10 recommended tourist spots in Toride, the gateway to Ibaraki

Toride, located at the gateway to Ibaraki, is a town known for its excellent accessibility, allowing residents to reach Ueno in about 40 minutes. Due to this convenient location, Toride has become a popular commuter town for salarymen working in the city. Given this, some people may wonder, "Are there really any tourist spots in Toride?"

Toride is a town blessed with abundant water, nurtured by the flow of the Tone River and Kokai River. Historically, it flourished as the post-town "Toride-juku" along the Mito Kaido highway. The city is dotted with historical sites, including early modern architectural structures and preserved townscapes. Visitors can also experience a rare traditional ferryboat, enjoy the Keirin (bicycle racing) stadium, or attend vibrant fireworks festivals. Toride is a town where sightseeing can be both fun and culturally enriching.

This time, we have carefully selected tourist spots that will change the common perception of "Toride = commuter town"!

1. Kobori Ferry

The Tone River in the past meandered more complexly than it does today and frequently overflowed its banks. The section of the river flowing through Toride also had significant meanders, leading to a bypass construction project in 1914 to improve flood control, creating the current river course. This construction left the Kobori district, which was originally on the north bank of the Tone River, isolated on the south bank. To resolve the inconvenience caused by this separation, local residents took the initiative to operate a ferry service, marking the beginning of "Kobori Ferry."

Initially, the ferry primarily served as a means of daily transportation rather than a sightseeing attraction, and only a few tourists would occasionally take a ride. However, due to the presence of "Old Tone Marsh," a body of water formed by the river’s redirection, the ferry became popular among fishing enthusiasts, who frequently use it as part of their tourism experience.

Kobori does not have any schools, so until about ten years ago, elementary and junior high school students commuted by ferry with their bicycles to attend schools on the opposite bank (Toride Elementary School and Higashi Junior High School). Today, a shuttle bus operates across both banks of the Tone River, and the ferry, which served as a vital transport link for years, has now been repositioned as a sightseeing boat.

The ferry previously operated between two points: "Kobori" and "Toride Riverside Sports Park Parking Lot." Recently, an additional stop, "Toride Fureai Pier" (located near the underpass of the Jōban Line), has been added, making it a three-point service.

Since Toride Fureai Pier is located near Toride Station, it is an ideal boarding point for tourists. As ferryboats are now a rare sight, the Kobori Ferry continues to attract not only local residents but also many tourists and fishing enthusiasts heading to Old Tone Marsh.

2. Ryozen-ji Temple

Ryūzen-ji Temple is located near Inatoi Station on the Kantō Railway Jōsō Line, nestled within a residential area. The Sanbutsudō Hall within the temple is believed to have been built in the early 16th century and is the only nationally designated Important Cultural Property in Toride City.

Between 1985 and 1986, the hall underwent dismantling and restoration work, restoring it to its original form. The hall features a beautiful thatched roof, and inside, it enshrines statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Amida Buddha, and Maitreya Bodhisattva. Additionally, Ryūzen-ji Sanbutsudō is associated with the legend that it is the birthplace of Taira no Masakado, making it a destination for group tours.

Since the hall is usually locked and inaccessible to visitors, it is advisable to contact the temple in advance for sightseeing purposes.

3. Sanseido Hall of Chōzenji Temple

Upon exiting the east exit of Toride Station, a small hill covered in lush greenery can be seen behind the buildings, atop which stands Chōzen-ji Temple. This historic temple was established in 931 by Taira no Masakado as a prayer temple and is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Toride City.

The Sanseidō Hall within Chōzen-ji is a designated Cultural Property of Ibaraki Prefecture. While its exterior appears to be two stories, the interior follows the architectural style of a "Sazae-dō" (spiral hall), consisting of three layers inside. The uniqueness of the "Sazae-dō" design makes it a popular sightseeing attraction.

Inside the hall, there are 100 enshrined Kannon statues, earning it the nickname "Hyakukannon-dō" (Hundred Kannon Hall). There are only five surviving "Sazae-dō" structures in Japan, making this a nationally significant historical building.

Since it is only about a five-minute walk from the east exit of Toride Station, it is an easily accessible spot for tourists to visit.

