Hitachi Seaside Park Japan Guide
What is the Hitachi Seaside Park in Japan?
This public park is one of the most enjoyable to visit for a relaxing day tour. A lot of people go there with their families to appreciate nature and all its wonders. However, the main attraction of this park is their flowers. The total land area of the park is about 350 hectares where 190 hectares of this is intended for the flowers. Although 190 hectares is only a fraction of the total land area, each square meter of this 190 hectares is covered with blooming flowers all year-round. What it is most popular for is the nemophila flowers, which are blooms collared translucent-blue. This collection of flowers turn the entire park into a sea of baby blue, a sight tourists love to see and enjoy.
In Japanese, the park is also known as Kokuei Hitachi Kaihinkoen. It is hailed as one of the best nature spaces nearest Tokyo as it features a variety of flowers all year-round. The hills inside the park change color every month, a sight to behold and enjoy. However, even if there are different species of flowers which are planted in the area to produce blooms in different months, there are peak seasons of blooms as well. Springtime is the time of the year when the flowers are the most colorful and plentiful.
What to do inside the park?
Inside the park are hills, walking paths, and even cycling trails. Individuals can rent their own bicycle to fully enjoy hectares and hectares of flowers, this is because walking can other take a person to so many places inside the park. Inside the park are areas where different kinds of flowers are ‘sorted out’. This means that there are a specific species of flower planted in a specific area. For instance, the tulips are planted along the lake while the narcissus is planted over the Suisen Garden. There are also coastal plants in the Dune Garden.
Inside the park is an amusement center where there are rides and activities to enjoy. This amusement center has about 25 attractions which include a BMX course, mini golfing area, and more. There are roller coasters and a Ferris wheel inside. What people must remember is that there are additional fees for the rides.
There is also a cycling trail which is separate from the walking path. Each bicycle can be rented for three hours for only a price of 400 JPY. The total distance covered by the cycling path is about eleven kilometers and it is enough for a day’s worth of exercise.
There are picnic spaces and BBQ areas around the park where people can cook their own food. There are also restaurants and rest stops all over the park for those who just want to relax and avoid all the fuss of picnicking. This place is safe for children and enjoyable for families. It is also a very romantic getaway for young and old couples.
Where is the Hitachi Seaside Park?
The Hitachi Seaside Park is located in Hitachinaka in Ibaraki prefecture of Japan. HItachinaka is a small city with a total land area of about 100 square kilometers. It is a small city located in the Northern Kanto region. This city is a portal city which is located on the easternmost side of Japan. It opens up to the Pacific Ocean which is why the park features coastal plants as well.
The place generally experiences a temperate climate throughout the year. This means that they experience all four different seasons and the flora in the area adjusts to the changes in the surrounding’s temperature. Since the place is quite warm and a bit humid, there is a significant amount of rainfall every year, especially during the summer season. The changing season significantly affects the life cycle of the plants featured in the park.
How to Access the Hitachi Seaside Park?
There are different ways to access the Hitachi Seaside Park from different locations all over Japan. People can come from all over Japan just to enjoy a single day trip to this park. Its location is quite easy to locate and access.
Via Train
The park can be accessed via the JR Joban Line. When coming from Tokyo, says the Ueno Station, it is best to come down at the Katsuta Station of the JR Joban Line. This particular ride costs about 3800 yen for about 80 to 90 minutes. Then, there is also a local train (also known as the limited express) which would take the person to the bus terminal. This usually costs about 2270 yen for two hours. The bus going to the park usually takes 15 minutes for 400 yen. On the other hand, those that have access to JR Passes and Tokyo Wilde Pass can ride the Hitachi Seaside Bus for free.
Via Bus
For those traveling from places like Tokyo, it might be cheaper to go to the park via highway bus. This ride usually takes 2.5 hours long for only 2,240 JPY. The bus is slightly faster and more comfortable than riding the trains. This is why people who travel from Tokyo prefer this kind of travel option.
Admission to Hitachi Seaside Park information
General entrance fee to the Hitachi Seaside park usually costs around 410 yen. What people must remember is that this is merely access to the flower park. There are extra charges for activities like riding the amusement park attractions and renting a bicycle.
The opening hours of this park is between 9:30 AM to about 4:30 PM. There are times of the year, like the summer season, when the closing time of the park is much later at 6:00 PM. It usually closes earliest during the winter season. All other times of the year, the park closes at 5:00 PM. When visiting the park, it might be important to take note of the date before deciding on a time when to go.
What all people must remember is that the park is closed every Mondays and New Year Holidays. It is also closed on the first Tuesday of February. Usually, if the Monday is a holiday then it is closed on a Tuesday. These are important information to remember to avoid wastage of time when going to the park.
Flowers in the Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park (Nemophila) Blue Flowers in Miharashi Hill
Nemophila is a type of flower that is a size of a coin. They bloom only once a year during the Springtime. They are normally known as Baby Blue Eyes or Sierra blue eyes. What is interesting is that these baby blue eyes are actually not native to Japan. They are native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Perhaps, there was a time that it was imported to Japan and it was planted widely in different parts of the country. Nemophila occupies the entire Miharashi Hill in the Hitachi Seaside park and it is one of the main highlights of the place.
Narcissus in the Main Entrance Suisen Garden
The Narcissus, commonly known as a daffodil, is a large white flower (sometimes yellow) that has bulbous roots. They are quite high reaching about 5 to 80 centimeters. HItachinaka is a small city with a total land area of about 100 square kilometers. These kinds of flowers also bloom once a year during springtime like the months of May. However, there are some places in the world where these are forced to bloom during Christmas time until Springtime. The daffodil plant covers the entire Suisen Garden near the main entrance of the Hitachi Seaside Park.
Tulips Across the Lake
The Tulip is a kind of Spring-blooming flower which, like the Narcissus, is also a bulb-rooted plant. They usually bloom ever April and come in the reddish, orange color. Planted near the lake, they usually give off an unusual sea of red which is beautiful throughout the season. A lot of people go to the park just to see the blooms of the tulips.
Coastal plants in the Dune Garden
Since the Ibaraki prefecture, particularly the Hitachinaka town is located along the coastline, it is only apt to have an exhibit of the different kinds of coastal bushes, shrubs, and plans local to Ibaraki. This gives a learning experience for both young children and adults.
Kochia
The Kochia is actually not a flower but a small bush that changes color by the season. People enjoy going to the park to see the sea of red produced by the Kochia during the autumn season. Scientifically, the plant becomes fiery red in color because at this time their chlorophyll fades and replenishes for the next season. They are also very healthy and lush during the spring and summer time. This is before they turn yellowish and orange by the end of summer before entering fall.
Touring Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park from Tokyo
Ibaraki is actually not that far away from Tokyo. A typical trip from Ibaraki to Tokyo usually lasts as fast as an hour and a half to about two and a half hours. Ibaraki is roughly 150 km northeast of Tokyo. A lot of people go south during the weekends to look for a weekend travel destination just to get away from the buzz of the city life.
Hitachi Seaside Park from Osaka
Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is located farther south of the country. This means that the city is too far away from Ibaraki. In fact, a car ride from Osaka to Ibaraki lasts about eight hours. Riding a train might be slightly faster with the help of the Shinkansen, travel time can last about five to six hours. Remember to check the posted train schedules before booking to maximize travel time during the weekend.
Hitachi Seaside Park from Hokkaido
Ibaraki is the central part of the country which is why it is too far both the south and the north. Roughly, a trip from Hokkaido by car to Ibaraki lasts about 17 hours. There are no direct routes for train rides. The best option for this is to ride a plane from Hokkaido to Ibaraki.
Hitachi Seaside Park in Different Seasons
Hitachi Seaside Park November (Winter Season)
Many people think that the park closes during the winter season but it is actually still open. It is enjoyable to see the contrast between the whiteness of snow with the darkness of the ground. The trees have shed its leaves and are waiting for warmer temperatures to bloom once again.
Hitachi Seaside Park October (Fall Season)
This is actually a romantic time to visit the park. The trees just turned a beautiful hue of red and orange making the cold temperatures feel warmer. The trees are beginning to shed its leaves which creates a beautiful and romantic backdrop. It is also enjoyable to walk around the park at this time to see the flowers in another part of its life cycle. People enjoy the sea of Kochia at this time of the year where the short bushes turn into red sprouts on the ground.
Hitachi Seaside Park in August (Summer Season)
Just like the spring season, there are also a number of blooms during this time of the year. This is the best time to enjoy the cycling trails all over the park because the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. However, the temperatures may get too high during the afternoons so keeping hydrated is a must.
Hitachi Seaside Park in May (Spring Season)
This is the best time to visit the park because the peak of the blooms of the majority of the flowers happens during this season. However, it is important to remember that there are also more visitors during this time of the year. So, it is best to avoid National holidays and weekends. It is reported as well that it is difficult to book hotel rooms at this time so if there are family plans on going out to Ibaraki during spring time, earlier preparations are a must.