A day trip with a car or train will get you to wide variety of things to see, Mito Kairakuen, Kasama,
Makabe, Saiko-in to name a few. Public transportation is very limited for sightseeing around some
town.
| Place |
Description |
Good Seasons |
| Garden/Park/Aquarium |
茨城県大洗水族館
Oarai Aquarium |
There are about 580 types of marine lives in aqua world and
especially it features the large number of sharks in japan.
Access: Please see the PDF  |
 |
ひたち海浜公園
Hitachi Kaihin
Park |
It consists of flower gardens, sand dunes, amusement park,
meadow, cycling paths, BBQ area etc. It is one of the four
largest rock’n’roll music festivals in Japan.<Guide>
Access: Please see the PDF |
Any season.
|
偕楽園
Kairaku-en(Mito) |
The Kairakuen was a landscape gardening project started by
Nariaki Tokugawa. The park opened in July 1842.
The Kairakuen was built for not only feudal lords or feudal
warriors, but also for commoners. Therefore, the design
incorporates characteristics from modern parks as well as a
formal Japanese landscape gardens.
In early spring, about 100 different types of plum trees bloom
with a total of 3000 flowers. Access: Please see the PDF |
Season of
plum trees |
牛久大仏
UshikuDaibutsu |
Located 25km south west of KEK.
Access: Please see the PDF Timetable for Aug.11-Aug.16 |
Any season |
ワープステー
ション
江戸
Warp station Edo |
It is a history park reproducing the rows of houses of Edo in
Minami-Ota, Tsukubamirai-shi. Driving time will be around
50minutes (24km) from KEK. Access: Please see the PDF |
Any season |
| Temple |
雨引観音
Amabiki Kannon |
This temple shows a classic example of shrine architecture.
13th century. North of KEK, 27km drive. |
 |
西光院
Saikoh-in |
Located on the North-East slope of Mt.Tsukuba, this temple
provides nice view of Tsuchiura area. 40km from KEK.
There is the Ibaraki Flower Park near Saiko-in |
Any season |
| Museum/Museun Airt |
茨城県自然博物館
Ibaraki Nature
Museum |
Ibaraki Nature Museum was opened in 1994 as a new type of the museum for
the 21st century based on the concept ‘learning from the past, knowing the
present and foreseeing the future.’
Access: KEK-(bus)-Tsukuba Center-(on foot)-Tsukuba Sta.-(TX)-Moriya Sta.-
(bus, bound for Iwai 岩井)-Shizen Hakubutsu-kan Iriguchi-(on foot)-
National Museum |
茨城県陶芸美術館
Ibaraki Ceramic Art
Museum(笠間) |
Access: http://www.tougei.museum.ibk.ed.jp/access/index.html (JP)
http://www.tougei.museum.ibk.ed.jp/english/access/index.html (eng) |
笠間日動美術館
Kasama Nichido
Museum of Art |
Access: Please see the PDF |
茨城県近代美術館
The Museum of
Modern Art Ibaraki |
Access: Please see the website (Japanese) (English) |
| Other |
笠間市
Kasama City |
Well known for "Kasama-Yaki" potteries. Kasama-Yaki style
started in late 18th century by a potter 'Cho-e-mon'. Visit
museums and various potters. Small but a nice art gallery,
Nitchi-Doh Bijyutukan,has some nice collections. Located 30km
north east of KEK. Driving time will be around an hour(56km)
Access: Please see the PDF |
Any season.
But season
of azaleas is
best
|
益子市
Mashiko City
|
Well known for "Mashiko-Yaki" potteries. Famous potter Shoji
Hamada made this city well known.
Mashiko-Kinenkan(Museum) was a house/workshop of Hamada,
which originally was a large farm house.
Excellent collection of various potteries. Located 30km north of
KEK. Requires about an hour of driving.
You could try a wheel and make your own art. They will teach
you how to use a wheel.(Tsukamoto-Seito)
Access: Please see the PDF |
Any season
|
真壁町
Makabe-machi |
Drive north on Rt.408 (Higashi-Odori). Turn right and then left
so that you go toward Mt. Tsukuba. Stay on the road (Rt.14)
passing the road to Mt .Tsukuba until you come to the "Ta"
intersection (at 15.9km from KEK). You can park your car near
festival place. (ひな祭り Doll Festival ) |
Doll Festiva.
Begining of
Feb-Mar.3 |
牛久シャトー
UshikuChateau
|
Oldest winery in Japan. (1903). Located 25km south west of
KEK. About 8min. on foot from Ushiku Station.
Access: KEK-(bus)-Tsukuba Center-(bus)-Hitachino-ushiku Sta.
-(JR Joban Line)-Ushiku Sta.-(on foot)- Chateau Kamiya
|
Any season.
But,
Cherry
blossom's
season
is
best. |
KEK Top
つくば(KEK)から約１時間の観光地 
