日本の魅 力
発見プロジェクト

〜茨 城 県 霞ヶ浦・筑 波 地 域〜

IBARAKI
茨城
BEYOND ORDINARY ITINERARIESThe Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba Area
in Ibaraki PrefectureBeyond Ordinary Itineraries
The Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba Area
in Ibaraki Prefecture日本の魅 力発見プロジェクト

〜茨 城 県 霞ヶ浦・筑 波 地 域〜

IBARAKI
茨城
BEYOND ORDINARY ITINERARIESThe Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba Area
in Ibaraki PrefectureCONTENTS

p.11

Introduction
Ibaraki, the Great Agricultural Region on the Vast Flatland

p.13
Chapter.1

Kasumigaura area
Fascination of the area is like a constellation.
It comes out when the dots are connected.

p.29
Chapter.2

Mt. Tsukuba area
Tsukuba Symposion – The Modern Feasts from the Gods of Mt. Tsukuba

p.36

One Day Trip
to the Lake Kasumigaura Area

p.42

One Day Trip
to the Mt. Tsukuba Area

地 域の魅 力は、
点と点が結ばれた時に初めて明らかになる

茨城県は先頃 19 年ぶりに日本出身の横綱となった稀勢の里の故郷であり、北部に梅の名所である偕楽園のある水戸、太平洋側に大洗や日本建国・武道の神様である武甕槌大神（タケミカヅチノオオカ
ミ）を御祭神とする鹿島神宮、西部に平安時代に使用されていたと言われる当時の東日本最大級の製鉄所、川戸台遺跡がある。また、栗、レンコン、メロン、ピーマン、白菜、レタス、夏ネギ、水菜、
ちんげんさい、鶏卵など、その収穫量、生産量が日本一であることを誇る農業大国であり、東京だけでなく日本の食生活は茨城県なし
では考えられないのだ。地域ブランド調査の魅力度ランキングで４年連続の最下位を取っているが、実はその魅力が知られていないだ
けなのではないかという思いから、
今回は茨城県南部の霞ヶ浦周辺、
旧千代田地区、筑波山周辺の３地域を訪問した。

If Tokyo is the only destination for your trip to Japan, you may notnotice that Japan is a mountainous country. According to the Japan
Institute of Country-ology and Engineering, 73% of the national
land area is classified as mountainous (61%) and hilly (12%), andonly the 14% is flatland. Over 30% of all the Japan’s flatland islocated in the Greater Tokyo Area, which is the reason you may notsee any mountains in Tokyo. Here, there is a vast flatland called
Kanto Plain whose total area is 17,000km². If you landed at the
Narita Airport, you may have seen the landscape which consists ofa vast plain just before landing, that’s the Kanto Plain and if you see
a mountain with twin-peaks, which is quite noticeable because it
lies on the flatland near the lake and the coast, the area around thismountain is the Ibaraki prefecture.
Ibaraki prefecture is located to northeast of Tokyo. Its characteris-

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IBARAKI日本の魅力 発見プロジェクト

area in the Ibaraki prefecture, excluding the mountain area andKasumigaura and Mt. Tsukuba Area in Ibaraki Prefecture

茨城県 霞ヶ浦・筑波地域

water area, is the fourth largest of all the prefectures in Japan. The
locals take advantage of this vast flat land for agriculture. Melons,
sweet peppers, lettuce, Chinese lettuce, lotus roots, summer thinner leeks, chestnuts… These are the vegetables whose amount of

Chapterharvest in Ibaraki is the highest in Japan. Poultry breeding is also

“Kasumigaura area”

active and it is the biggest producing prefecture of eggs. Without
Ibaraki’s ingredients Tokyo’s (and even Japans’) food practices

Fascination of the area is like aconstellation. it comes out when
the dots are connected.

would be very different. Its reputation with people in other parts ofJapan who are not aware of this fact, however, is not that favorable.
It has been nominated as the worst prefecture in the survey to findFascination of the area is like a constellation.
It comes out when the dots are connected.

1

text by Rei Saionji
photographs by Hide Urabe“the most fascinating prefecture in Japan” for four years in a row. It
reminded us of the famous word of Laozi, a great ancient Chinese
philosopher, “It is wise to be modest and to not attract attention
without boasting your ability and virtues.” Could it be that the
Ibaraki prefecture follows this philosophy? We headed for Ibaraki
with the hopes of answering this question. This time we selected,
only the southern part which is an easily accessed from Tokyo.

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IBARAKI旧 千 代田 地 区

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

霞ヶ浦 地 域

tic is the vast flat land due to the Kanto plain. In fact, the habitable茨城県の南東部に広がる霞ヶ浦の面積は 2156.7km2。琵琶湖に次ぐ

shape, its coastline is the longest. Currently Kasumigaura is a lake

日本第２位の広さを持つ湖だが、入り組んだ湖岸は琵琶湖よりも長with sweet water, but up until 200 years ago it had been a cove.

い。ワカサギ、シラウオ、ハゼ、手長エビの漁が行われ、淡水真珠

Over time, the amount of sea water that flowed in the cove startedの養殖のほか、コイやナマズの養殖が行われている。霞ヶ浦はそのto decrease due to the sea-level falling. Later in 1963, a flood gate

昔、海の入り江でクジラ以外の魚は何でも捕れたらしい。淡水化はwas constructed and as a result the desalination of the lake began.

1

200 年前頃から海面低下によって霞ヶ浦への海水流入が減ったこと

Now fish such as Wakasagi (small fish like delta smelt), Shirauo

湖畔に広がるレンコン畑。

によって始まった。その後、1963 年に水門が設置されたことによ(trans. Salangidae), Haze (trans. Gobioidei) and Tenagaebi (trans.

Lotus roots field

り、人工的に淡水化され、入り江は湖へと形を変えた。

freshwater shrimps) are caught, and carp and catfish are cultivated

霞ヶ浦と筑波山のちょうど中間地点にある旧千代田地区（現在はかas well as freshwater pearls.

霞ヶ浦地域

すみがうら市）には、今から 50 年ほど前に日本で初めて観光果樹園ができた。いちご、ブドウ、梨、栗、柿、ブルーベリーなどが栽

Another characteristic of the Lake Kasumigaura is that it is circu-

培され、季節に応じた果物狩りを、多くの観光果樹園で楽しめる。

lated by the fields of lotus roots cultivation. The Kasumigaura area
is known as the main producing area of Ibaraki’s lotus roots. The

The Lake Kasumigaura, located in the southeastern part of Ibaraki

fields of lotus roots are filled with water just like rice fields. As scen-prefecture, is the second largest lake in Japan (2156.7 km²) fol-ery, no one would deny its beauty in Summer when lotus flowers

lowing the Lake Biwa in the Shiga prefecture. With its heart-likebloom. What very few people know, however, is that the sceneryof the lotus fields from late Autumn to Winter. It is indescribably

Fascination of the area
is like a constellation.

magnificent during sunset, when all
the leaves are gone and only the withered branches are left above the water.
As lotus fields are divided into squares,

the water filling the fields reflects the color of the sky, still dark blue,
and the color of the sunset on the Western horizon, which reminds
us of a beautiful patchwork carpet. Also withered branches enhance its appearance, and remind us of the zen style gardens of old

The area around Lake
Kasumigaura

temples in Kyoto.

