Kanto

Kairakuen Garden was constructed in 1842 by Nariaki Tokugawa, the ninth lord of the Mito domain. Most famous for its scenic plum trees, the Japanese garden also displays beautiful flower blossoms for every season, as well as a stunning view overlooking Lake Senba from the plum grove. Kodokan, a picturesque Japanese-style building, was a pioneering school of the Mito domain that taught a broad range of subjects comparable to the modern-day university.

One of the longest pedestrian bridges in Japan, Ryujin Suspension Bridge is a V-shaped, 375-meter-long suspension bridge that stretches over the beautiful Ryujin Lake in the Okukuji Prefectural Natural Park in Ibaraki Prefecture. While you may cringe at the terrifying height of 100 meters from the ground, the view from the bridge is super, including the mountain ranges of Yamizo and Abukuma in the distance and the village of Suifu below. Especially thrilling is looking down at the Ryujin Dam...

Over the month from late May to late June, around one million irises of 500 varieties blossom all at once during the Suigo Iris Festival held in the Iris Garden of Itako, Ibaraki Prefecture. Back in the days, the "Robune" rowboat was the day-to-day mode of transportation through the canals of Itako. Today, the robune is brought back to life just during this festival for a pleasant cruise. In addition, enjoy a host of events including the Yomeiri-bune (marriage boat) carrying a beautiful...

Situated in the Kanto Plain, Mount Tsukuba is the tallest mountain in Ibaraki Prefecture and is often compared alongside Mount Fuji for its stunning beauty as in the phrase "Fuji of the west, Tsukuba of the east." Its distinctive twin peaks are called Mount Nantai (male body) and Mount Nyotai (female body). The mountain surface continuously changes its color with the seasons and time of day and is also nicknamed Shihou (purple mountain) for its breathtaking purple shade when lit by sunset....