Ibaraki Sea Torii, the Gate to the Gods
Ibaraki is a relatively small destination near Tokyo, but it has a lot of places worth visiting.
The airfare to Ibaraki is also cheaper than that to Tokyo.
The most important thing you cannot miss in Oarai Town in Ibaraki is the sea torii built on the rocks.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine stands beside the rugged coastline, facing the Pacific Ocean and is washed by the waves all year round. The torii gate is called Kamiso Torii, which means the torii gate on the Shinmei Beach.
The sea torii is a favorite of photographers. Wait for the stars here late at night and bid farewell to the sunset here in the evening.
After viewing the Torii, you can visit the shrine and climb the tall stone steps to overlook the Pacific Ocean. You can also take your kids to play in the water at Oarai Beach.
📸Recommended nearby attractions:
🌸Kaieren Garden:
Built in 1842. It is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama. A great place to enjoy plum blossoms in winter, the garden has more than 100 varieties and over 3,000 plum trees.
🌊Hitachi Seaside Park:
From late April to mid-May every year, the mountains are covered with blue butterflies, blending in with the sky and the sea. Known as "a must-see view before death"
🎏Ryujin Suspension Bridge:
You can enjoy Japan's highest bungee jumping
🚃Hitachi Station:
The glass station on the sea, with transparent floor-to-ceiling windows to see the most beautiful sea view.
⛩Oiwa Shrine:
188 gods are enshrined here. It is said to have a history of thousands of years. Inside the shrine, there is a 9-meter-long, 50-meter-high, and over 600-year-old sacred tree, which is quite stunning.
🌸Peace Avenue:
A great place to enjoy cherry blossoms in March, with 14,000 Yoshino cherry trees blooming all over the street
🍱Nearby food recommendations:
🦀Nakaminato Seafood Market:
A local market, where you can enjoy the best seafood with the least money.
🐟Anglerfish:
A local specialty of Ibaraki. The meat is chewy and the bones are like cartilage and can be chewed. The liver is even more delicious, like goose liver but more delicate.
🛌Accommodation recommendation:
♨️Oarai Hotel:
The location is unbeatable, and Oarai Beach is just downstairs. Hot spring hotel, some rooms have private baths. Enjoy the sea view while taking a bath.
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