4. Former Toride Inn Honjin Someno Family Residence

Toride has a rich history as a post town along the Mito Kaidō highway. The Someya family, who lived in Toride, were hereditary headmen of Toride-juku, and their residence was designated as the official honjin (resting lodge) for the Mito Tokugawa family. This honjin played a significant role in history and is one of Toride City's most iconic historical sites.

It was frequently used as a lodging place by daimyō (feudal lords) and high-ranking samurai traveling along the Mito Kaidō, including members of the Mito Tokugawa clan. The house, with its elegant thatched roof and stately architecture, consists of six rooms of varying sizes. Although the original main gate was destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1805 and has remained intact since.

Additionally, the premises include a stone monument engraved with a poem by Tokugawa Nariaki, offering visitors a glimpse into the past atmosphere of the honjin. The site gained national attention when it was featured in the NHK historical drama Tokugawa Yoshinobu, as it is closely associated with Tokugawa Nariaki and Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

The honjin is open to visitors from Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last admission at 3:30 PM), so it is recommended to plan visits on weekends.

5. Buried Cultural Properties Center

Toride City is home to numerous historical sites, including shrines and temples connected to Taira no Masakado, as well as old townscapes from its days as a post town along the Edo-period Mito Kaidō. In addition to these well-known historical spots, Toride also boasts ancient ruins such as burial mounds and shell mounds, which are not commonly included in sightseeing itineraries. Altogether, the city has more than 90 archaeological sites spanning from ancient to modern times.

The Buried Cultural Property Center serves as a storage and research facility for artifacts and related materials excavated from these sites. It is a recommended spot for those who want to delve deeper into the historical aspects of Toride’s sightseeing opportunities.

When the center first opened, it partially relocated the Nakazuma Shell Mound from the Kobunma district, allowing visitors to view a cross-section of the shell layer. The exhibition room hosts two special exhibitions per year, complemented by lectures, workshops, and guided exhibition tours.

6. Shinroku Main Branch

Located just a short walk from the east exit of Toride Station, Shinroku Main Store is a long-established shop specializing in Narazuke (pickles fermented in sake lees). Founded in 1868, this store has been producing Narazuke in Toride for over 140 years, making it a well-known sightseeing spot.

Originally, the shop operated as a sake brewery, and the Narazuke they made for personal use gained popularity among relatives and neighbors. This prompted them to start selling it commercially. Later, their Narazuke was presented to Emperor Meiji during his visit to Kasama, which brought "Toride’s Narazuke" nationwide recognition.

Toride, located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, has long benefited from the rich waters of the Tone River, making it ideal for cultivating summer vegetables like gourds and cucumbers. Additionally, sake lees were widely available from the breweries in Mito and Ishioka, creating the perfect environment for Narazuke production.

At Shinroku Main Store, you can find not only traditional Narazuke made from white gourds but also unique varieties made from shiitake mushrooms, burdock root, and even melon, offering a distinctly different taste compared to other Narazuke products.

Behind the store, there is a historical warehouse, where the pickles are carefully aged in wooden barrels using the same method that has been passed down since the store’s founding. The exceptional quality of Shinroku’s Narazuke has been featured in the media multiple times, attracting many visitors to this popular shop.

7. Kirin Beer Toride Factory

The Kirin Brewery Toride Factory is one of the nine Kirin Beer production plants across Japan. It began operations in 1970 and has gained attention for producing a special local version of Kirin’s Ichiban Shibori beer, called "Ichiban Shibori Toride-zukuri", exclusively brewed at this factory. This unique release has made it a popular attraction among beer enthusiasts. The biggest highlight of the factory is its brewery tours, which draw many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture.

The factory offers two different tour options: the "Ichiban Shibori Umami Experience Tour" – Available daily except Mondays and New Year’s holidays (six sessions per day) and the "Heartland Tour" – Held on the second Saturday of each month (one session per day)

Visitors can see one of Japan’s largest copper brewing kettles (which was in use until 2007), witness the beer-making process, and even touch ingredients such as hops. Of course, the tour concludes with a beer tasting session—and the best part is that these tours are completely free!

Besides the brewery tours, the factory also hosts special tasting events on occasion. Over time, the Kirin Brewery Toride Factory has become one of the city’s leading sightseeing spots.

