2026 Tsukuba Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

✨ While cherry blossoms symbolize spring, hydrangeas are the true stars of Japan’s rainy season. In Ibaraki, you’ll find fewer crowds, more space to explore, and some of the most stunning floral displays in the country. 📍 Top Hydrangea Spots in Ibaraki: 🌿 Amabiki Kannon Temple 🌿 Howaen Garden (Mito) 🌿 Sakatsura Isozaki Shrine 🌿 Mount Tsukuba Hydrangea Areas 📅 Best time to visit: Mid-June to early July 📸 Don’t miss the floating hydrangeas at Amabiki Kannon #Ibaraki #HydrangeaSeason #Ajisai #AmabikiKannon #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #HiddenJapan #SummerInJapan #FlowerPhotography #TripMoments 💜🌿✨

By chance, I came to the hot spring resort Tsukubasan Onsen Edoya, located on Mount Tsukuba. This resort hidden in the mountains gave me an unforgettable stay. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Edoya's architecture is simple and elegant, blending perfectly with the surrounding natural environment. As soon as I entered the room, the cozy decor and comfortable bed immediately made me feel relaxed. The mountain view outside the window is picturesque and refreshing. The most unforgettable experience here is the hot spring. Edoya's hot spring water comes from deep underground and is rich in minerals, with excellent health benefits. I couldn't wait to jump into the hot spring and feel the gentle embrace of the water, instantly relaxing my body and mind. While enjoying the hot spring, you can also enjoy the distant mountain view and nearby trees, which is truly refreshing. In addition to the hot springs, Edoya also offers a variety of entertainment activities. I joined a local hiking tour, walking along the mountain trails and enjoying the magnificent natural scenery. In addition, there are yoga classes and massage services, allowing me to relax my body and mind while on vacation. In terms of dining, Edoya's restaurant offers local delicacies and its own specialties. I tried the local sushi and hot spring eggs, which were delicious and left me wanting more. In addition, there are exquisite Japanese and Western dishes for me to choose from. Dining here is not only a taste enjoyment but also a cultural experience. During my stay at Edoya, I felt truly relaxed and peaceful. The staff here are warm and friendly, and the service is attentive, making me feel as comfortable as at home. This stay made me deeply appreciate the charm of hot spring resort travel and gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture and natural scenery. In short, Tsukubasan Onsen Edoya is a recommended resort. Whether you want to relax and enjoy the hot springs or explore nature and taste delicious food, this place can meet your needs. If you want an unforgettable stay, why not try it here!

The moment I stepped into Hotel JAL City Tsukuba, I felt like I had entered a peaceful harbor. Here, the warm check-in experience allowed me to completely relax and enjoy a wonderful journey. 🌈 Room Layout As soon as I entered the room, I was attracted by the warm tones. The elegant wall colors, soft bedding, and bright lighting all exuded a sense of warmth and comfort. Every detail was carefully designed to create a feeling of being at home. 🛏️ Bedding Experience I must mention the comfortable bedding. As soon as I lay down, I felt like I was surrounded by soft clouds, instantly forgetting the fatigue of the day. The high-quality mattress and pillows allowed me to sleep soundly and wake up refreshed for the next day's journey. 🍴 Dining Experience The hotel's breakfast offers a wide variety of choices, from traditional Japanese breakfast to Western breakfast. Every dish is visually appealing and delicious, making me eager to eat. Here, I not only tasted delicious food but also felt the warmth of home. 🛍️ Service Experience The hotel staff were very friendly and attentive, always smiling and making me feel at home. Whether it was asking about nearby tourist attractions or needing help with small issues, they patiently answered my questions and provided assistance. 🌳 Surrounding Environment Hotel JAL City Tsukuba is conveniently located with a pleasant surrounding environment. It is within walking distance to nearby shopping centers and restaurants, providing great convenience for travelers. 💼 Business Facilities For business travelers, the hotel also offers comprehensive business facilities. Whether it's the office area or meeting rooms, they are equipped with advanced equipment, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable rest environment amidst your busy work. 🌌 Conclusion During my stay at Hotel JAL City Tsukuba, I felt the warmth and comfort of home. Whether it was the room layout, bedding experience, or dining service, I was very satisfied. If you are looking for a warm and comfortable accommodation environment, Hotel JAL City Tsukuba is definitely a great choice. I will choose to stay here again on my next trip!

