:00 AM – Apple Orchards and Cafés
During autumn, Daigo’s apple orchards burst with color.
Stop by one to pick apples or buy a bag to take home.
Many cafés in the area serve apple pies and fresh juice using local produce. (See the Daigo Food Guide for recommendations.)
11:30 AM – Fukuroda Falls: Nature’s Masterpiece
Next, head to Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s three most beautiful waterfalls.
In winter, the falls occasionally freeze solid, creating a shimmering wall of ice—check local news for updates if you visit in January or February.
In autumn, the surrounding forest burns with red and gold leaves.
Whatever the season, the sound of water echoing through the valley is unforgettable.
1:00 PM – Lunch Before Departure
Before leaving Daigo, have lunch at Otonari, Mirando Fukuroda, or Minowa—each offering comforting local dishes perfect for travelers heading home.
Afterward, it’s time to return to Katsuta or Tokyo.
If you’re taking the train, ride to Hitachi Station, where the limited express stops.
Step out of the gate and browse the small souvenir shop for local snacks or dried fish to enjoy on the ride home.
Optional Spring Extension: The Ofune Festival in Kita-Ibaraki
If your trip falls around Golden Week, consider joining the Ofune Festival in nearby Kita-Ibaraki.
It’s a lively local event where huge wooden ships are paraded through the streets, celebrating the connection between people and the sea.
If you’re interested in the Ofune Festival, you can read more in the dedicated article here.
The Heart of Ibaraki Lies Between the Sea and the Mountains
Travelers often rush through Ibaraki for its famous parks and historical heritages, but this region rewards those who linger.
Between Hitachinaka’s shimmering coastline and the quiet valleys of Daigo, an ordinary kind of beauty stretches gently along the way — fish laid out to dry beside the coastal road, orchards heavy with bright red fruit, and farmers selling mushrooms from simple roadside stands.
These are not tourist attractions.
They are moments of everyday life that, when noticed, reveal Japan’s true charm.
Plan Your Trip
- 🚉 Access: From Tokyo, take the JR Joban Line (Hitachi/Tokiwa) to Katsuta Station (≈90 min).
- 🚗 Rental Car: Available at Katsuta Station; recommended for flexible travel.
- 🚌 Public Transit: Hitachinaka Seaside Railway and Ibaraki Kotsu Bus connect major sights.
- 🏡 Stay: Onsen inns in Daigo or seaside hotels in Hitachi/Kita-Ibaraki.
- ☕ Must-Try: Saza Coffee, dried sweet potato gelato, and Okukuji apples.
See More Ibaraki Destinations
Explore deeper into Ibaraki’s local life and flavors:
👉 Hitachinaka City Travel Guide
👉 Tokai Village Food Guide
👉 Hitachi City Highlights
👉 Daigo Town Travel Guide
👉 Kita-Ibaraki Ofune Festival (coming soon)