See Nemophila, Tulips, and Other Spring Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture Until Late May

Flower overview and blooming forecast

Flowering 2024 kicks off with vibrant yellow carpets of narcissus signaling the arrival of spring. Witness one million blooming narcissus of 230 different varieties from late March to mid-April.

Following that, the tulips have their turn, blooming amidst the tranquil pine forest, boasting 260,000 colorful blooms of 270 varieties from mid to late April.

The park’s highlight, however, is the sky-blue nemophila, also known as baby blue eyes. They cover an expansive area of 4.2 hectares on Miharashi Hill, creating the illusion of merging with the blue sky. About 5.3 million of these pastel-blue blooms can be admired from mid-April to early May. Additionally, you can buy a number of souvenirs themed on this adorable flower—think accessories, cookies, and macarons.

From mid-May to early June, enjoy the sight of 3,400 fragrant roses of 120 different varieties.

Local street food and weekend events

Until May 6, the festival offers a variety of local specialties from Ibaraki Prefecture, including staples from Hitachi Seaside Park such as grilled ham skewers, rice bowls topped with Hitachi beef steak, and large chicken meatball skewers.

The highlights, however, are the nemophila-blue soft serve ice cream and lemonade, perfect for taking Instagram-worthy shots against the ocean of pastel-blue baby blue eyes.

During the festival season, the park hosts many fun and engaging events on the weekends. Learn more about flowers and greenery at the Ibaraki Urban Greening Festival on April 28, see a brass band performance on May 5, help the locals plant rice on May 6, catch hula dance performances on May 12, and enjoy classical live music on May 25-26.

3 outdoor and nature activities to enjoy in Ibaraki Prefecture

Ibaraki is part of the Kanto Region and borders the Pacific Ocean northeast of Tokyo. It’s known for its beautiful natural landscapes, ideal for a day of outdoor adventures. Below, you can find three exciting activities across Ibaraki, all conveniently bookable through WAmazing.

Itako: Cruise the Maekawa River in a traditional Japanese boat

Enjoy a 30-minute cruise along the Maekawa River in Itako City in a traditional Japanese sappa rowing boat. Board the boat between the end of May and the end of June to witness a million irises of 500 varieties blooming in Suigo Itako Iris Garden along the river.

Listen to the relaxing sound of the rowers pulling the oars, and fully immerse yourself in the tranquil riverside district. In the past, these boats were not only a means of transportation to neighboring houses but also served to ferry cattle and navigate to the rice paddies.

Hitachinaka: Stroll the city in a beautiful kimono

Located near Hitachi Seaside Park, explore central Hitachinaka City for up to five hours while being dressed in a beautiful kimono. You can comfortably wear this traditional garment over your clothes, keeping you extra warm in early spring. Dressing takes only ten minutes, and you can already choose from a variety of designs during booking.

Ishioka: Enjoy horseback riding in the forest

This experience is perfect for both experienced riders and beginners. Following a short ten-minute lesson at the stable, an experienced guide will lead you on a trek through the forest. Listen to the soothing sound of flowing water from the nearby stream, see traditional thatched houses, and immerse yourself in the rural scenery and nature.

Budget-friendly travel passes to visit Hitachi Seaside Park and other places in Ibaraki Prefecture

Japan Railways offers a variety of transportation passes, which can be used to travel from Tokyo to other destinations in the Kanto and Tohoku regions.

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass allows unlimited rides for three consecutive days on trains and shinkansen in the Kanto Region, including Tokyo, Nikko, Mount Fuji, and Karuizawa, as well as access to Katsuta Station, which is close to Hitachi Seaside Park. The pass is exclusively designed for non-Japanese passport holders visiting or residing in Japan.

If you’re planning to combine your visit to Ibaraki Prefecture with destinations in the Tohoku Region, such as Yamagata, Fukushima, or Akita prefectures, opt for the JR East Pass (Tohoku area.) This pass is exclusively available for overseas visitors to Japan and valid for five consecutive days.

The JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata areas,) on the other hand, lets you explore not only Ibaraki Prefecture, but also Tokyo as well as Nagano and Niigata prefectures, with great sightseeing destinations along the coast of the Sea of Japan. It’s valid for five consecutive days, available exclusively for international tourists to Japan.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.