Tsukuba travel guide and discussion

After a day of enjoying Mount Tsukuba, I drove to Mito that night 🚗 I stayed at "Kinoie Guesthouse Annex" that night. I booked a mixed-gender dormitory room. The room was about 6 tatami mats in size, with bunk beds lined up, and one of them was my bed for the night. The beds were separated only by curtains, a very simple style. It's nowhere near a luxurious hotel, but the place was clean, and since I only needed a place to sleep after sightseeing that day, it was perfectly adequate 😊 And what surprised me most was the price! In November 2024, when I stayed there, there was a discount, and it was only 2,495 yen per night! 😳 I thought that for a day of travel where "all I need is a place to sleep!", something this simple is perfectly fine. Currently, "Kinoie Guesthouse Annex" is still offered as a mixed-gender dormitory in a renovated old house, and guests can use the kitchen, free Wi-Fi, showers, and washing machine. There was also a courtyard with a relaxing space. And near this inn, I found "Teuchi Soba Ninomae" (Handmade Soba Ninomae). The soba served here was quite special. They use "Hitachi Aki Soba," a representative soba from Ibaraki Prefecture. In particular, they use very precious buckwheat grown by hand on traditional steep slopes in areas such as Akatsuchi-cho in the Kanasago district and Tanaya-cho in the Suifu district of Hitachiota City. The soba is milled in-house as needed and carefully made. I just happened to stumble upon this restaurant nearby and went in, but later I was surprised to learn that "I was eating such precious soba!" Currently, this restaurant has been selected as one of the "Soba EAST Top 100 Restaurants 2025." Enjoy sightseeing to the fullest, keep accommodation costs down, and enjoy delicious local food nearby. I also love this kind of travel combination! ✨ 📍 Kinoya Guesthouse Annex 2-8-33 Kami-Mito, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture Check-in: 16:00-21:00 Check-out: 10:00 · 2,495 yen is the amount I paid when I stayed there in November 2024. Accommodation rates vary depending on the date and plan. 📍 Teuchi Soba Ninomae 3-7-15 Suehiro-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture · Business hours and closing days may change, so please check the latest information before visiting. #Ibaraki #Mito #MitoTourism #MitoTravel #KinoyaGuesthouse #Guesthouse #BudgetAccommodation #HitachiAkiSoba #TeuchiSobaNinomae #MtTsukuba #IbarakiGourmet #MitoGourmet #DomesticTravel #japantravel

If you're heading to Kanto in early spring and want to escape the city's cherry blossom crowds, I highly recommend a trip to the "Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove" in Ibaraki Prefecture! Located halfway up the mountain, the view is absolutely stunning. When the air is clear, you can overlook the entire Kanto Plain, and if luck is on your side, you can even spot Mt. Fuji in the distance. 🌸 Here’s a breakdown of the highlights and my honest thoughts on this plum-viewing trip: 1,000 Gradient Plum Trees Blanketing the Hillside The grove is planted along the slope, featuring about 1,000 white, red, and green calyx plum trees. While the steep trails might leave you a bit winded, the faint floral scent and the vibrant gradient of colors across the hillside are truly breathtaking! A must-see is the "Fukurai Plum," a unique local variety. We spent a good while there just to get the perfect shot, so be sure to look for it! A Lifesaver in the Cold: Piping Hot "Plum Udon" After a loop in the crisp early spring air, the highlight is definitely the nearby teahouse! I strongly recommend the local "Plum Udon." The noodles have a great chew, but the star is the sweet and sour plum, which adds a refreshing zing to the warm, savory broth. One sip of that hot soup and your body warms up instantly—it was the perfect reward for the walk! 🍜 Travel Tips & How to Get There 📍 Getting There: From Tokyo, take the Tsukuba Express (TX) to the final stop, "Tsukuba Station." Transfer to the "Mt. Tsukuba Shuttle Bus" and get off at "Tsukuba-san Jinja Iriguchi." It’s a short 5-minute walk from there. ⚠️ Pro-Tip: Since the trails follow the mountain terrain, the incline is no joke! I highly recommend wearing comfortable sneakers. Don’t wear heels just for the photos, or your feet will definitely be protesting by the end. Where is your favorite place to soak in the beautiful flower blooms in early spring?

After enjoying Mount Tsukuba, we headed to Oarai the next morning. Our destination was "Oarai Town Fisheries Cooperative's Mom's Shop," located very close to Oarai Fishing Port. Upon arrival, there was a long line in front of the shop! This popular shop, directly managed by the Oarai Town Fisheries Cooperative, offers fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Since I love shirasu (whitebait), my main goal this time was, of course, raw shirasu. I ordered the two-color rice bowl set meal for 1,500 yen, which allows you to enjoy both raw and boiled shirasu at once. The translucent raw shirasu was fresh and had a smooth texture. It was also great to be able to compare it with the plump boiled shirasu. Mixing in the egg yolk in the middle created a different deliciousness. There was also raw shirasu sashimi. I was very satisfied with being able to enjoy so much raw shirasu. The menu includes raw shirasu (whitebait) rice bowls and boiled shirasu rice bowls, as well as seafood rice bowls and boiled fish, making it a great place to stop by when you want to eat seafood in Oarai. It's a popular restaurant, so be prepared for a line, but it's a highly recommended Oarai gourmet spot for shirasu lovers. · The menu board shown is from the time of visit. Prices and contents may have changed since then. 📍Oarai Town Fisheries Cooperative, Kaachan no Mise 8253-20 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture 🕙 10:00-14:00 (Last Order) 🅿️ Parking available · Business hours and closing days may change, so please check the latest information before visiting. #Oarai #OaraiGourmet #RawShirasu #ShirasuRiceBowl #IbarakiGourmet #KaachanNoMise #MtTsukuba #IbarakiTourism #Oarai #JapanTravel