1

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The area which used to be called Chiyoda town is famous for its
fruit cultivation. There are many tourist fruit farms where thevisitors can pick the fruits and eat what they picked. The history of
the fruit farms in this area started soon after the modernization ofJapan and when the cultivation of pear started. (cf: Japanese pear
is eaten fresh, is crispier and contains more water than European
varieties.) Now there are farms of strawberries, grapes, Japanesepear, chestnuts, kaki (trans. persimmons) and blueberries that are
cultivated and they offer fruit picking tours, depending on theseason.

IBARAKI

2

的な場所や生産者が結ばれた時、この地域の魅力度は急上昇するに

観光果樹園を自転車で巡るツアー『か違いない。そんな将来の展望を見据えつつ、食大国茨城県を支える

す み が う ら ラ イ ド ク エ ス ト 』 に は、
ショートコース（約 25km）とロングコース ( 約 50km) がある。

“Kasumigaura Ride Quest” promotedby Kasumigaura Mirai-dukuri Company
encourages tourists to explore fruit farms
and tourist spots with three courses; Short
Course (25km), Long Course (50km) anda Free Plan with fee per hour.

生産者を訪れた。
̶
かすみがうら未来づくりカンパニー
http://kasumigaura.miraidukuri.jp/ridequest
茨城県かすみがうら市坂 4784 先 TEL:029-840-9010 かすみがうらライドクエスト3
株式会社かすみがうら未来づくりカン
パニー 代表取締役 今野浩紹さん

Mr. Hirotsugu Konno, the president of
Kasumigaura Mirai-dukuri Company

We met the president of a new company called “Kasumigaura
Mirai-dukuri Company” (trans. Kasumigaura’s Future Creating
Company) which was founded in April 2016 by a private company,a municipality of Kasumigaura and Tsukuba Bank, whose aim was

The Area Around Lake
Kasumigaura

to connect the fascinating spots, farmers and producers (who are all

地 域の魅力に気づき、人々をつなぐ。

「かすみがうら未来づくりカンパニー」は 2016 年 4 月に民間企業、

scattered across the area) with each other to make the whole area
more fascinating.
“Kasumigaura Ride Quest” promoted by Kasumigaura Mirai-dukuri Company encourages tourists to explore fruit farms and tourist
spots with three courses; Short Course (25km), Long Course(50km) and a Free Plan with fee per hour.
The base of Ride Quest is in a modern building located in Ayumizaki Park on a beautiful lake side, where fancy bicycles are waiting foryou. Biking in the Kasumigaura area is awesome. As the area is very
flat, it is recommend even to those who aren’t usually physically

かすみがうら市、筑波銀行の三者が協力して設立。地元産のフルーツや霞ヶ浦の雄大な景色、それらを結ぶサイクリングコースを観光資源として活用することを目的とし『かすみがうらライドクエスト』
を運営している。地域の人々の協力を得て、霞ヶ浦と旧千代田地区に点在する魅力的なスポットや生産者を結びつけることで、ここだけの魅力をつくりだそうと日々活動している。
『かすみがうらライドクエスト』の拠点は、霞ヶ浦湖畔の歩崎公園の中の絶景ポイントに建てられたモダンな建物。レンタサイクル用の高級自転車が並ぶレンタサイクルステーションや、週末は地元で取れた食材を販売しているマルシェが１階に。2 階には、地元の食材を使った料理を提供するレストラン「かすみキッチン」がある。
「かすみがうら未来づくりカンパニー」
によって地域に点在する魅力

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3

IBARAKI4

active. As the view from the park is magnificent, it is also recom-

5

是非サイクリングコースを走ってみて

mendable for those who don’t feel like going on a bicycle tour for

霞ヶ浦周辺は古くからレンコン栽培が欲しい。霞ヶ浦周辺の地域は、比較的平坦な土地が多く、足に自信のない初心者でも気軽にサイクリングを楽しめ

行われている。

their relaxing time.

Harvesting lotus roots is very tough work.
Farmers dunk themselves into the cold
water in cold seasons.

る。霞ヶ浦の美しい景色を見ながら自転車を走らせるのは想像以上に心地良いのだ。

As the Kasumigaura area is very flat, bicycle touring is recommended even to those
who aren’t usually physically active. It willoffer more value for comfort than you
expect. Grab yourself a bike and get riding
to travel around the Lake Kasumigaura!

In this building there is a restaurant called Kasumi Kitchen which
offers dishes cooked with local ingredients. On weekends a market,
called Marché like French, of local vegetables, fruits and other products is held. Now the occasion where various local products gather
is ready. From now on, more producers will participate in thisproject, and the managing procedure will become more efficient.
When all the merits are connected, the fascination of the area will
shine beautifully like a constellation. Here, we would like to introduce you some fascinating producers in the Kasumigaura area.

5—
Kasumigaura Mirai-dukuri Company

野口農 園

4784 Saka, Kasumigaura-shi, Ibaraki prefecture
TEL: 029-840-9010
Ride Quest
http://kasumigaura.miraidukuri.jp/ridequest〜レンコン〜

茨城県が日本一の収穫高を誇る農作物の一つであるレンコンは、主に、霞ヶ浦の周辺で生産されている。蓮の花が咲き誇る夏はもちろん、レンコンの収穫期を迎えた冬の夕暮れ時の風景も、霞ヶ浦の魅力の一つとして数えられる。
同じ品種のレンコンでも土と水、育った環境や栽培方法によって味や香りが全く異なる。大正 15 年創業の野口農園は、代々引き継がれてきた栽培方法で「あじよし」という品種を栽培している。
レンコンは、冷たい水の下の、さらに下の泥の中に隠れている。その泥を、高圧洗浄機の出す強い水流の力を借り、冷たい水の中に身を沈め、泥の中のレンコンを手探りで探す。一網打尽にトラクターで掘り起こそうとすれば、デリケートなレンコンは傷ついてしまう。
皿という舞台の上で必ずしも主役を張る野菜ではないが、歯切れのよい独特の食感と同時に口に広がる染み込んだ出汁の味わいがクセになる、名脇役のような存在である。野口農園の「あじよし」は、

4

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

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Noguchi Farm
– Lotus Roots -もぎたての梨を思わせ、脇役にしておくには惜しいくらいのはじけるような水々しさと甘さを持つ。

19

IBARAKI

Lotus roots are called renkon in Japanese. Unlike many other countries, we eat lotus roots in Japan. They are called “roots” but actually
they are underground stems called tubers (like potatoes). Lotus
roots cut into rounds have many holes (normally from nine to ten),which are air holes. Traditionally lotus roots have been regarded as6a lucky vegetable because their holes are believed to help us see the

株式会社野口農園 取締役 野口憲一さ

future, thus they are eaten in traditional dishes for New Years.

