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

Located in the Akino area of Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this vast flower field spans approximately 4 hectares and features one million multi-layered sunflowers. The "Akino Sunflower Festival" is held annually from late August to early September, transforming the entire land into a stunning golden landscape. The vibrant sunflowers, set against the expansive blue skies of early autumn and the ever-changing hues of Mount Tsukuba—green or purple depending on the sunlight—create a breathtaking natural spectacle. During the festival, the venue offers a "Cut Flower Garden" where visitors can pick sunflowers to take home. There are also live music performances, food stalls, sunflower-themed merchandise booths, and photo spots, making the event lively and enjoyable.

#hellohalloween At Saishoji Temple in Chikusei City, Ibaraki, the maple trees are at their peak—blazing in red, orange, and golden yellow. As sunlight filters through the leaves, the whole temple ground shimmers like it’s glowing. It’s one of those peaceful moments where you just stop and take it all in. The temple’s quiet, well-kept grounds make it a perfect spot for an autumn stroll. 📍Chikusei, Ibaraki #FallFoliage #HiddenGemsJapan #SaishojiTemple #AutumnInJapan #IbarakiTrip

#hellohalloween Nestled in the quiet city of Chikusei in Ibaraki Prefecture, Saishō-ji Temple (景勝寺) is a peaceful place to witness the beauty of Japanese autumn. During this season, the temple grounds come alive with vibrant shades of red and orange as the maple leaves begin to turn. When sunlight filters through the branches, the garden glows in a breathtakingly warm hue. The temple’s garden is especially well-maintained, reflecting the care and respect the locals have for this historic site. It’s the kind of place where time seems to slow down—perfect for a reflective walk or just to sit and soak in the seasonal beauty. Even though Saishō-ji is not as widely known as some other temples, that’s exactly what makes it so special. With fewer tourists, you can truly enjoy the serenity of the moment. If you’re exploring Ibaraki in autumn, this hidden gem is definitely worth a visit. 📍Saishō-ji Temple, Chikusei, Ibaraki #AutumnInJapan #TempleViews #HiddenJapan #Chikusei #FallLeaves

[Saishoji Temple] 📍Location: Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture 《Access》 Approximately a 28-minute walk from Tamado Station Approximately a 36-minute walk from Shimodate Nitakamae Station Approximately a 46-minute walk from Shimodate Station North Exit ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ The path to the temple gate With autumn leaves lining both sides, the view is breathtaking. A very quiet and well-maintained garden. Going further into the hall...it's no exaggeration to call it Chikusei City's Little Kyoto. The moss and bright red leaves were truly beautiful. ♥ Going further in, many people were taking photos with their cameras. The temple grounds are calming and unobtrusive. The garden incorporates Buddhist ideas... The temple particularly values ​​the teachings of the Thirteen Buddhas. The green maples and moss are stunning in May, and the hydrangeas bloom in June. It's a wonderful temple worth visiting in every season. #Ibaraki #AutumnFoliage #Koga #ZeroYenTravel2025Autumn #LittleKyoto

This was an amazing experience. We drove for approximately 2 1/2 hrs and did a 25 mins walk from the free parking area but it was worth it. I love doing jigsaw puzzles and the scenery deserved to be one. I was a bit scared to go over the suspension bridge, however, it wasn't that bad once I did. There are two observation decks to experience the waterfall from different levels.

📅 Itinerary Day1： Day2: Day3: 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips

Unforgettable summer vibes at Shimoda Matsuri 🇯🇵🎇 From lantern-lit streets to festival food and fireworks, this trip with my trio was straight out of a dream. Shimoda, you’ve stolen a piece of our hearts! 💖✨ #Tripcom #ShimodaMatsuri #SummerInJapan #FestivalMagic

The Chikusei Fireworks Festival, famous as a competition between Ibaraki's leading fireworks makers, is made up of Yamazaki Fireworks Factory Mori Fireworks Industry Nomura Fireworks Industry The Chikusei Fireworks are characterized by their overwhelming speed of approximately 20,000 shots per hour! The most comfortable viewing environment in Japan, at a roadside station! And there will also be special events for 2025, so be sure to check them out! The photographer's seat allows you to capture the fireworks from the base, making for a truly impressive experience! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chikusei Fireworks Festival 2025 📍 (Main Venue) Grand Terrace Chikusei Roadside Station 📍 (Sub-Venue) East Excite Seats, North Excite Seats 🗓️ Saturday, October 18, 2025 *Postponed to October 19 if canceled due to inclement weather ⏰ 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM (scheduled) 🚃 Approximately 10 minutes by bus from the north exit of Shimodate Station on the JR, Kanto Railway Joso Line, or Moka Railway 🚗 Approximately 25 minutes from Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway 🚗 Approximately 40 minutes from Joso IC on the Ken-O Expressway 🚗 Approximately 60 minutes from Yawara IC on the Joban Expressway 🚗 *Approximately 15 minutes by shuttle bus from the general parking lot 🎆20,000 fireworks 💫2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Chikusei City 💫Tickets go on general sale in early September 💫There's still plenty of time before general tickets go on sale, so you can plan accordingly ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #FireworksFestival #Ibaraki #IbarakiTrip #ChikuseiFireworksFestival #Chikusei

#DomesticTravel #TochigiTrip This is an omakase sushi lunch provided by a fishmonger. I was able to eat the omakase sushi lunch for ¥2,500 in March 2025. If the side dish you ordered isn't sold out, they'll sell it. Lunch is served until 2:30 PM. I ate here after 2 PM. If you're arriving later, it's best to check availability. It's a small restaurant, so it can get busy. The plates are lovely, too. The portions are generous, and there's a wide variety. Tea is all-you-can-drink, and they leave a teapot at your table.

I went to The Hirosawa City "Yumenova" in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture 🚗 This is a place where various collections such as real YS-11, Zero fighter, steam locomotive, bullet train, classic cars, and fire engines are stored and displayed ✨ The park also has a plaza, accommodation, and restaurants, making it a place that families can enjoy 🙂 The exhibits are divided into buildings by genre, so it's nice to be able to look around depending on what you're looking for 👀 I intended to go to see the aircraft and train cars, but I was also interested in the fire engines, motorcycles, and classic cars, so I ended up staying longer than I expected (lol) It's a bit far from Shimodate Station on the JR Mito Line, so I recommend getting there by car. (There are also buses from the station, but the number of buses is limited 💦) It's a place where many valuable real collections are displayed, so I think it's a spot where not only enthusiasts but also non-enthusiasts can make new discoveries 😊 #DomesticTravelRecord #TheHirosawaCity #IbarakiPrefecture #ChikuseiCity

#DomesticTravelRecord The Hirosawa Museum of Art is located in The Hirosawa City in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a "stone-focused museum" designed by architect Kengo Kuma, and uses about 6,000 tons of natural stone. The Japanese garden by landscape architect Chuichi Saito and the two gardens by landscape architect Shunsaku Miyagi are major attractions, along with the buildings designed by Kengo Kuma. There are other museums scattered throughout The Hirosawa City, including the Art Forest Annex, the Classic Car Museum, the Classic Bike Museum, and the Rail Park. There are also barbecue areas, cafes, accommodation, and a golf course. Check the website for more details.