We headed to Mount Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture this time. I initially thought hiking two peaks would leave me exhausted, but we decided to take a "shortcut"—the ropeway from Tsutsujigaoka Station! 🚠 Here’s a breakdown of our route for easily conquering these two "100 Famous Mountains" peaks while enjoying plenty of food at the top: · *Ropeway Direct to Mt. Nyotai, then a Ridgeline Stroll to Mt. Nantai** Taking the ropeway is fantastic! In just 6 minutes, you gain significant elevation with an incredible view of the Kanto Plain stretching out below. After soaking in the stunning views at the summit of Mt. Nyotai, we headed across to Mt. Nantai. The trail connecting the two peaks winds through primitive forests and dirt paths. While the incline isn't too steep, you'll still break a bit of a sweat—perfect for working up an appetite! · *God-tier Comfort in the Cold Wind: Grilled Dango and Hot Amazake** After hitting both peaks, the highlight was hitting the rest area in between for food! It gets quite chilly with the mountain wind, so we immediately grabbed some freshly grilled dango. The dango had a slightly crispy, charred exterior and a chewy center. Paired with a cup of steaming hot amazake, the warmth spread through our bodies instantly. That feeling of satisfaction from eating hot food after a hike is easily the highlight of the trip! 🍡✨ 📍 **Useful Transport & Outfit Tips:** · **Getting there:** Take the Tsukuba Express (TX) to "Tsukuba Station," then transfer to the "Mt. Tsukuba Shuttle Bus" to the final stop, "Tsutsujigaoka." The ropeway ticket office is right there. · **Outfit advice:** Even with the ropeway, it's several degrees cooler at the summit than on level ground. The wind on the ridgeline can be strong, so a windbreaker is a must. Also, the path between the peaks is a natural dirt trail, so non-slip sneakers are essential! Next time you're planning a trip near the Kanto area, I highly recommend this route for the views and the food—treat yourself to some local snacks!

Mount Tsukuba, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, is located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. With its Tsukuba Shrine and numerous strangely shaped rocks and formations, it has long been a revered mountain and a power spot. This time, we'll start at Tsukuba Shrine. First, we'll visit the shrine grounds, then take the Tsukuba Cable Car from Miyawaki Station. The cable car takes about 8 minutes to Miyukigahara, at an altitude of approximately 800m. From Miyukigahara, we'll head to the two most representative peaks of Mount Tsukuba. ⛰️ Mount Nantai | Altitude 871m The distance from Miyukigahara to the summit of Mount Nantai is about 300m. Although it's a short distance, there are rocky areas and steep sections, and at the summit is the main shrine of Tsukuba Shrine. ⛰️ Nyotai-san (Mount Nyotai) | Elevation 877m - Highest Peak of Mount Tsukuba There is also a main shrine on Mount Nyotai, and the view from the summit is a highlight. Mount Tsukuba has two peaks: Nantai-san (Mount Nantai) and Nyotai-san (Mount Nyotai). And what I found most interesting this time was the "Shirakumo-bashi Course," which descends on foot from the Nyotai-san side. This course features a succession of named giant rocks and unusual rock formations, such as "Benkei's Seven Returns," "Mother's Womb Passage," and "Yin-Yang Stone." It's truly full of giant rocks, to the point where you think, "Are there more?" 😳 You crawl under large rocks and squeeze through gaps between them. Mount Tsukuba is interesting because it's not just a mountain trail, but you can enjoy it as a little adventure. On the way up, I enjoyed the spectacular views easily by cable car, and on the way down, I hiked the Shirakumo-bashi Course, visiting giant and unusual rock formations along the way. This is a great way to enjoy Mount Tsukuba, even for those who think, "Climbing the whole mountain is tough, but I still want to experience a hike that's typical of Mount Tsukuba." At Miyukigahara, there are restaurants and souvenir shops, and I even found sweets shaped like Mount Tsukuba! ✨ Even if your only goal isn't mountain climbing, Mount Tsukuba offers plenty to enjoy, from shrines and stunning views to cable cars, giant rock formations, and delicious food. *The photos and content are from a visit two years ago. Prices, menus, and facility information may have changed since then. 📍Mt. Tsukuba Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture ⛩️Start: Tsukuba Shrine 🚃Tsukuba Cable Car Miyawaki Station ⇔ Tsukuba Summit Station / Approx. 8-minute ride ⛰️Mt. Nantai: Elevation 871m ⛰️Mt. Nyotai: Elevation 877m (Highest peak of Mt. Tsukuba) 🥾For enjoying giant and unusual rock formations, take the Shirakumo Bridge course. 👟Since there are many rocky areas, comfortable, non-slip shoes are recommended. #MtTsukuba #IbarakiTourism #ShirakumoBridgeCourse #GiantRocks #PowerSpot #TsukubaTourism #CableCar #mttsukuba #japantravel

✨ 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.