んは、社会学の博士号も持っている。

Mr. Kenichi Noguchi, Executive Directorof Noguchi farm and Doctor of Sociology

In the Kasumigaura area lotus roots have been cultivated for a longtime, however 50 years ago the amount of cultivation increased
drastically. Among all the farmers of lotus roots, Noguchi Farmis known for its quality. Noguchi Farm mainly cultivates a variety“Ajiyoshi” (trans. good taste). Only a few Japanese people knowthat there are varieties of lotus roots. According to Mr. Noguchi,
lotus roots are very delicate and they have their own taste andFascination of the area
is like a constellation.

aroma depending on soil, water, environment and the cultivation method,even when they grow amongst thesame variety of roots. Noguchi Farm,which was founded in 1926, is taking over the cultivation methodfrom generation to generation.
Harvesting lotus roots is hard work because they are hidden in the
mud under cold water. To harvest them you dunk yourselves into
the water, feel around the mud in search of the roots with your left
hand and with your right hand, clear off the mud with a high-pres-6

sure cleaning machine. If harvested with a tractor the delicate roots
will be damaged with a single strike. Lotus roots, even though they
are a very demanding crop for farmers, are not as popular as tomatoes, which many people nominate as a favorite vegetable. However, many Japanese people answer affirmatively if they are asked,“Do you like lotus roots?” In fact, lotus roots are rarely eaten freshand they don’t appear in salad. They are supporting vegetables, so
to speak. Normally they are simmered with chicken, taro roots,
carrots and burdock roots in dashi broth (trans. Japanese traditionalsoup stock) flavored with sugar, sake, and soy sauce. They are also
good if they are deep-fried. They are tasty because they are crispy
and they macerate well the soup stock. However, Ajiyoshi can beeaten fresh. It tastes like Japanese pears, which are juicy and sweet.
Ajiyoshi from Noguchi Farm are superb and exclusive for foodies.
Due to their distinct flavor, they are popular with those who areinterested in fine foods and can be purchased in beautifully displayed presentation boxes for gifting. Mr. Noguchi doesn’t produce
outstanding lotus roots just for fun, but because he wants to makelotus roots of this area a star which attracts more people’s attention.

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IBARAKIMany people may know about Spanish jamón ibérico de bellota,
which is the ham from pigs that feed only on acorns just before
being processed, but few know of Lotus Roots Pork, which is produced by Hirohara Pig Farm where the pigs feed lotus roots frombirth. Hirohara Pig Farm, located about 2km from the lakeside of
Kasumigaura, has 70 years of history. The concept of Lotus Roots
Pork originated from an idea that Mr. Hirohara had while supplying swine manure compost to neighboring lotus roots farms. He
wanted to realize the Regional Recycling Agriculture strategy, andso decided to feed his pigs lotus roots that would otherwise be unsuitable for sale. Lotus Roots are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B12,

Fascination of the area
is like a constellation.

and dietary fiber but low in calories.
So if pigs eat only lotus roots, they will
become too slim and their meat will be
too tough, according to Mr. Hirohara.

He had continued to experiment with the amount of the lotus roots
included in his feed until he found the best composition.
Pigs sometimes eat whole lotus roots. Chewing hard food properly
has benefits not only for human beings but also for pigs. Mr.
Hirohara made also silage (fermented feed). Crushed and dried lotus
roots are put in vacuum storage for about a month, so the lactic acid
広原畜産は、霞ヶ浦の湖畔から 2km 程の所にある 70 年の歴史を持

bacterium in lotus roots can ferment, which enables the roots to be

つ養豚業者。養豚場の糞を堆肥としてレンコン農家に供給し、そこ

preserved for a year. Before this process was developed, it had been

で出来た規格外のレンコンを豚に与えることにより、地域循環型農

difficult to maintain enough feed during Summer as lotus roots are

業を実現させようと「蓮根豚」が生まれた。
豚には、切ったレンコンを餌に混ぜて与えるだけでなく、そのまま丸かじりさせることもある。美味しそうにバリバリとレンコンをかじることによって、豚はより健康になるという。硬い物をよく噛んで食べることが健康に良いのは人間だけではないようだ。
「蓮根豚」は、赤身がとても柔らかな肉質で、脂身が甘く後口がさらっとしていることが特徴。遠くスペインで、ドングリだけを食べて育ったイベリコ豚のベジョータの美味しさを知る人も、茨城県でレンコンを食べて育った「蓮根豚」の美味しさはあまり知らないだろう。その味わいは、養豚業者とレンコン農家という地域の結びつ
きと、生産者がそそぐ愛情と熱意により作り出されている。

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Hirohara Pig Farm
- Lotus Roots Pork -広 原 畜産 〜蓮根豚〜

23

IBARAKIharvested mainly in Autumn and Winter. Many people may associate pig

山野 水 産 〜ナマズ〜

ナマズの刺身が美味しいというのをご存じだろうか。霞ヶ浦湖畔のfarms with a nasty smell, but this is not the case with Hirohara Pig Farm.

そばにある、コイなどの淡水魚の養殖と加工を行う山野水産が、クThe pens are kept clean and pigs grow healthily with love from Mr.

セのないナマズを作り出した。

Hirohara. This is just one of the ways it is clear that Lotus Roots Pork isof high quality.

極上のナマズを作るための第一歩は、ナマズの臭みの成分を分析し、Only the meat whose quality passes Mr. Hirohara’s standard is namedがまず開発された。さらに出荷前の 30 日間、ナマズをきれいな地

その原因を探ることであった。この研究が功を奏し独自の配合飼料
下水に移し、泥抜きという工程を経る。ナマズの旨みをさらに引きLotus Roots Pork. Its characteristics are: it doesn’t have distinct odor

出すために、三枚に下ろし酒と昆布で 1 時間締めてから真空パック

of pork; its fat tastes sweet; the fat melts quickly in your mouth; and itにして販売をしている。こうして作られたナマズの刺身は、むっち

has a clean finish. According to researchers, the odor of the pork can be

りとした弾力と上品な甘みがあり、例えると上質のヒラメの刺身のdecreased by plant lactobacillus, which lotus roots have as a component.

ようだ。

The quality of Lotus Roots Pork was the result of the bond between
lotus roots farms and pig farms, the good relationship between lactic
acid bacterium and pork, and Mr. Hirohara’s love and enthusiasm toward

Mr. Ken Hirohara, the president of Hirohara Pig Farm

pigs. Mr. Hirohara wants the people who don’t like pork to try his Lotus
Roots Pork (unless you are a vegetarian!) If you like pork, nothing willstop you from visiting Ibaraki for the trial.

