つくば(KEK)から約１時間の観光地　 　Sightseeing Spots within one hour driving

　There are not many historical points of interest worth seeing within a walking distance from the center
　of the Tsukuba city.
　A day trip with a car will get you to wide variety of things to see, Mito Kairakuen, Kasama, Makabe,
　Saikoh-in to name a few. Public transportation is very limited for sight seeing around this town.

　Google map

　 益子市 　Mashiko City 　 <アクセス Access pdf >

　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) Be aware that many places hibernate in winter since there are insufficient number of tourists in
　winter. Visit there when weather is warm.

　 偕楽園(水戸) 　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, making
　Kairakuen one of the three most famous parks of Japan.

　 ひたち海浜公園 　Hitachi Kaihin Park 　<pdf >

　It consists of flower gardens, sand dunes, amusement park, meadow, cycling paths, BBQ area etc. It is
　the site for the “Rock in Japan Festival” held annually in August. It is one of the four largest rock’n’roll
　music festivals in Japan.

　 茨城県大洗水族館 　Oarai Aquarium ＜アクセス Access pdf ＞

　There are about 580 types of marine lives in aqua world and especially it features the large number of
　sharks in japan.

　 笠間市 　Kasama City 　＜アクセス Access pdf ＞ <時刻表 Timetable >

　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).

　 大覚寺 　Daikakuji (temple)

　Ishioka City (ca.13th century) Said to be related to famous priests, Shin-ran and Ho-nem. Nice garden
　to walk around.

　 雨引観音 　Amabiki Kan-non (Temple)

　This temple also shows a classic example of shrine architecture. 13th century. North of KEK, 27km
　drive.

　 真壁町 　Makabe-machi 　　(ひな祭り　Doll Festival )

　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.

　 西光院 　Saikoh-in (Temple)

　Located on the North-East slope of Mt.Tsukuba, this temple provides nice view of Tsuchiura area. 40km
　from KEK.　

　 茨城県自然博物館 　　Ibaraki National Museum

　Ibaraki Nature Museum is beside Sugao Marsh that is the largest nature conservation area in Ibaraki.

　 シャトーカミヤ（牛久シャトー） 　Chateau Kamiya(Ushiku Chateau)

　Oldest winery in Japan. (1903). Located 25km south west of KEK.

牛久大仏 　Ushiku Daibutsu 　

ワープステーション江戸 　Warp station Edo

　 Japan. Endless Discovery
　 Japan -guide.com (Transportation in Japan): Transportation, Japan Sightseeing Guide
　 Willer Express (Easy online booking) : List of Highway-bus Service Routes.
　 Tokyo Sightseeing Bus-tours (Hato bus)
　 Tokyo Big Sight
　 JTB Sunrise Tours : Sightseeing Tours in English
　 Japan Economy Hotel Group
　 Hotel & Ryokan Search (Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association)(English)
　 Japan Rail Pass(English)