Introduction Daigo Town (大子町), located in the northwestern corner of Ibaraki Prefecture, is a place where mountains and clear rivers shape everyday life. While it’s widely known for Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls, Daigo is also a hidden gem for food lovers. Here, you’ll find specialties like Okukuji Shamo chicken, apples […]
Introduction Just 90 minutes north of Tokyo, Hitachi City (日立市) in Ibaraki Prefecture is a hidden gem where the Pacific Ocean meets the Abukuma Mountains. Known mainly as an industrial city, Hitachi is also blessed with stunning coastlines, scenic hiking trails, and countryside orchards.Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, or simply looking for a
Introduction: Discover Hitachi’s Local Food Scene Hitachi City in northern Ibaraki may be known as the birthplace of Hitachi Ltd., but beyond its industrial image lies a city rich in flavors. Facing the Pacific, it serves some of Japan’s freshest seafood, while inland you’ll find premium wagyu beef, handmade soba, and a rare local sake
Tokai Village Hidden Gems: Discover the Tokai 12 Views Located between Hitachi City to the north and Hitachinaka City to the south, Tokai Village (東海村) in Ibaraki Prefecture offers a unique mix of quiet farmland, seaside landscapes, and cultural heritage. The Tokai 12 Views (東海十二景) were selected in 1991 based on the voices of local
Why Trash Rules in Japan Can Be Confusing If you are traveling in Japan, one of the first surprises is that trash bins are very hard to find. Even in big cities, you won’t see many on the streets. This is partly because local governments want to keep public spaces clean and prevent littering. Another
Just a 15-minute drive from Hitachi Seaside Park—famous for its baby blue nemophila and fluffy red kochia—you’ll find a quiet and often overlooked town: Tokai Village. Tokai Village may not be a well-known tourist spot, but it has hidden places and local experiences worth exploring beyond food. If you’re curious, check out our guide to
Welcome to the World of Japanese Onsen Hello to all of you planning your 109th trip to Japan! If you’re venturing beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, chances are you’ll encounter one of Japan’s best-kept secrets—rural hot spring towns where the steam rises gently into the mountains and time seems to slow down. But before you