Additionally, the Kirin Factory Shop inside the facility offers a variety of exclusive merchandise, such as "Ichiban Shibori Beer Jelly Chocolates" and "Kirin Crown Cap Plates", inspired by beer bottle caps. These unique souvenirs make perfect gifts for friends and family.

8. Toride Velodrome

For many people outside the prefecture, Toride Keirin Stadium is the reason they recognize the name Toride. It is a well-known sightseeing spot where various cycling races take place, including uniquely named events such as the "Mito Kōmon Prize" and the "Suke-san Kaku-san Prize", reflecting Ibaraki’s cultural identity. Interestingly, the Toride Keirin Stadium was originally built on the site of an old horse racing track. Due to financial difficulties, the horse racing track was closed, and the location was later converted into a keirin (bicycle racing) stadium, marking the beginning of the facility's current form.

Aside from weekend races, the stadium is frequently used as a venue for large-scale events, attracting visitors who come for purposes beyond just the races.

Toride is also known as the location of the Toride Campus of Tokyo University of the Arts, and since 2015, the stadium has hosted the Cycle Art Festival in collaboration with the university. This festival draws not only regular keirin fans but also visitors who typically don’t watch races, making it a unique tourism attraction.

On the day of the festival, in addition to races, visitors can enjoy art exhibitions by university students and even experience riding competition bicycles.

With year-round events beyond keirin races, it is a great idea to plan your visit around these events to make the most of your sightseeing in Toride.

9. Toride Tone River Grand Fireworks

This fireworks festival began as a commemoration of the completion of the Ōtone Bridge in 1930, and it has since become a summer tradition in Toride. Held annually during the Obon holiday season, the event features around 7,000 fireworks, including large shell fireworks, starmine displays, and Niagara Falls-style fireworks, drawing over 100,000 spectators each year. On the day of the event, a wide area of the riverbank transforms into a lively festival space with many food stalls. Before the fireworks begin, visitors can also enjoy a taiko drum performance, making the event entertaining even before the main spectacle.

Most spectators watch the fireworks while sitting on the riverbank or on the ground, but for those who prefer a more comfortable experience, reserved seating (Sajiki-seki) is available. These paid seats are sold in advance by the Toride Tourism Association and tend to sell out quickly, so early reservations are highly recommended.

Additionally, on the day of the event, a free parking lot with around 1,000 spaces is available at Toride Riverside Sports Park. However, traffic restrictions begin in the afternoon, so visitors planning to drive should arrive in the morning to secure a spot and avoid congestion.

10. Toride Tone River Kite Flying Festival / Toride Tone River Dondoyaki Festival

The Toride Tone River Kite Flying Festival is a winter tradition in Toride, held annually in mid-January. On the vast riverbank, countless kites soar high into the sky. Among them, the "Train Kites" (Ren-dako)—a formation of dozens of diamond-shaped kites strung together—create a stunning spectacle against the winter sky.

On the day of the festival, visitors can participate in the "Homemade Kite Contest", which is open to everyone, and a "Kite-Making Workshop", which is available for the first 100 participants. Instead of just watching, tourists are encouraged to bring their own handmade kites and join the event for a more interactive experience.

Later in the day, at 4:00 PM, the Toride Tone River Dondoyaki Festival takes place at the same location. During this event, kadomatsu (New Year’s decorations) and shimenawa (sacred ropes) are burned in a tall bamboo-and-straw bonfire, a traditional ritual to pray for health and safety for the year. At the festival site, visitors can purchase "Fortune Mochi" (Lucky Rice Cakes). These rice cakes are skewered on long bamboo sticks and roasted over the Dondoyaki fire. As an auspicious food, these mochi treats are popular among both local residents and visiting tourists.

◎ Summary

Toride is the first station in Ibaraki Prefecture when traveling on the Jōban Line from Tokyo. However, most tourists visiting Ibaraki tend to bypass Toride, heading instead to more well-known destinations such as Tsuchiura, Tsukuba, or Mito. As a result, Toride is often overlooked in the broader landscape of Ibaraki tourism.

While Toride is primarily known as a commuter town, it also offers historical sites, factory tours, and seasonal events, making it a worthy stop for travelers exploring Ibaraki.

If you have the chance, be sure to visit Toride and experience its unique attractions firsthand!

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10 recommended tourist spots in Toride, the gateway to Ibaraki