Hitachinaka City
Highlights of Hitachinaka City
Hitachinaka is a seaside town located in Ibaraki prefecture, about 75 minutes from Tokyo.
It is known as the ‘Flower & Seaside’ town and is famous for the Hitachi Seaside Park, where visitors come to enjoy the Nemophila flowers in spring and Kochia in autumn.
As Hitachinaka is a coastal city, it is a great place to enjoy seafood, with the Nakaminato fish market (那珂湊おさかな広場/Nakaminato Osakana Hiroba) offering good sushi and sashimi restaurants that are open in the morning.
Katsuta station (勝田駅) in Hitachinaka city is easily accessible from Tokyo, with direct express trains taking only 75 minutes. The most popular times to visit Hitachinaka are mid April to early May and October, but summer also offers fun festivals.
Access
From Tokyo to Katsuta Station.
- 75min from Tokyo by train (Katsuta Sta.).
- 2H drive from Tokyo by car
- 2h from Tokyo by Expressway Bus
From Airports
- 1h 40 min from Narita Itn. Airport (Car)
- 2h 20min from Narita Itn. Airport (Train)
- 2h 40 min from Narita Itn. Airport (Bus)
- 2 h from Haneda Airport (Train)
- 2h 10 min from Haneda Airport (Car)
- 50 min from Ibaraki Airport (Car)
- 1h 20min from Ibaraki Airport (Bus)
- 1h 30 min from Ibaraki Airport (Train)
Main Stations
- Katsuta Sta. (JR Joban Line)
- Hitachinaka Seaside Railway – Minato Line
Videos of Hitachinaka city
Places in Hitachinaka
Four seasons of Hitachinaka
Food and local specialty
Highlights of Hitachinaka in ENGLISH
Things to DO in Hitachinaka City
Flowers all seasons
Fish Market
Hoshiimo Shrine
Hitachi Seaside Park
One of Japan’s most popular flower parks near Tokyo. This large park by the sea is known for vibrant colors through the year such as Nemophila in the spring and Kochia in autumn giving you a sense of all four seasons. It also has a amusement park, forest athletic field, and BBQ area popular with young couples and families.
EATING in Hitachinaka City
Seafood (Sashimi, Sushi etc)
As Hitachinaka is by the sea, and has a fish market and restaurants where you can eat a lot of fresh fish. Try delicious Sushi and Sashimi (or a Sashimi bowl like the photo!)
Hoshi Imo
(Dried Sweet Potato)
One of Ibaraki prefecture’s speciality is dried sweet potato called Hishiimo (ほしいも). It is an extremely healthy snack with no added sugars or flavors.
Nakaminato Yakisoba
Another local speciality is Nakaminato style Yakisoba. This Yakisoba is made using slightly thicker noodles and steamed using ‘Tenobe Seiro Mushi Men (手延べせいろ蒸し麺)’ style.
Japanese Food
There are many Japanese restaurants in Hitachinaka. For early morning bites visit Nakaminato Fish Market, and for evening there are many restaurants near Katsuta Station.
Western Food
Hitachinaka has a variety of western style restaurants. Check out near Katsuta station as well as main roads for Family restaurants (budget restaurants).
COFFEE
Saza Coffee is a well known coffee chain that started in Hitachinaka. There is Edo period style ‘Shogun coffee’ as well premium Geisha coffee so make sure to check it out when you are in Hitachinaka city.
Places to STAY in Hitachinaka City
Hotels (Western style)
There are several business style western hotels in Hitachinaka.
Onsen Ryokan
There are not many Ryokansin Hitachinaka.
Hotel Crystal Palace
A western-style affordable hotel conveniently close to Hitachi Seaside Park, Oarai, and Ajigaura, which are famous sightseeing spots near Tokyo. Also easily accessible from Mito. (The nearest station is Katsuta)
Holiday rental (Airbnb)
There are several Airbnbs.
Find the full list of airbnb’s available at aribnb here.
Day trips from Hitachinaka City
Each of these places are within a day trip away. Click on the image to find out more.
Hitachinaka in the Press etc
Over 5 Million Tiny, Blue Flowers Have Bloomed in This Park in Japan
A sea of blue nemophila plants in bloom is luring visitors to Ibaraki in Japan
10 Places You Have to See to Believe
21 best places to visit in October
About Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Pref.
