For those who’ve ever seen Hitachi Seaside Park on Instagram, you’ve most likely been tempted to go to. I felt this manner for a few years, though I resisted the urge till nearly a decade after my first journey to Japan.
Again earlier than covid-19 ruined 2020, the flower-filled idyll was presupposed to have been the centerpiece of that yr’s sakura journey, connective journey tissue between the cherry blossoms west and south of Tokyo, and people in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area. Clearly, we all know how that went.
The excellent news? I lastly made it to Hitachi Seaside Park in 2021 (and once more in 2026, because it occurs), albeit not with out some secondary and tertiary hiccups. The higher information? I’ll lay out all the things you should know as a way to plan your individual go to, whether or not you go to Hitachi Seaside Park from Tokyo, or keep in a single day someplace nearer to the park.
Why I (Lastly) Visited Hitachi Seaside Park
Though I’ve needed to see Hitachi Seaside Park with my very own eyes for a few years, it wasn’t till early 2020 that I first put concrete plans in place to go there. Sadly, SARS-CoV-2 and the fallout round it put an finish to all that. The excellent news is that I managed to enter Japan earlier than the tip of that yr (the pandemic impressed me to make good on my long-held want to formally research Japanese in Kyoto); I vowed to go to in 2021.
Once I first wrote this put up, it had been lower than 24 hours since I returned from the park; the expertise appeared fairly surreal, having been barely in my rearview mirror. Trying again now a few years later, and having returned far more lately, I can confidently say that it was as lovely as I anticipated (although additionally barely extra traumatic). Beneath, I’ll speak you thru the sensible steps of placing your individual journey collectively, earlier than making a broader judgment on the deserves of the place.
The best way to Go to Hitachi Seaside Park (from Tokyo or Elsewhere)
Determine between spring or autumn
Though Hitachi is most well-known for the “blue eye” nemophila flowers that cowl its Miharashi-no-oka hillside in mid-to-late April, there’s additionally a case to be made for visiting in autumn. In mid-to-late October, its kochia “summer time cypress” vegetation tackle a surprising scarlet coloration you need to see to imagine. Different flowers are on show throughout different elements of the yr, although these are clearly not fairly as spectacular as April’s and October’s.
Purpose to remain versatile
No matter once you plan to go to Hitachi Seaside Park, it’s essential to remain versatile, not less than for those who’re intent on observing the height. Forecasts often aren’t launched till a couple of weeks earlier than the season begins; even then, they will and do change. For those who’re on an extended journey (equivalent to one month in Japan) and might be extra spontaneous, you’ll maximize your probabilities.
Rigorously watch forecasts
For those who plan to see Hitachi within the spring (as I think about most of you do), needless to say a transparent, blue sky is critical for the very best photos. Whereas the flowers themselves are nonetheless lovely amid clouds and rain, the general panorama doesn’t have the identical mesmerizing impact if the climate is unhealthy. Add “Hitachinaka” to your cellphone’s climate app, and regulate it! Or, higher, monitor native climate through the Japan Meteorological Affiliation (JMA) web site.
Take into account renting a automotive
It’s straightforward sufficient to succeed in Hitachi Seaside Park by public transportation. Particularly, you’ll need to journey a restricted categorical Tokiwa or Hitachi practice from Shinagawa, Tokyo or Ueno stations to Katsuta Station, the place frequent shuttle buses can take you to the park entrance in about quarter-hour. Nevertheless, having a rental automotive will make it a lot simpler to discover the remainder of Ibaraki prefecture (and the northern Kanto area extra broadly, together with Tochigi and Saitama.
Discover the remainder of underrated Ibaraki
To make certain, Ibaraki-ken is thought among the many Japanese because the nation’s least engaging prefecture, a characterization I discover a bit harsh. Whereas I’ll concede that that is undoubtedly not probably the most thrilling place in Japan, there are nonetheless many worthwhile experiences, from the towering standing Buddha of Ushiku Daibutsu, to Mito metropolis’s Kairaku-en, one among Japan’s high three panorama gardens.
Is Hitachi Seaside Park Price Visiting?
Hitachi Seaside Park is price visiting for those who’re clear about particularly why you need to go, and make peace with the fee and strenuousness of getting/being there. Which is to say your journey must be about greater than getting a single shot for Instagram. For instance, I used to be capable of create two items of content material, and add one other proverbial coloration to the palette of locations I supply to my customized Japan itinerary shoppers.
Certainly, whereas the nemophila are beautiful when you attain the park, the potential for street bumps alongside the journey might be off-putting for those who aren’t completely dedicated. Even when the transportation to succeed in the park doesn’t intimidate you, I have to once more emphasize how essential having supreme climate is: The “blue eye” flowers merely aren’t wonderful sufficient to justify a visit to Hitachi Park until the sky is completely blue and clear as properly.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hitachi Seaside Park
When are you able to go to Hitachi Seaside Park?
Hitachi Seaside Park is open all yr, however the preferred instances to go to are in spring and autumn. Particularly, in mid-to-late April when the “blue eye” nemophila flowers are blooming and in mid-to-late October, when the kochia summer time cypress attain a scarlet peak.
How far is Hitachi Seaside Park from Tokyo?
Hitachi Seaside Park takes a minimal of 2-3 hours to succeed in from Tokyo, and doubtlessly longer. Essentially the most environment friendly approach to attain it’s to take a restricted categorical practice from Shinagawa, Tokyo or Ueno to Katsuta, the capital of Ibaraki prefecture, and taking a shuttle bus to go the remainder of the gap.
How do you get from Ibaraki to Tokyo?
Main cities in Ibaraki prefecture equivalent to Katsuta and Mito are linked to Tokyo through restricted categorical Hitachi and Tokiwa trains, which cease at Shinagawa and Ueno, along with Tokyo Station. Alternatively, you drive the expressway from Ibaraki to Tokyo in between 2-3 hours, relying upon the place your journey originates and terminates.
The Backside Line
Wish to go to Hitachi Seaside Park from Tokyo? The excellent news is that it’s lovely, and largely lives as much as the hype constructed up round it. The unhealthy information? It’s not for everybody. For many vacationers, it’s because the hassle required to succeed in the park (SPOILER ALERT: Renting a automotive is often the most suitable choice) won’t be well worth the reward you obtain upon arriving to the park, particularly if the climate is unhealthy or if it’s very crowded. Alternatively, for those who come to Japan even in small half attributable to its varied shows of seasonal magnificence, from flowers just like the cherry blossoms to good autumn colours, I’ve a sense you’ll benefit from the park as a lot as I did. Sound like time? Take into account hiring me to plan your subsequent Japan journey!