[Onaya Wada Tsukuba Branch] Wada-ya plays Akiko Wada's song BGM Akko's pressure is strong from the entrance 🤣 I stand on a big footprint, put my palms together to open the automatic door, and enter the store while shaking hands with the giant hand ⭐️ I came on a trip because I wanted to open this door 😂 The food is authentic with a lot of quantity and light seasoning 😋 They also offer shabu-shabu, Japanese cuisine, and banquet courses. It's conveniently located near Tsukuba Express Kenkyu Gakuen Station ♪ 📍Location: 5-8-4 Kenkyu Gakuen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture 💰Price per person: 3,000 yen 🕰️Business hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-23:00 Open all year round #Tsukuba #Ibaraki #Ibaraki trip #0 yen trip November

Who said that Tsukuba doesn't have many places to visit? We would like to recommend another place, the Yanakanomori Old House, which was built over a hundred years ago. It was the home of a very wealthy person in the past. Now the owner has opened it for visitors to see the grandeur and preservation of traditional Japanese culture. The entrance fee is only 300 yen. For those who are afraid of not understanding, there is a volunteer guide who is a student from Tsukuba University who will explain the history of the house in English. #Get a discount without relying on luck

#MyTravels With us Because they are particular about freshly baked bread, they have a large stone oven inside the store. You can watch the bread being baked at high temperatures and taken out of the oven one after another. They always offer delicious, piping hot freshly baked bread, with a wide variety of breads, from their specialty hard breads to sweet breads for children, sandwiches, and savory breads.

#Travel with Me The interior of "Sumibi Yakiniku Toraj Tsukuba" reproduces the style of the main store in Ebisu. It has a calming atmosphere, using warm wood. It is the perfect space for couples and families, with table seats by the window and a semi-private raised tatami room on the side. Even families can enjoy yakiniku.

#TravelWithMe Saza Coffee is a specialty coffee shop with its headquarters in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture. They do direct trade with overseas companies and own their own farm in Colombia. The greatest value of coffee is its aroma, which is easily changed in both quantity and quality, but this coffee shop makes full use of science and technology to provide coffee "anytime, anywhere, for anyone" by cherishing the "three aroma values."

#TravelingWithMe Even if you have never tried Mexican food, you can enjoy authentic Mexican food along with the interior design at El Torito Tsukuba. They also have a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, including beer and cocktails. Please try them when you come to Tsukuba. Address: 2-16-4 Amakubo, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#Travel with Me La Cote d'Azur is a French pastry shop with its main store in Higashiarai, Tsukuba city, founded 32 years ago. This famous pastry shop in Tsukuba is filled with the owner's desire to "create a store that attracts many people" just like the Cote d'Azur, a summer resort in southern France that is rich in nature and famous as a place of art.

#TravelWithMe "Kuradashi Yakimo Kaitsuka" operates six directly managed stores (Kasumigaura main store, Tsukuba store, Aeon Tsuchiura store, Nagareyama Otakanomori store, Play Atre Tsuchiura store, and Lazona Kawasaki Plaza store) that specialize in baked sweet potatoes, mainly in Ibaraki Prefecture. In addition to baked sweet potatoes, there are various other sweet potato related products available, and the cafe corner offers a comfortable dining menu with parfaits, soft serve ice cream, and other sweet treats.

#TravelWithMe West House Main Branch in Tsukuba City is a long-established Western restaurant in Tsukuba that was founded in 1982. It has been carving out history together with the local community for over 30 years. The demi-glace sauce is made over five days and is an authentic dish that uses plenty of aromatic vegetables to bring out the full flavor of the meat. It is a superb sauce made through a multi-step process. Be sure to give it a try. Address: 2-14-12 Ninomiya, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#Travel with Me Drool Diner, located in Tekoi, Tsukuba City, near Toyosato Civic Hall, is a cheeseburger specialty store where you can choose from six types of cheese, including cheddar and mascarpone. Address: 924-7 Tekoi, Tsukuba City

