Biwako Hakodateyama
Renovated and reopened in 2020, Biwako Hakodateyama offers seasonal flowers in summer and skiing across a snowy landscape in winter. Take an approximately 8-minute gondola ride through the air while admiring views of northern Lake Biwa. At the summit, approximately 630 m above sea level, a spacious and open setting awaits.
The view is fantastic here. You can see everything all around you.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a large park that spans an area of about 215 hectares. During springtime, daffodils, tulips, and nemophila bloom. In early summer, there are roses, and in summer, there are zinnias and sunflowers. Autumn brings forth kochia and cosmos. During winter ice tulips, plum blossoms, and other seasonal flowers bloom. In particular, the nemophilia that bloom from mid-April through early May are lauded for their gorgeous blue color, blending the sky, sea, and flowers together into a vast expanse of blue.
This is one of the most famous spots in Ibaraki. In autumn, the hills are covered with kochia, and there's always something to see here no matter the season.
Shirakawa-go (Gassho-Zukuri Village)
Shirakawa-go is a picturesque area where Japan’s traditional rural landscape remains intact. It has the largest concentration of gassho-zukuri buildings, with more than 100 structures of various sizes as of 2016. As Japan’s largest gassho-zukuri village, it has been designated a National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Shirakawa-go in winter is just magical. The heavy snow covering the gassho-style houses gives the whole village a unique and beautiful vibe.
Byodoin Temple
The site was originally used as a villa by Fujiwara no Michinaga, a powerful figure during the Heian period. His son, Yorimichi, inherited the property and converted it into a temple in 1052. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. Following renovations completed in 2014, it is said to have regained an appearance closer to its original form. The Amida Hall, which houses the principal image of Amida Buddha, is a highlight. Its magnificent symmetry is sure to captivate visitors.
Different temple buildings are scattered throughout the area. The most famous is the Phoenix Hall, with a pair of golden bronze phoenix statues on the roof. You can even compare them to the JPY 10,000 bill and 10 yen coin—the designs come from here.
Todaiji Temple
The Great Buddha Vairocana was commissioned by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period and consecrated in 752. The temple complex took nearly 40 more years to complete, making Todaiji one of Nara's most prominent temples. It continued to prosper under generous protection even after the capital was moved from Heijo-kyo.
The Great Buddha inside the hall looks so dignified, and the building itself is impressive. It's definitely worth buying a ticket to check it out.
Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera Temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Its 130,000-square-meter (about 1.4-million-square-foot) grounds extend across the slopes of Mt. Otowa and contain more than 30 temple buildings and monuments, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The temple is also worth seeing throughout the seasons, framed by cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, colorful leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.
The famous Kiyomizu Stage with its 139 pillars was under renovation, so I couldn't see the whole thing. What a shame...
Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots, along with the bay of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture. Across the length of this 3.6km landbridge you’ll find 5000 pine trees planted across its 20m-170m wide shores.
It's one of Japan's three most famous scenic spots. From the observation deck, everyone looks at Amanohashidate from between their legs—the pose is super funny and makes everyone laugh.