Biwako Hakodateyama Mountain
Renewed and reopened in 2020, Biwako Hakodate Mountain offers seasonal flowers in summer and skiing in the silvery white world of winter. You can take an 8-minute gondola ride while enjoying the scenery of Lake Biwa. Once you reach the top of the mountain, which is about 630 meters above sea level, you will feel a sense of freedom.
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 (Historic Village)
Shirakawa-go, a beautiful area where traditional Japanese scenery still exists, is home to the largest number of still-standing traditional “gassho-zukuri” Japanese homes. As of 2016, there are around 100 buildings still standing, both large and small. It is the largest remaining historic settlement in Japan, and it is preserved as a Group of Traditional Buildings in the register of Cultural Properties of Japan.
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
An imperial authority in the Heian Period, Fujiwara Michinaga used this place as a vacation home. His son Yorimichi inherited, converted and opened it as a temple in 1052. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The remodeling in 2014 brought it back closer to its original state. The main Amida Buddha statue in Amida Hall is worth a look. You will be amazed by the symmetrical beauty of the building.
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
In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex.
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.
Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
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.