Name: Kokai River Fureai Park
Address: 1650-1 Horikome, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.city.shimotsuma.lg.jp/page/page000198.html

Fully Enjoy Shimotsuma! 6 Popular and Charming Tourist Destinations
Shimotsuma City in Ibaraki Prefecture is nestled between the Kokai River to the east and the Kinugawa River to the west. It's a city rich in nature and history, once known as a major transportation checkpoint. Shimotsuma offers a wide range of attractions including gourmet foods, local specialties, famous tourist spots known for motorsports, relaxing destinations popular with visitors, and leisure facilities where you can play all day without getting bored. The variety is impressive!
Being close to the Tokyo metropolitan area makes it a convenient spot for a casual sightseeing trip. Shimotsuma also hosts a number of signature events representing Ibaraki Prefecture, drawing many visitors during those times. In this article, we’ll introduce six highly recommended sightseeing spots in Shimotsuma City, each packed with things to see and do.
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Fully Enjoy Shimotsuma! 6 Popular and Charming Tourist Destinations
1. Kokai River Fureai Park

Kokai River Fureai Park is a multifunctional park that features various areas such as playgrounds and flower gardens. Located along the embankment of the Kokai River, it opened in 1994.
The park is divided into zones including the Flower Zone, BBQ area, Park Golf Course, Children’s Playground, Nature Observation Zone, and Sports Zone. At the center is the Nature Center, which also functions as an observation tower offering views of the Kokai River. Each area is designed with the theme of interaction between nature and people.
In the Flower Zone, you can gaze upon expansive fields of flowers as far as the eye can see. The 360-degree panoramic flower field is a breathtaking sight. Around May, approximately 3 million poppies bloom across the field, creating a stunning scene. In summer, sunflowers bloom, followed by cosmos flowers in the fall—each season brings a new floral delight.
The Children’s Playground features about 20 different types of play equipment where kids can have a blast. The roller slide is especially popular with children! For older kids, there are more challenging pieces like the Tarzan rope. Adults can enjoy activities like mini-golf, making it a great place for the whole family to have fun together.
The Nature Center in the heart of the park includes a gallery, exhibition area, light meals, and a rest area. Bicycle rentals are also available. The building itself is uniquely shaped to resemble Japan's national butterfly, the great purple emperor (Sasakia charonda), making it look like a giant butterfly from afar. At the café, you can enjoy curry, udon, soba, and other simple meals.
2. Kinu Flower Line
Located along the riverbanks of the Kinugawa River in western Shimotsuma City, the "Kinu Flower Line" is a popular sightseeing spot loved by both locals and tourists throughout the year for its seasonal events.
The Kinu Flower Line is especially famous for its roughly 500,000 vividly colored poppies that bloom in mid to late May every year. During this season, the "Flower and Friendship Festival" is held, attracting over 8,000 visitors and creating a lively atmosphere. Above the flower fields, numerous carp streamers (koinobori) flutter in the wind, enhancing the already breathtaking scenery.
Around the same time, the "Kinugawa River Basin Exchange E-Boat Race" is also held. This exciting and dynamic race features ten-person rowboats, making it an exciting event to cheer on with friends and family. In the fall, the poppy fields turn into sweet potato fields, hosting a “Seed Sowing & Sweet Potato Harvesting Festival,” while in winter, events such as the “Weeding Exchange Meeting” are held, making it a year-round interactive space. The Kinu Flower Line is a highly recommended destination where you can enjoy sightseeing in tune with the seasons.
Name: Kinu Flower Line
Address: Left bank riverbed upstream of Ōgata Bridge, Kamaniwa, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: https://goo.gl/niZ5pj
3. Shimotsuma Farm Tourist Strawberry Garden
At the "Shimotsuma Farm Tourist Strawberry Garden" in Shimotsuma City, strawberries are grown using an elevated cultivation method, allowing them to be picked easily from a raised position.
There are 40 greenhouses set up for strawberry picking, giving visitors the sense of having a private picking session. The wide walkways make the inside of the greenhouses feel spacious, and wheelchair or stroller users can also comfortably enjoy picking strawberries. The interior is covered with sheets to maintain cleanliness.
The strawberries grown here are the “Tochiotome” variety—sweet and juicy, loved by both children and adults. No pesticides are used after the fruit begins to develop, and only safe substances that do not affect the human body are applied, so you can enjoy them with peace of mind. Temperature and water management are carefully controlled with heartfelt attention.