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Yamano Suisan- Catfish -株式会社広原畜産 代表取締役
広原賢さん

Intriguingly, namazu (trans. catfish) was believed to be fish that

25

IBARAKI

caused earthquakes in Japan, especially during the Edo period (16031868). Many pieces of ukiyoe were printed and sold as protection
from earthquakes after the great earthquake in 1855. Of course, noone believes in this folk belief currently, but still catfish is less popular
compared to unagi (trans. eels) which is eaten all over Japan (eventhough it is endangered and on the Red List). As unagi became popularin the Edo period, that folk belief may have acted upon this significant

difference. Anyway, catfish has been eaten traditionally in some regionsin Japan. It is believed to be very nutritious. In some places it is served asa main dish on a festive occasion, and it is even believed to stimulate theproduction of breast milk. This is not a weird story that exists only inJapan. In Ancient Rome, Athenaeus, a Greek rhetorician, described thecatfish in his book, Deipnosophistae (trans. dinner-table philosophers).
In Germany, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), who is considered to be
the founder of scientific natural history, wrote about catfish, and said
that it was delicious and also beneficial for the sick. In Switzerland,
Conrad Gessner (1516-1565), a naturalist, described the catfish as
something fit for Royal dining. Recently in Japan, since 2015, the value

Fascination of the area
is like a constellation.

of catfish has been reconsidered and now

四万 騎 農 園 （しまきのうえん）

it is seen as an alternative fish to eels.

〜栗〜

霞ヶ浦の湖畔と筑波山のちょうど中間地点にある千代田地区（現在はかすみがうら市）は、果物狩りができる観光農園が多い。いちご、ブドウ、梨、栗、柿、ブルーベリーなどが栽培され、季節に応じた

Still, many people (including Japanese)

果物狩りを楽しむことができる。中でも、茨城県が生産量日本一を

have a preconception that freshwater fish

誇る栗を栽培している四万騎農園を訪れた。四万騎農園の歴史は、
大
正時代に初代である、現当主兵藤昭彦さんの祖父が栗を植え、寒さ

has a particular smell and as a result hesitate to try catfish. It was Mr.

に強い苗木の接木法を発見したことから始まった。
現在では、
約 15haYamano of Yamano Suisan (trans. aquatic products), who first dispelledの土地で様々な品種の栗を栽培し、栗の実とその加工品、苗木を販

of this concern. He did this through successfully producing catfish

売している。古い日本家屋を部分的にモダンにリノベーションした

without odor.

店舗や、まるでディスプレイされているような、トラクターなどが置いてある農機具置き場など、隅々まで見事な農園だ。大谷石の石

Yamano Suisan is a fish farming and processing company near the

蔵では、展覧会や、音響が良いのでミニコンサートが開かれている。

Lake Kasumigaura, and cultivates freshwater fish, such as carps. He̶researched the odor that catfish has, analyzing the components of the

株式会社四万騎農園

odor and the factors that cause it. As a result of this research, he was

茨城県かすみがうら市上土田 1020-24 TEL:0299-59-2038

able to develop fish food that clears away all that contributed to theodor. He also changed the cultivation method by placing the catfish

When thinking about chestnuts, many people are reminded of marrons

days before the shipment. Exposure to the water during this time frame

glacé, chestnuts candied in syrup and glazed. It is debated as to whether its

lets out the mud that causes the odor. In addition, to make his catfish

country of origin is France or Italy, but it surely is the Savoy region, whichmore delicious, he covers the filleted catfish with in a sheet of kelp, fullof glutamic acid which is a key component of umami (trans. savory),and soaks it in sake for an hour. This fillet can be eaten raw as sashimi.
It tastes like flounder and is faintly sweet. If you have any kinds of
有限会社山野水産 専務取締役
山野英明さんMr. Hideaki Yamano, Director of
Yamano Suisan

reservations towards trying catfish, the catfish developed by Mr. Yamano
will make you more tolerant.

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

26

Shimaki-Noen- Chestnuts -in clean groundwater and allowed them to stay there for the last thirty

27

extends over current France and current Italy. Even though Japan did
not have marrons glacé, chestnuts are considered a traditional food. Kurikinton (trans. mashed and sweetened boiled chestnuts, sometimes mixed
with sweet potato paste) is one of the indispensable dishes for New Years’celebration. Kuri-gohan (trans. chestnuts rice) is an Autumn delicacy.
Chestnuts are boiled and steamed together with rice.
Chestnuts are broadly classified into four cultivars: Western (Castanea

IBARAKIcrenata). One characteristic of Japanese cultivar is that their trees don’t
grow very high. Ibaraki prefecture is the biggest producing prefecture ofchestnuts of Japanese cultivar. Shimaki Noen (trans. Shimaki Farm)’s
history started at the beginning of the 20th century, when it began to

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

日本の魅力 発見プロジェクト

Kasumigaura and Mt. Tsukuba Area in Ibaraki Prefecture

茨城県 霞ヶ浦・筑波地域

develop a new variety of chestnut that can resist cold temperatures. Now
they produce various varieties of chestnuts over 15 hectares land and sell

栗の皮をむくためだけに作られた道具を上手に使い、あっという間に硬い鬼皮を剥いてくれた。新潟の燕三条にあchestnuts, processed food and young trees. Have you ever imagined how

る諏訪田製作所が作った『栗くり坊主』

many varieties of chestnuts exist? In Italy, for example, there are two

こだわりの生産者同士の繋がりをここでも垣間見た。

words that indicate “chestnuts”; marrone and castagna, also in Franceという道具で、開発に協力したという。

Mr. Hyodo peeled the husk and anotherskin underneath (called astringent) soquickly with a tool made specially for
peeling chestnuts in the Tsubame-Sanjo
area, Niigata.

Chapter

there are marron and châtaigne. The main difference between them is the“Mt. Tsukuba area”

size; marrone and marron are bigger than castagna and châtaigne. To be

Tsukuba Symposion– The Modern Feasts
from the Gods of Mt. Tsukuba

precise, there are more varieties, according to Mr. Hyodo of Shimaki Farm.
Basically the chestnuts trees grow in mountains and people pick the fallen
nuts. As the fallen nuts tumble down a mountainside it is near impossible

Fascination of the area
is like a constellation.

2

text by Rei Saionji
photographs by Hide Urabe

to tell the tree that they fell from. That’s
why nobody really discusses the varieties ofchestnuts beyond their size. On the other
hand, at Shimaki Farm the varieties ofchestnuts are clearly identified as their trees grow on the flatland and spaceis left between trees. Mr. Shimaki made us try the raw chestnuts. That was
the first taste test for us, and we actually realized that chestnuts were nuts!
Raw chestnuts are crunchy like almonds but juicier when chewed. Other
than raw chestnuts (for cooking), chestnut jams, Shibukawa-ni (trans.
compote of chestnuts with astringent skin) and Kuri-kinton are available atthe shop of Shimaki Farm. Don’t miss their marron soft-serve ice cream.
Its dense flavor of chestnuts will make you happy.
Shimaki Farm is fascinating not only because of the chestnuts but also
because of their beautifully renovated old wooden house and a stonebuilt warehouse where exhibitions of artworks and concerts are held.
Everything, even tractors are beautifully placed, which is soothing andrelaxing to look at. The starting point of Kasumigaura Ride Quest’s shortcourse is at Shimaki Farm. The participants will go on a tour by bicycle to a
fruits farm, enjoying the scenery of the Kasumigaura area. How splendid!
株式会社四万騎農園 兵藤昭彦さん—
Shimaki Noen

Mr. Akihiko Hyodo of Shimaki Farm

1020-24 Tsuchida, Kasumigaura-shi, Ibaraki prefecture TEL: 0299-59-2038

し ま き

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

28

29

IBARAKI

筑波地域

sativa), American (C. dentate), Chinese (C. mollissima) and Japanese (C.

