Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture is a prefecture located in the northeastern part of the Kanto region, approximately 100 kilometers away from Tokyo. The prefectural capital is Mito City. Ibaraki is blessed with natural beauty, offering a diverse landscape that includes coastlines, mountains, and lakes.
The prefecture is known for its agriculture, particularly around Mito City, where Nashi pears are grown. The mountains in the area, including Mount Tsukuba, offer hiking and climbing opportunities, while the numerous lakes, such as Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Tsuchiura, provide great spots for fishing and water sports.
Popular tourist destinations in Ibaraki include the aforementioned Hitachi Seaside Park, the National Hitachi Seaside Park, and Mount Tsukuba. Additionally, the prefecture is home to historical sites such as Kairakuen, a garden closely associated with the Mito Tokugawa family.
Ibaraki is easily accessible from Tokyo by car, train, or bus, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore nature, history, and traditional culture.
Nemophila menziesii
Nemophila, also known as Baby Blue Eyes, is an annual plant known for its beautiful blue flowers that bloom in spring. The flower language is “bond of love,” and the pale blue flowers give the impression of floating in the sky. Originally from North America, it is mainly found in California and Arizona, but is also widely cultivated in Japan.
At Hitachi Seaside Park, the Nemophila is famous for painting the hills in a stunning blue carpet every spring. The sight of about 4.5 million Nemophila plants in full bloom is truly breathtaking, attracting many tourists.
To realize this beautiful scenery, Hitachi Seaside Park calculates the sunlight hours based on the angle of the slope of the hill, and volunteers plant the flowers. This effort adjusts the blooming time of the Nemophila to the same period, providing visitors with an impressive view.
The Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park has become a popular spot for tourists from both Japan and abroad as a spring symbol in Japan.
When should I visit?
Nemophila is usually in full bloom from late April to early May. In Japan, during the spring season when Nemophila is in full bloom, many TV programs and news cover the beautiful scenery of Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park.
Tulips also bloom in late April to early May and the park is filled with various colors of tulips, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Daffodils begin to bloom from mid-April to early May. The white and yellow flowers give a sense of spring and can be enjoyed with Nemophila and tulips.
During this period, the Nemophila Festival is also held at Hitachi Seaside Park, attracting many tourists.
Therefore, late April to early May is the most beautiful time to see the flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park. However, this period is crowded with tourists, so please check transportation and parking information in advance. Additionally, the blooming period of the flowers may vary depending on the weather and temperature, so it is recommended to check the latest information on the park’s official website or social media before visiting.
How to access
JR Joban Line
From Tokyo: Take the Limited Express train from Shinagawa Station to Katsuta Station, which takes about 85 minutes.
From Iwaki: Take the Limited Express train from Iwaki Station to Katsuta Station, which takes about 60 minutes.
From Katsuta Station East Exit, take a taxi or a bus (Ibaraki Kotsu) for about 15 minutes.
Alternatively, transfer to the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line, which takes about 30 minutes to Ajigaura Station, and then take a taxi or a bus for about 10 minutes from the same station.
Other attractions
At Hitachi Seaside Park, you can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the year, not just during the Nemophila season. Alongside the famous blue flowers, you can also see other flowers such as tulips and daffodils blooming during springtime. These flowers can be enjoyed in the park’s flower beds and open spaces, allowing visitors to appreciate the full beauty of springtime flora in one place.
Tulips, which are famous as the representative flower of the Netherlands, are also widely cultivated in Japan. The park showcases a variety of tulips in different colors and shapes, creating a vibrant atmosphere. There are over 100 different tulip varieties that can be seen and appreciated in the park.
Daffodils, with their characteristic white and yellow flowers, are another flower that symbolizes the arrival of spring. Visitors can enjoy seeing daffodils blooming alongside the Nemophila and tulips during the same season. Daffodils are associated with the flower language of “pure love,” and their delicate appearance is a sure sign of the coming of spring.
The ability to enjoy Nemophila, tulips, and daffodils blooming simultaneously in one location is one of the great attractions of the park during spring. Visitors can be mesmerized by the beautiful scenery created by these flowers, and truly experience the unique charm of springtime. Families can also enjoy the amusement park located within the park, as it is popular with parents and children alike. With a variety of attractions and play equipment, children can have fun while parents relax and take in the park’s scenery. This is a wonderful place for families to spend a fantastic day together.
rental bicycles
You can rent bicycles at Hitachi Seaside Park and enjoy cycling around the park.
You can enjoy a picnic on the spacious grounds
Opening hours
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
From July 21 to August 31, the park is open until 6:00 PM. From November 1 to the end of February, the park closes at 4:30 PM.
Closed on
Every Tuesday.
There may be changes during the year-end and New Year holidays, as well as during peak seasons.
As of April 2023, please check the official website or other sources for more information.
ticket price.
Admission fee: Regular
| fees and charges | Admission fee |
|---|---|
| “Adult (high school student or above)” | ￥450 |
| Silver (65 years old and above) | ￥210 |
Period-limited admission fee (around 20 days from April to May) (around 10 days in October)
| fees and charges | Admission fee |
|---|---|
| “Adult (high school student or above)” | ￥700 |
| Silver (65 years old and above) | ￥460 |
The period is determined based on the growth condition of the flowers, so please check the website or other sources for details.
Parking fee
| Car types | Admission fee |
|---|---|
| Regular car | ￥520 |
| Large car | ￥1580 |
| Motorcycle | ￥210 |
Summary
Hitachi Seaside Park is a nature-rich park located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is especially famous for the beautiful Nemophila flowers that bloom in spring, attracting many tourists. During the spring season when Nemophila is in full bloom, this grand scenery is featured on television programs and news, gaining attention from many people. In addition, the park has an amusement park, which is also popular among families. The amusement park offers various attractions and equipment for children to enjoy, making it a great place for families to spend a wonderful day together. Admission fees vary depending on the period, so it is recommended to check the latest information on the official website in advance.
When visiting Japan this spring, be sure to visit Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture and experience the beautiful blue carpet of Nemophila. It will surely be a wonderful memory.
