When you think of Ibaraki Prefecture, Mount Tsukuba, also known as 'Fuji of the West, Tsukuba of the East,' comes to mind. In addition to Mount Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture is home to many entertainment-rich tourist spots that are perfect for visiting with family, friends, or a loved one. In this article, I will introduce some night view spots you should consider when planning your trip to Ibaraki Prefecture. I will introduce five recommended night view spots in Ibaraki, so please make sure to check them out!
1. Mount Tsukuba
The first recommended night view spot in Ibaraki Prefecture is "Mount Tsukuba." To access Mount Tsukuba, take the Tsukuba Express to Tsukuba Station, then use the Tsukuba Mountain Shuttle Bus, which takes about 50 minutes. Mount Tsukuba is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and is a popular mountain visited by tourists from all over the country throughout the year.
Mount Tsukuba consists of two peaks: Mount Nantai and Mount Nyotai. At the summit of Mount Nyotai, there is an observation deck that you can access via a ropeway. The altitude of the summit is 877 meters, offering a panoramic view of Ibaraki Prefecture's night scenery! Not only can you enjoy the night view of Ibaraki, but also see as far as Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and Chiba. The spot is popular for its excellent visibility and stunning night views.
During winter, special events are held, so you can enjoy special light-up displays along with the night views. Make sure to visit Mount Tsukuba, one of the best night view spots in the Kanto region.
Name: Mount Tsukuba
Address: 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.mt-tsukuba.com/?page_id=136
2. Oarai Marine Tower
Next, we introduce "Oarai Marine Tower," another recommended night view spot in Ibaraki Prefecture. The Oarai Marine Tower is a uniquely shaped building standing tall in Oarai, easily noticeable from afar. The height of the tower’s top floor is 60 meters. From this height, you can look out over the night views centered around Oarai. The view from the Oarai Marine Tower is one of the best panoramic views in Ibaraki Prefecture!
The tower offers excellent visibility, and if the conditions are right, you can even see Mount Fuji and the mountains in Tochigi Prefecture, including Nikko and Nasu. The observation room also features a dolphin fantasy with black lights and a restaurant, making it a highly entertaining experience. It's perfect for family visits or dates. If you’re visiting Oarai's outlets or coastal parks, it's also recommended to stop by the tower.
Name: Oarai Marine Tower
Address: 10 Minato Chuo, Oarai Town, Higashi Ibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.oarai-mt.jp/
3. Glider Base - Omote Tsukuba Skyline
The next recommended night view spot on Mount Tsukuba is the "Glider Base - Omote Tsukuba Skyline." This night view spot offers a view of the entire city of Tsuchiura in Ibaraki Prefecture. A great feature of this spot is that you can enjoy the night view from inside your car. During the winter season, you can enjoy the night view without worrying about the cold, and the best part is that you can enjoy the view in a private space without any interruptions.
However, please be cautious, as the parking area is unpaved, so be mindful of the ground. For experienced drivers, this will not be an issue, but beginner drivers should be careful. If you're visiting Ibaraki and don't have time to visit Mount Tsukuba itself, this is a great alternative night view spot to stop by! It's perfect for a drive, so take a moment to visit.
Name: Glider Base - Omote Tsukuba Skyline
Address: Yahata Town, Ibaraki Prefecture to Tsukuba City
4. Atago Tengu Forest
The next recommended night view spot in Ibaraki Prefecture is the "Atago Tengu Forest." Located at an elevation of 305 meters, the Atago Mountain area is home to this park, which includes hiking trails and a sky lodge. It is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot during spring.
From this night view spot, you can see the night views centered around Kasama City in Ibaraki Prefecture. Due to the serene atmosphere, it’s a popular date spot for couples. Additionally, you can park your car in the park's parking lot and enjoy the night view from the comfort of your car, which is another great feature. Don’t forget to enjoy the night view after viewing the cherry blossoms!
Name: Atago Tengu Forest
Address: 99-15 Izumi, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.kasama-kankou.jp/atago_skylodge/
5. Ibaraki Prefecture Government Building Observation Lobby
The next recommended night view spot in Ibaraki Prefecture is the "Ibaraki Prefecture Government Building Observation Lobby." To access the building, take a direct bus from JR Mito Station to the new government building, which takes about 20 minutes.
On the 25th floor of this government building is the observation lobby, where you can enjoy beautiful night views of Ibaraki Prefecture. The observation lobby is one of the largest in Japan, second only to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Due to its excellent view, it has become a tourist spot in Ibaraki Prefecture. From the observation lobby, you can see the night views of Mito City, Oarai, Mount Tsukuba, and the Kanto plain.
If you’re visiting Ibaraki Prefecture, this is definitely a recommended night view spot to stop by. It's convenient for both family outings and dates.
Name: Ibaraki Prefecture Government Building Observation Lobby
Address: 978-6 Kasahara, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/index.html
◎ Summary
What do you think? In this article, we introduced five recommended night view spots in Ibaraki Prefecture. Did you find your favorite? Ibaraki Prefecture offers many night view spots you can visit while on a drive or during a shopping trip, so make sure to visit. All the night view spots we introduced are popular, so you won’t be disappointed!