筑 波 嶺の神々のもてなし̶ 筑波の魅力を美味しさから紐 解く

筑波山は「西の富士、東の筑波」とも称される山。標高 877 ｍと、

that disturbed the scenery. Beauty is also a characteristic in com-

高さこそ、3,776 ｍの富士山の 4 分の 1 にも満たないが、あの歌川

mon of these two fabulous mountains. Mt. Tsukuba is a mountain

広重も江戸の町から西を見渡す風景のバックには富士山を、北からthat changes its color depending on the season. In Autumn it is

北東を見渡す風景のバックには筑波山を描くことが多かったといyellow and red with Autumn leaves, and in Spring it is pink withう。富士山と同じように信仰の対象とされる山であり、二つの山頂

plum blossoms. Many people visit for mountain climbing, but aに筑波山神社の本殿がある。筑波山の二つの山頂は、それぞれ、男ropeway and a cable car are installed for those who want to go up

体山、女体山と呼ばれており、男体山には、伊邪那岐命（イザナギ

the mountain easily and quickly.

ノミコト）、
女体山には伊耶那美命（イザナミノミコト）が祀られて

If you want to go directly to the Mt. Tsukuba area from Tokyo, takeいる。はるか昔、まだ関東平野が海の下にあった頃、そこに波がぶ

Tsukuba Express from Akihabara station. It takes only 47 minutes!

つかることから筑波山と呼ばれるようになったともいわれる。筑波

Here are two recommendable places near Mt. Tsukuba.

山は、秋には紅葉、春には梅と、季節ごとに身にまとう衣の色を変える山であり、
多くの人が訪れる観光名所である。茨城県南部には、『かすみがうらライドクエスト』の他、霞ヶ浦を一周する約 94km の自転車道や、かすみがうら市から土浦市を通って筑波山まで行ける

稲葉酒造

筑波山の麓、「つくば霞ヶ浦りんりんロード」の筑波休憩所の近くに、女性が杜氏を務める酒蔵、稲葉酒蔵がある。慶応 3 年（1867「つくば霞ヶ浦りんりんロード」という、総延長約 180km のサイク

年）徳川慶喜が朝廷に大政奉還した年に、酒造りを始めた歴史ある

リングロードの整備が進められている。

稲葉酒蔵は創業以来、筑波山神社の御神酒を造っており、その酒には、男体山と女体山の間を流れる沢である男女川（みなのがわ）という名前がつけられている。

Taking advantage of its vast flatland, the Southeastern part of the
Ibaraki prefecture is suitable for bicycle touring. In fact, other than
Ride Quest programs, there is a long bicycle road circling the Lake
Kasumigaura (approx. 94km) and a trans-city bicycle road called“Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Rin Rin Road” (cf: Rin Rin is the an onomatopoeic word for a bell.) from Kasumigaura-shi to the Tsukuba
area via Tsuchiura-shi (approx. 180km).
Mt. Tsukuba has been very popular for a long time. People in Edo

The area around Lake
Kasumigaura(Tokyo) loved it and nominated the two beautiful mountains as“Mt. Fuji of the West, Mt. Tsukuba of the East". In fact, a famous
ukiyoe artist, Utagawa Hiroshige, liked to draw Mt. Fuji from theback view when he drew the landscape overlooking the West fromthe town of Edo. He also drew the back view of Mt. Tsukuba,
overlooking the north or northeast. Mt. Tsukuba is not that highcompared to Mt. Fuji. It is 877m high, which is less than a quarterof Mt. Fuji (3,776m). The distance from Nihonbashi of Edo to Mt.
Fuji is about 120 km, while Mt. Tsukuba is about 60 km. Considering their difference from Edo’s plains and their heights, these two
mountains from a long distance may have appeared to be nearly thesame height in the Edo period when there were no high buildings

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

30

31

IBARAKI稲葉酒造 株式会社男女川 蔵元 / 杜氏
稲葉伸子さんMrs. Nobuko Inaba, the responsible
sake brewer of Inaba Shuzo.

現在六代目蔵元兼杜氏を務める稲葉伸子さんは二人姉妹の次女。30can do. However, Mrs. Inaba’s enthusiasm in sake making broke that

歳になり稲葉酒造の六代目杜氏を継承しようと名乗り出た時、跡継preconception. Before her decision to continue the family business

ぎの男子がなく、自分の代で稲葉酒造を終わらせるつもりだった五when she was thirty years old, she had a career in business as a buyer

代目の父は猛反対。酒造りの世界が女性にはまだとても厳しい時代

in a department store. In Japan, the family business is normally suc-

故のことだった。しかし反対を押し切って、造りを一から学び稲葉

ceeded by the first son. However, she was born as the first daughter

酒造六代目の女性杜氏となった。女性でも動かせるようにタンクやin the Inaba family. She has a little sister but no brothers. Moreover,

道具を小さくするとともに、昔ながらの製法で造る酒蔵の希少性に

their family business is sake brewing in which traditionally women

共感した筑波大学の教授や学生の協力を得て酒造りをしている。手were not allowed to engage in. Her father had once decided to aban-

間やコストを度外視し、酒に良いと考えていることしか行わない。

don the family business until she showed her interest and enthusi-

全ての作業は蔵人の手作業で行い、搾りも時間と手間をかけた袋吊

asm toward him. She did not want to give up continuing the sakeりで行う。酒の最も質の高いところだけを自然の重みだけで一滴一brewery just because she was female. She loved watching the process

滴落としていく。出来た酒には、炭濾過や、味を調えることは一切

of sake brewing since she was a child. Knowing the toughness of

行わない。瓶には、仕込んだタンクの番号が記載されており、タンsake brewing, however, her parents still disagreed to her decision.

クによる酒の味の違いをも楽しむことができる。稲葉酒造では、11Some professors and students of Tsukuba University who sympa-

月から 2 月の酒造り繁忙期以外は、事前予約で酒蔵見学が可能。酒thized with her worked together to

蔵カフェが併設されており、きき酒はもちろん、日本酒や酒粕、地Tsukuba Symposion – The Modern support this very uncommon sakebrewery run by a woman. She madeFeasts from the Gods of Mt. Tsukuba tanks and tools smaller so a female

元の食材を使ったランチを楽しめる。
（要予約）̶

who has less strength can use them

稲葉酒造
茨城県つくば市沼田 1485 TEL:029-866-0020

easily. However, the method of sake brewing that she uses is fromwww.minanogawa.jp

her father, which has been passed on from generation to generation

Inaba Shuzo- Sake Brewery-in her family. Now she brews sake with her husband who is helping
At the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, near the rest area of Tsukuba-Kasu-

her with managing the brewery. They are dedicated to brew only

migaura Rin Rin Road, there is a sake brewery where a woman is

the highest quality sake regardless of cost and labor that it takes. All

brewing sake, Inaba Shuzo (trans. Inaba Brewery). Since its estab-the process is manually done and the extracting procedure is done

lishment it has offered its sake to Tsukubasan Jinja (trans. Shrine ofwithout squeezing to let sake drop naturally. They don’t charcoal

Mt. Tsukuba). As mentioned earlier, Mt. Tsukuba has twin peaks.

filter sake and never adjust flavor afterward. Their sake is brewed by

One is considered as the peak where a male god lies and is called

the process which they believe is the best, and the bottle labels have

Nantai-zan (trans. Male Mountain) and the other is considered thea tank number recorded on them, as they believe that the taste offemale peak with a goddess and is called Nyotai-zan (trans. Female

sake is different from tank to tank where sake is left to age. In Inaba

Mountain). The one which is slightly lower is the male one! That

Brewery you can see the sake brewing (except for during the busy

holy sake brewed by Inaba Brewery was named after the river that

period from November to February. Reservation required). There isflows between the male peak and the female peak as Minano-gawaa café on-site that offers lunch made with local ingredients and sake.