#Travelwithme Hyakkotei is based on the concept of food being medicine and has expanded mainly in the southern part of the prefecture, including the Tsukuba Science City. It is a restaurant where you can enjoy typical home cooking from all over China at reasonable prices. Address: 894-3 Higashihiratsuka, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#TravelWithMe Taiseiken is a popular Chinese restaurant in Tsukuba City. It's delicious, cheap, fast, and the best value for money. The noodles are well-portioned, but many young people order the extra large portion (+200 yen). The fried rice here is addictive. Address: 1-7-13 Amakubo, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#TravelingWithMe Nayuta is a handmade soba restaurant in Tsukuba. The recommended dish is the "Tsukekamo Soba." The soba is delicate and goes well with the rich duck soup and yuzu flavored tsuyu. It also contains a generous amount of thick duck. Before the food comes out, they also serve handmade tofu, which allows you to fully enjoy the sweetness and deliciousness of soybeans.

#TravelWithMe Basically, it's a "noodle factory." Takeaway "takeout ramen" is a very popular shop, but it is also possible to eat the ramen inside the store, which Matsuya Seimenjo regards as a paid "tasting" service.

#TravelingWithMe Located about a 12-minute walk from Tsukuba Station and near Takezono Park, "Sushi Takemoto" is a sushi restaurant that offers delicious a la carte dishes in addition to sushi. The interior is clean and comfortable. If you come to Tsukuba, be sure to try it. Address: 2-6-1 Takezono, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#TravelWithMe Makoto Sushi, located about a 6-minute drive from Tsukuba Station, is a popular restaurant where you can eat delicious sushi. For lunch, nigiri sushi starts at 800 yen, so it's good value for money. The interior of the restaurant has a retro Showa-era atmosphere, with tatami seating and table seating behind the counter.

#TravelingWithMe It's been six years since they opened in Ishioka, and 15 years since they opened in Tsukuba. They still go directly to Toyosu and make sushi using traditional techniques from carefully selected seasonal seafood without compromise. The true joy of Edomae sushi is being able to fully enjoy the umami and sweetness of the fish by doing everything carefully.

#Travel with Me Sushi Tsukasa Yoshitake is an Edomae sushi restaurant in Tsukuba City. It is within walking distance of TX Tsukuba Station. It is a local restaurant, but the taste is excellent and the portions are large. The interior of the restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere. Address: 1F Takezono Shopping Center, 3-18-2 Takezono, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#Travel with Me "Sushidokoro Yagura" has its main store in Tsukuba City and its Tsuchiura store in Tsuchiura City, and both stores are popular sushi restaurants. The sushi is big and delicious, so it's easy to see why it's so popular. Address: 1-8-8 Takezono, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

#TravelingWithMe The bowl of ramen named after the restaurant, Kigenmon, is a popular staple with its rich seafood and pork bone soup. There are many ramen options at Kigenmon, including the even richer vacuum soba and the light and refreshing flying fish broth with its delicate flavor. Each ramen is highly refined, making it a restaurant you'll want to return to again and again until you've tried them all. The homemade noodles, which are made differently depending on the soup, are crispy and delicious.

#TravelingWithMe This ramen has a strong salty taste, typical of this ramen shop. The viscosity and sharpness are just right. The pork slices are thin but still satisfying. The noodles are chewy and have a strong presence that matches the soup. Please give it a try. Address: 2-20-2 Gakuen-no-mori, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture

#Travel with Me The No.1 dish, "Stewed Beef Tendon," is best served with cold, firm noodles. It also comes with a dipping sauce, making it a dish that you can enjoy in two ways. Of course, the soft-boiled egg topping is a must. And we recommend the 1.5-portion serving of noodles.

#TravelingWithMe 15 years have passed since Katsuryu's first store. We currently have 10 stores in Ibaraki and 6 sister brand stores. As a pioneer of authentic seafood and pork bone tsukemen in Ibaraki, we created a huge boom in Tsukuba. Katsuryu's tsukemen is probably the most popular tsukemen in Ibaraki.

#TravelingWithMe This ramen is salty, rich, tasty, and hearty. It has an exquisite balance. Its appeal is in the pork bone and soy sauce based soup. Please give it a try. Address: 3-12-1 Azuma, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture

#TravelingWithMe It's located in the Takezono area, about 12-13 minutes walk from Tsukuba Station. They have three types: soy sauce, salt, and dried sardines, and you order them using a ticket machine. Special toppings include seaweed, shredded seaweed, radish sprouts, pork loin, chicken breast, egg, wonton, and white sesame.