The stadium at Ibaraka (Allsport)
OUR GUIDE TO IBARAKI
Ibaraki Prefecture lies in the northeastern part of central Japan. With its prefectural capital, Mito, only about 100 kilometres from Tokyo, the area is close to the New Tokyo International Airport.
The lands abounds in scenic attractions, including a varied coastline that stretches 180 kilometres north to south along the Pacific Coast, as well as Mt. Tsukuba and Lake Kasumigaura.
Ibaraki's rich resources are wide-ranging from its historic and cultural heritage to the cutting-edge technologies of today's Tsukuba Science City.
Kashima City, one of the venues for the World Cup, is dotted with ancient relics and historic sites wich as Kashima Shrine which is designated Important Cultural Property.
In recent years the area has become alive with football enthusiasts who follow hometown Kashima Antlers in the J League.
Places To Visit:
Kairaku-en Garden: Literally translates as 'a garden for the lord and populace to enjoy together.'
Created in 1842, it is known as one of the three finest gardens in Japan and is filled with flowers and blossoms.
Ajugyara Coast: Nicknamed as the 'Naples of the Orient', the picturesque Ajigaura boasts a white sandy beach fringed with a pine grove, extending along shallow water. It is a centre for marine sports.
Fukuroda Falls: Counted among the three most spectacular falls in Japan, these impressive falls are 121 metres tall and 73 metres wide. The natural surrounding itself is a scenic attraction whch changes colour from season to season.
Mt Tsukuba: The mountain has been nicknamed 'Purple Mountain' and offers scenic walks and nature studies. A cable car runs to the top and once there you have a commanding view of the Kanto Plain.
Kashima-jingu Shrine: Originally founded in 600 BC, the imposing Kashima-Jingu is seated in a thickly wooded grove. There is a treasury housing over 120 valuable exhibits including a straight sword and other National Treasures.
Iris Gardens: The town of Itako is a famous waterside community known as “suigo”. The Suigo Itako Iris Festival is held for one month in Jume when over one million irises come into full bloom, transforming the whole town into a flowery paradise.
Accomodation
A wide range is available in downtown in Sendai, from affordable business hotels to first-class city hotels.
In other tourist areas around the prefecture, especially at hot spring resorts, a stay at a ryokan is highly recommended to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle.
Where To Eat
Lake Kasumigaura: The second largest lake in Japan, Kasumigaura is a treasure trove for freshwater fish such as smelt, whitebaits, eels and carp. Local restaurants have fresh produce.
Local delicacies: Ibaraki Prefecture produces various culinary delicacies of superb quality, such as fresh seafood, agricultural products, sake, natto (fermented soybeans) and soba (buckwheat) for noodles. Hence many local dishes have an excellent reputation such as anko (anglerfish) one pot stew and various natto dishes.
How To Get There
By Rail: From Tokyo to Mito - JRs Joban Line express is most convenient (65 mins) From Tokyo to Kashima – take JRs Sobu Line rapid train to Kashina-jingu st. From Mito to Kashima – Take Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo Line to Kashima-jingu St. From Narito-kuko (airport) sta to Kashima – Take JR Narita Line to Sawara st and transfer to Kashima Line to Kashima-jingu st.
From Car: Joban Expressway from Tokyo runs through the prefecture To Kashima, the Higashi-Kanto Expressway is convenient.
Highway bus services are operated from Tokyo to Mito, Tsukuba abd Kashima via the Joban and Higashi-Kanto expressway.
To the World Cup stadium in Kashima:
By rail take the JR Kashima Line to Kashima-jingu st. Transfer there to Kashima Rail Rinkai Tetsudo's Oarai-Kashima Line to Kashima football stadium sta. (operates on game-day only). Then a five minute walk.
By Highway bus - special services from JR Yokyo st. (South Exit) to the Kashima-jingu st. terminal. Then 15 minutes by local bus to the Kashima football stadium. (Again only operates on match day).
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