(trans. the Minano River) (cf: Male and female river if it is written

You can try various types of sake, too (Reservation required).

in kanji but its pronunciation is Minano River.)Mrs. Inaba learned—
Inaba Shuzo

the sake brewing process in order to become the sixth toji (trans. theresponsible person in charge of the elaborate sake making process).

1485 Numata, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki prefecture TEL: 029-866-0020
www. minanogawa.jp

Historically toji had long been recognized as a job that only men

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

32

33

IBARAKIひたち野

筑波山の山頂に向かうロープウェイ乗り場の近く、風返峠（かぜかQuaint old houses are situated near the boarding place of the ropeway

えしとうげ）に、趣のある合掌造りの建物が建っている。この地域

heading for the top of Mt. Tsukuba on a mountain pass called Kaze-

でも合掌造りの伝統があるのかと思いきや、これは奥飛騨白川郷のkaeshi toge (trans. Kaze-kaeshi Pass). Kaze-kaeshi literally means “wind

築二百年の古民家三軒を移築したもの。ここでは、茨城県が誇る「常returns”. It is said that the origin of its name is inspired by the wind from陸牛」を提供している。

the ocean that rebounds from the steep mountain slope that blocks its

常陸牛の歴史は、江戸の天保年間までさかのぼる。最後の将軍、徳川慶喜の父である水戸藩主の徳川斉昭が黒毛牛の飼育を始めたことが始まり。肉のきめがとても細かく繊細で赤身に細かく『さし』が入った、まさに霜降り。しかし、胃にどっしりと来るような脂っぽさは全く感じられない。一口食べただけで、天国に昇るような幸福

path. These houses are built in the style called Gassho-dukuri, which
常陸牛料理ひたち野 常陸野産業株式
会社 代表取締役 鬼沢一彦さん

the Gifu prefecture, where Gassho-dukuri styled houses gathered. The

Mr. Kazuhiko Onizawa, the owner ofthe restaurant Hitachino.

characteristic of the houses is the steep roof which resembles Gassho(trans. the shape of hands folded in prayer). Three two-hundred-year-old

感が口いっぱいに広がる。生産技術が認められた指定生産者が育て

Gassho style houses, which were scheduled to be torn down, were bought

た牛のうち、肉質が優れたものだけが常陸牛と認定される。知名度

and transported here. These houses are used as a restaurant that offers

こそ高くはないが、黒毛和牛の最高級ブランドとして全世界にそのexquisite Hitachi beef, which is raised in the Ibaraki prefecture.

名を馳せるブランド牛に引けをとらない牛肉なのだ。
ひたち野では、屋外で美しい景色を見ながら食事を楽しむこともできる。
「常陸牛」

Cattle breeding of this area began during the end of the Edo periodのご馳走は、筑波山でハイキングを楽しんだ後や、自転車で山道をby the father of the last Shogun, who was the feudal lord of the Mito

登った後に最適な、最大の自分へのご褒美だろう。

domain in the area now called Ibaraki prefecture. So Hitachi Beef is not̶only delicious but also has long history. The taste of Hitachi Beef is as

筑波山ひたち野
茨城県つくば市臼井 2103-5

is not the traditional type of this region but of the Shirakawa village inrich as the internationally famous Kobe Beef or Matsuzaka Beef though

筑波山風返峠 029-866-1221

www.hitachino.com

it hasn’t achieved the same level of fame yet. It has a smooth texture, not
too hard and not too soft. Fat is marbling in the red meat and it is veryjuicy, but not heavy. The rich after taste lasts long in your mouth but
you never feel the greasiness.
You can also eat outside during the daytime and appreciate themagnificent scenery of the Tsukuba area. The beauty of the sunset isbeyond description. For those who go up the Mt. Tsukuba by bicycle
and who go on a hike, Hitachi Beef is a great reward for hard work!
Moreover, we recommend that you spend your day in the Kasumigaura

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

34

Hitachino- Hitachi Beef -常 陸 牛料理area and then go up the Mt. Tsukuba to enjoy the beautiful scenery in

35

IBARAKIthe evening. A dinner with Hitachi beef will conclude your extravagant
visit in the southern part of Ibaraki!

—
Tsukuba-san Hitachino2103-5 Usui, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki prefecture
TEL: 029-866-1221
www.hitachino.com

The Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba areain Ibaraki Prefecture— Ibaraki in your pockets

One day trip
to the Lake Kasumigaura Area in Ibaraki
INVITATION to KASUMIGAURA AREA
A heart-like-shaped Lake Kasumigaura is the second largest lake inJapan and offers a fascinating view. Bicycle touring around the lake or
to fruit farms nearby is recommended also for those who are not usually
physically active as the area is very flat.

TIME TABLES• Time Table of JR Joban Line Limited Express Tokiwa (as of March, 2017)

From Ueno Station
7:30, 8:30, 9:10 (only on weekends and holidays), 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
From Tsuchiura Station
16:25, 17:25, 18:10 (only on weekday), 18:24, 19:24, 20:24, 21:24, 22:24
Lotus roots field

Fruits Picking-Time Required: 45min.
-Fare: 2,140 yen (Basic Fare 1,140 yen + Express Fare with seat reservation 1,000 yen)

Shimaki-Noen (Chestnuts)

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

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37

IBARAKI

One day trip to the Lake Kasumigaura Area in Ibaraki

TIME SCHEDULETIMESCHEDULE

8:30

Ueno Station（上野駅）

9:16

Tsuchiura Station（土浦駅）

WHAT TO SEE

TRANSPORTATIONJR Joban Line Limited Express
Tokiwa No.53 bound for Katsuta（JR 常磐線 特急ときわ 勝田行き）■Lotus roots field（レンコン畑）
The Kasumigaura area is the leading producing area of lotus roots. The fields
are filled with water just like rice fields. The scenery in summer is beautiful withlotus flowers blooming, and at the sunset from late Autumn to Winter is alsomagnificent when all the leaves are gone and only the withered branches are left,
which reminds you of the zen style gardens of old temples in Kyoto.

