IMAGES: GETTY; IBARAKI PREFECTURE
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PAID CONTENT FOR IBARAKI PRE FECTURE
forest shrine shrouded by towering trees, while Hananuki Gorge has a remarkable 200ft-long wooden suspension bridge, where scarlet maples have formed a natural tunnel. To their south, the ancient Oiwa Shrine — named in one of Japan’s oldest texts — breaks through the woodland. Onsen hot springs are stippled throughout this northern expanse, perfect for soothing tired legs and feet after a day’s hike.
WHERE TO STAY Ibaraki has a range of accommodation, from luxury ryokans (traditional inns) to camping sites. If you’re seeking luxury and relaxation, look to high-end onsen hotels like Itsuura Kanko and Futatsushima Kanko, both overlooking the wild coastline. Inland luxury near Fukuroda Falls includes the ever-popular Omoide Romankan Inn. For laid-back stays, Daigo House includes meals in the local town, while Tsukiore Onsen has charming, traditional accommodation managed by the community. On the banks of the Okukuji and Daigo
Rivers, the Okukuji Base Camp off ers a relaxing stay, with breathtaking views of the mountains. The well-equipped campsite also has a cafe and a sauna.
WHERE TO EAT Though there are plenty of places to sample local specialities throughout the region, Daigo is one of the best, encircled by excellent restaurants. In its northwestern outskirts, Yuba no Sato Tosen is dedicated to the tofu skin formed atop boiled soy milk — the incredibly soft, silky and wonderfully chewy, yuba. Just north of Daigo’s main centre, Restaurant Kenbo’s reservation- only hideaway serves local ingredients like high-grade Hitachiwagyu beef in a serene, traditional house. Amongst the historic buildings in Daigo’s shopping district, the menu at Yamaki restaurant features seasonal dishes incorporating Okukuji shamo chicken. Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles
are popular with locals and visitors alike. At Shiomachikan soba restaurant, in Hitachiota, try Ibaraki’s regional variety, Hitachi Aki soba — served either chilled with a dipping sauce (zaru soba) or warm with a root vegetable (kenchin) soup. Naturally, Ibaraki’s long coastline brings
incredible seafood, too. Visit the casual fi sherman’s cooperative Port Otsu Dining or Hitachi Fish Market, which serve port- fresh seafood in regional specialities like anglerfi sh hotpot.
Clockwise from left: Ryujin Suspension Bridge in the autumn; the ancient Oiwa Shrine; Fukuroda Falls
HIT THE TRAIL
Short, easy walks are plentiful in northern Ibaraki, but the region is crossed by the 140-mile Hitachi-no-kuni Long Trail (with a further 60 miles currently under development by volunteers). Weaving through mountains and villages, the trail connects six towns — Hitachiomiya, Hitachiota, Hitachi, Takahagi, Kitaibaraki and Daigo. The circular course can be joined anywhere on its route, with hikers opting in and out depending on skill level and time available.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Direct flights are available from Heathrow to Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports. Reach Ibaraki by train with return tickets from Tokyo or the regional JR East Pass (Tohoku area). The Joban Line’s Hitachi Express reaches Mito in just over an hour from Tokyo. Change at Mito for the local Suigun Line, which heads to Hitachiota, Hitachiomiya and Daigo. For more information on trekking and guides for the Hitachi-no-kuni Long Trail, visit
kenpokult.com
THIS IS PAID CONTENT. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER (UK) OR THEIR EDITORIAL STAFFS.
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