They also sell freshly picked strawberries directly. From late January, they also sell tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Strawberries rich in vitamin C are also expected to provide beauty benefits. Be sure to stop by when sightseeing in Shimotsuma.
Name: Shimotsuma Farm Tourist Strawberry Garden
Address: 932 Karasaki, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.yasai.joso.jp/ichigogari.htm
4. Michi-no-Eki Shimotsuma (Roadside Station Shimotsuma)
Located along Route 294 in western Ibaraki Prefecture, "Michi-no-Eki Shimotsuma" is easy to stop by in between sightseeing as it’s situated near many local attractions. It was renovated and reopened in 2015, featuring a traditional Japanese-style exterior and a stylish, modern interior.
The facility has been upgraded with even more attractions. It offers fresh produce and unique souvenirs native to Shimotsuma City. There are also several dining areas where you can enjoy local Shimotsuma cuisine. Around 160 registered local farmers supply seasonal vegetables, with pears being a highly recommended specialty. Other popular local products include Sengoku cucumbers, tomatoes, and leeks.
The souvenir shop carries unique local goods you won’t find elsewhere. One highlight is their homemade natto, "Fukuyokoi," made from locally grown soybeans and produced on-site at Michi-no-Eki Shimotsuma—definitely worth trying!
Another recommended product is "Shimotsuma no Omotenashi" daifuku, a newly developed souvenir made with locally grown pears. The daifuku is filled with diced pear and custard cream, offering both a refreshing crunch and smooth texture.
At the restaurant "Shimon-tei," the grilled pork rice bowl made with Ibaraki's marbled herb pork is a favorite. There’s also “BAKERY Shimonpan,” which offers 60 to 70 types of freshly baked bread, and "Soba-uchi Meijin-tei," a soba restaurant that uses 100% buckwheat flour from Shimotsuma for authentic handmade soba noodles.
Name: Michi-no-Eki Shimotsuma
Address: 140 Kazusu, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.city.shimotsuma.lg.jp/page/dir001734.html
5. Sunuma Sun Beach
Sunuma Sun Beach is the largest pool facility in Ibaraki Prefecture, located on the western shore of Sunuma Wide-Area Park. During its operating season, it is bustling with many tourists and is a popular attraction that Shimotsuma City is proud of. The facility features 10 different types of pools, offering plenty of variety to keep both children and adults entertained without getting bored.
One of the most popular attractions at this pool is the Water Slider, a thrilling 80-meter-long slide that guests love to ride again and again. The classic Wave Pool with both large and small waves is also well-loved. Another highlight is the Waterfall Slide, where you can race down from the highest point of Sun Beach in an adrenaline-pumping rush—with views of Mt. Tsukuba visible from the starting point.
For younger children, there’s the "Forest of Water", a 0.2-meter-deep pool designed like an underwater forest, and the Toddler Pool, both offering safe environments to enjoy. The Water Playground with mazes, water features, and water guns is also a favorite. When visiting Shimotsuma, why not spend a fun-filled, energetic day at Sunuma Sun Beach?
Name: Sunuma Sun Beach
Address: 4-1 Nagatsuka Otsu, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: http://www.sanumasunbeach.com
6. Tsukuba Circuit
A must-visit attraction when sightseeing in Shimotsuma City is the Tsukuba Circuit, one of Japan's premier race tracks. Since its opening in 1970, it has served as a key hub for motorsports in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Stretching 2,070 meters, the circuit is known for its clever use of limited space and its variety of challenging course layouts. It has earned a strong reputation among motorsports fans for its high-level technical layout and the frequent close-contact races that occur there.
The circuit is particularly popular for amateur motorsports, with various events and races held nearly every weekend. On weekdays without events, it is used for member driving sessions, car shop track days, family runs for circuit license holders, and test runs. There are also plenty of kids’ events, so it's worth visiting on event days for an exciting experience.
Name: Tsukuba Circuit
Address: 159 Muraoka Otsu, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Official Website: https://www.jasc.or.jp
◎ Summary
Shimotsuma City offers a variety of tourist attractions where you can enjoy magical scenery created by nature, or spend time being active at leisure facilities. There are also many local gourmet foods and unique souvenirs that can only be found in Shimotsuma, allowing you to fully enjoy your trip.
Just a short trip from the city to Shimotsuma will bring you to serene rural landscapes. You’ll also have the chance to experience the local culture and traditions. Beyond the destinations introduced here, there are still many more spots where you can have a fulfilling and enjoyable time. We highly recommend making a trip to explore Shimotsuma!
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