18km
Taxi (30 min. 6,000 yen)
Kasumigaura Koryu Center

10:00（かすみがうら市交流センター）(Kasumigaura Cultural Exchange
Center)■‘Hobikisen’ (Cloth sailboat)（帆引き船）
ʻHobikisenʼ is a giant sailboat with a 10 square-meter sail which had been used

Bicycle Tour “Ride Quest” Short10:10 course (25km) or hire a bike andride it where you like
13:00

for net-fishing in the Kasumigaura Lake until 1967. It has a similar structure toa giant kite and it slides sideways through the water with wind. The operating
demonstration is held only on Sundays from the end of July to the end of
November. A ferry-boat tour offers close-up views.
Boarding point: Shitozaki Fishing Port（志戸崎漁港）, a few minutes walkfrom Ayumizaki Park（歩崎公園）,
TEL: 029-897-1111 (City Tourism Association Office)（かすみがうら市観光協会）

Lunch at Kasumi Kitchen（かすみキッチン）Go around the Lake Kasumigaura
14:00 or Hobikisen viewing cruise（観光帆引き船）■Fuchu Homare Sake Brewery（府中誉）An old brewery founded in 1854. It brews sake from locally harvested rice.
The tour in the old brewery which is registered as National Tangible Cultural
Properties (built in Meiji Era) is available. (reservation required)
5-9-32 Kokufu, Ishioka-shi（石岡市国府 5-9-32）
TEL: 0299-23-0233
Opening hours: 10:00-16:00 Closed on Sundays

Kasumigaura Koryu Center

16:30（かすみがうら市交流センター）(Kasumigaura Cultural Exchange
Center)

or
TIME

9:16

SCHEDULE■Lake Kasumigaura（霞ヶ浦）
The heart-shaped lake is the second largest in Japan and offers you a beautiful view,pleasant breeze and relaxing moment.

■Shibanuma Soy Sauce Factory（柴沼醤油醸造）
An old factory founded in 1688. It makes soy sauce using wood barrels, which isonly one left in Tsuchiura. It was one of the three largest production areas of soy
sauce in the Greater Tokyo Area.
374 Mushikake, Tsuchiura-shi（土浦市虫掛町 374）
TEL: 029-821-2400
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays

TRANSPORTATION

Tsuchiura Station（土浦駅）
15km Taxi (30 min. 5,000 yen)

Mountain trekking in Mt. Asama
10:00 From Yukiiri Fureainosato Park
（雪入ふれあいの里公園）

12km Taxi (22 min. 4,000 yen)
13:00

Soba Lunch at Fumoto（手打ちそば処 麓）

9km Taxi (17 min. 3,000 yen)
14:00

Fuchu Homare（府中誉）Sake Brewer
15km Taxi (25 min. 5,000 yen)

16:00

Shibanuma Soy Sauce Factory（柴沼醤油醸造）

3.5 kmTaxi (7 min. 1,200 yen)
17:25 Tsuchiura Station（土浦駅）

JR Joban Line Limited Express
Tokiwa No.84 bound for Ueno
（JR 常磐線 特急ときわ 上野行き）

18:07 Ueno Station（上野駅）

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

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39

IBARAKI

One day trip to the Lake Kasumigaura Area in Ibaraki

WHAT TO DO■Cycle Hiring
Kasumigaura area is suitable for bicycle touring due to its vast flatland. Grab
yourself a bike and get riding to travel around the Lake Kasumigaura!
<Kasumigaura Ride Quest>-Short Course (25km): 8,500 yen -Long Course (50km): 8,500 yen
includes bicycle touring, fruit picking, lunch, foot bath etc..
-Free Plan Ride (500yen/hour, 1,500 yen for 5 hours)*Bike Hire at Kasumigaura Cultural Exchange Center
4784 Saka, Kasumigaura-shi（かすみがうら市坂 4784）
TEL: 029-840-9010

RESTAURANTS■Kasumi Kitchen（かすみキッチン）
Taking advantage of the magnificent asset at the lakeside, it offers beautiful
waterfront view other than dishes cooked with local ingredients. On weekends, amarket called Marché like French of local vegetables, fruits and other products isheld.
2nd floor of Cultural Exchange Center building
4784 Saka, Kasumigaura-shi（かすみがうら市坂 4784）TEL: 029-896-1227
Breakfast: 7:00-10:00, Lunch; 11:00-15:00,
Dinner: 17:00-22:00 Closed on Mondays■Fumoto, Soba Restaurant（手打ちそば処 麓）
It offers soba (buckwheat noodles) made with home-milled flour of locallyharvested buckwheat. Tempura of locally grown vegetables is also recommended.
829-1 Negoya, Ishioka-shi（石岡市寝小屋 829-1）
TEL: 0299-43-0598
Opening hours: 11:30-14:00 Closed on Thursdays, the 4th Wednesday and theSecond Sunday of every month.

■Fruits Picking
There are many tourist fruit farms where the visitors can pick the fruits and eat
what they picked depending on the season, such as strawberries, grapes, Japanesepear, chestnuts, kaki (persimmons) and blueberries.
-Ikeda Farm (strawberries)（いけだファーム）
967 Shimotsuchida, Kasumigaura-shi（かすみがうら市下土田 967）
TEL: 0299-59-6781-Ishige Fruit Farm (grapes and chestnuts)（石毛果樹園）
871 Shimotsushida, Kasumigaura-shi（かすみがうら市下土田 871）
TEL: 0299-59-3520
HikingSeveral hiking courses starts at Yukiiri Fureainosato Park.（雪入ふれあいの里公園）-Moutain trekking course (120min)-Fruit Farm course (90min)-Mt. Yukiiricourse (180min)-Yukiiri long course (210min): along the course (13km) you willsee beautiful flowers, sceneries, shrines, local village, fruit farms etc … including
mountain trekking.
452-1 Yukiiri, Kasumigaura-shi (Yukiiri Fureainosato Park)（かすみがうら市雪入 452-1 雪入ふれあいの里公園）
TEL: 0299-59-7000

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

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IBARAKI

The Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba areain Ibaraki Prefecture— Ibaraki in your pockets

One Day Trip
to the Mt. Tsukuba Area
INVITATION to Mt. TSUKUBA AREA
Mt. Tsukuba has been very popular for a long time among the Japanese.
People in Edo (Tokyo) loved it and nominated the two beautiful
mountains as “Mt. Fuji of the West, Mt. Tsukuba of the East". A famous
Ukiyoe artist, Utagawa Hiroshige, liked to draw Mt. Fuji from theback view when he drew the landscape overlooking the West from Edo.
He also drew the back view of Mt. Tsukuba, overlooking the north or
northeast. Mt. Tsukuba changes its color depending on the season, in
Autumn it is in yellow and red with Autumn leaves, and in Spring it ispink with plum blossoms.

Mt. Tsukuba (Spring)

TIME TABLES• Time Table of Tsukuba Express (as of March, 2017)

From Akihabara Station<weekdays>*7:39, *7:52, *8:05, 8:48, 9:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00<weekends and holidays>
8:00, 8:30, *8:45, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00 *12:45, 13:00
From Tsukuba Station<weekdays>
18:19, 18:50, 19:20, 19:50, 20:22, 21:08, *21:10, *21:24, *21:39, *21:54,*22:10, *22:26, *22:58<weekends and holidays>
18:25, 18:55, 19:25, 19:55, 20:25, 20:55, 21:28, 33:09, *22:15, *22:30, *22:58-Time Required: 45min. (trains with* 53 min.)-Fare: 2,140 yen (Basic Fare 1,140 yen-Fare: 1,190 yen

Mt. Tsukuba (Autumn)

Mt.Tsukuba Shrine (Tsukuba-san Jinja)

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries

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IBARAKI

One Day Trip to the Mt. Tsukuba Area

TIME SCHEDULE

WHAT TO SEETIMESCHEDULE

TRANSPORTATION

8:48

Akihabara Station（秋葉原駅）

Tsukuba Express boundfor Tsukuba（つくばエクスプレス）

9:35

Tsukuba Station（つくば駅）（筑波山シャトルバス「つつじヶ丘」
行き）(about 40 min.)Shuttle Bus bound for Tsutsujigaoka

Tsukuba-san Jinja Iriguchi
10:30 （筑波山神社入口）(Entrance of Mt. Tsukuba Shrine)
Walk (10 min.)Tsukuba-san Jinja（ 筑 波 山 神 社 ）10:40(Mt. Tsukuba Shrine)■Mt.Tsukuba Shrine (Tsukuba-san Jinja)（筑波山神社）
An ancient shrine with a history of over 3000 years. Beautiful and solemnbuildings in the site are must-see.

Walk
12:00 Lunch (near the shrine)
Cable Car
Miyukigahara（御幸ヶ原）
13:30 (near the mountaintop of Male
Peak)

■Inaba Sake Brewery（稲葉酒造）
A historical sake brewery managed by a female toji (responsible person for sakemaking). All the processes are manually done. Sake is extracted without squeezing.
As they donʼt adjust flavor afterward, you can taste the difference of sake aged invarious tanks. You can see the sake brewing except for during the busy period from
November to February. Reservation required.
1485 Numata, Tsukuba-shi（つくば市沼田 1485）
TEL: 029-866-0020
Opening hours 9:00-18:00, Closed on Wednesdays

Cable Car
Tsukuba-san Jinja（ 筑 波山神 社 ）15:30(Mt. Tsukuba Shrine)
Walk (2km, 30 min.)
16:00 Inaba Sake Brewery（稲葉酒造）
To Hitachino 7km
Taxi (10 min. 2,400 yen)

RESTAURANTS

or
TIME

SCHEDULE

TRANSPORTATION

Miyukigahara（御幸ヶ原）
13:30 (near the mountaintop of MalePeak)

Nyotaizan Station（女体山駅）(nearthe mountaintop of Female Peak)
Ropeway
Tsutsujigaoka Station（つつじヶ丘駅）■Tsukuba-san Hitachino（筑波山 ひたち野）
A restaurant in renovated two-hundredyear-old Gassho (the shape of hands folded in prayer) style houses offers exquisite
Hitachi beef raised in Ibaraki prefecture. The taste of Hitachi Beef is as rich as theinternationally famous Kobe or Matsuzaka Beef though it hasnʼt achieved the samelevel of fame yet.
2103-5 Usui, Tsukuba-shi（つくば市臼井 2103-5）
TEL: 029-866-1221 Opening hours: 10:30-20:30

Walk (25min.)
18:00 Dinner at Hitachino（常陸野）22km Taxi (30 min. 7,600 yen)
20:22 Tsukuba Station（筑波駅）

Tsukuba Express boundfor Akihabara（つくばエクスプレス）

21:07 Akihabara Station（秋葉原駅）

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries■Tsukuba-san Edoya（筑波山 江戸屋）
The nearest (300m from the shrine) Japanese style inn, ryokan, which offers ʻDay
planʼ for 2 hours with a Japanese style lunch to any visitors. You can also take abath! (additional fee: 500 yen)
(Reservation required)
728 Tsukuba, Tsukuba-shi（つくば市筑波 728）
TEL: 029-866-0321■Kanda-ya（神田屋）
It is famous for its Oyakodon (literally meaning ʻparent and child bowlʼ), a
Japanese rice bowl dish consisting of chicken and eggs cooked in a bit sweetened
dashi (broth).
(78m from the Shrine)
722 Tsukuba, Tsukuba-shi（つくば市筑波 722）
TEL: 029-866-0044 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00

Walk
Mountain climbing

17:30■Mt. Tsukuba（筑波山）
A mountain with twin-peaks. As it is not that high (877m), it is recommended tofor hiking, even for those who are not serious climbers. There are also a ropeway
and a cable car which take you up to the mountaintop easily!
-Cable Car: 580 yen (one-way ticket), 1,050 yen (round-trip ticket)
Departs from near Tsukuba Shrine (Shuttle Bus from Tsukuba Station which
departs every thirty minutes. 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30… 720 yen)
-Ropeway: 620yen (one-way ticket), 1,100 yen (round-trip ticket)
Departs from Tsutsujigaoka (Shuttle bus from Tsukuba-san Jinja Iriguchi )-Recommended Hiking Course: From the Cable car station, go up to themountaintop of Male Peak (300m but quite tough) and go between the twin peaks
to Tsutsujigaoka. You can also continue hiking up to the mountaintop of Female
Peak (550m but moderate incline).

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IBARAKIACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

主催／経済産業省関東経済産業局
協力／レ・クレドール ジャパン

Contents & WEB
全体監修／阿部 佳（グランド ハイアット 東京 コンシェルジュ、
明海大学ホスピタリティ・ツーリズム学部教授）
編集／鳥山祐加子（株式会社料理通信社）
文章／西園寺 怜（Team Mercurius）
写真／ Hide Urabe

Book
編集／堀江由利子
アートディレクション・デザイン／ ampersands
校正・校閲（日本語）／有限会社 西進社
印刷・製本／株式会社八紘美術

Project Sponsor/Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
Cooperation/Les Clefs d Or Japan
Contents & WEB
Supervision/Kay Abe, Concierge (Grand Hyatt Tokyo),
Professor (Meikai University)
Editor/Yukako Toriyama, Ryori Tsushinsha Co., Ltd.
Writer/Rei Saionji, Team Mercurius
Photographer/Hide Urabe
Book
Editor/Yuriko Horie
Art Director/ampersands
Proof Revisions (Japanese)/Saishinsha, Ltd.
Printing/Hakkou Bijyutsu Co., Ltd.

Beyond Ordinary Itineraries
The Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba Area in Ibaraki Prefecture“IBARAKI”
日本の魅力 発見プロジェクト〜茨城県

霞ヶ浦・筑波地域〜※本プロジェクトは、経済産業省関東経済産業局が実施する「平成２８年度地域とホテルコンシェルジュが連携した、新たなインバウンド富裕層獲得のための支援事業」と連携して、グランド ハイアット 東京
コンシェルジュ 阿部佳氏のアドバイスを得て実施しています。

This project is supported by the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry.