Discover the captivating beauty of Hitachi Seaside Park, nestled in Ibaraki Prefecture, just a short trip from Tokyo. Each spring, the park transforms into a breathtaking sea of blue as over 5.3 million nemophila, also known as “baby blue eyes,” blanket its rolling hills. The floral spectacle, set against the backdrop of clear skies and the nearby ocean, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Why Visit Hitachi Seaside Park’s Nemophila Hill
- Spectacular Floral Display: Witness the stunning sight of approximately 5.3 million baby blue eyes (nemophila) flowers blanketing Miharashi Hill, creating a seamless flow of blue that merges with the sky and sea.
- Ideal Photo Opportunities: The hill’s elevation and the vast spread of blue flowers provide unique and captivating backdrops for both amateur and professional photographers.
- Additional Attractions: Beyond the nemophila, the park features a variety of seasonal blooms and attractions including tulips and kochia, making it a worthwhile visit any time of the year.
- Culinary Delights and Souvenirs: Enjoy seasonal treats like blue ramune-soda-flavored soft cream and other nemophila-inspired goods available at local food stalls and shops during the blooming season.
Overview of Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a sprawling public park located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This extensive park, covering around 350 hectares, is celebrated for its vibrant and ever-changing floral displays, which draw visitors from across the globe. Throughout the year, the park showcases a stunning array of seasonal flowers: from the bright hues of narcissus and tulips in the spring to the deep tones of roses and nemophila in early summer, followed by zinnias in the warmer months, and kochia and cosmos flowers in the autumn. Each season not only changes the color palette of the park but also its thematic focus, making every visit unique.
Historically, the area served multiple purposes, including as a Japanese military airfield and a U.S. Army firing range after World War II, before it was transformed into a national park in 1991. This transformation was part of a broader initiative to provide recreational space for the public while preserving and celebrating the natural environment.
Beyond its botanical attractions, Hitachi Seaside Park offers a wide range of recreational facilities. It features extensive cycling paths, an amusement park known as Pleasure Garden, and various sports facilities, making it a family-friendly destination. The park’s walking and cycling trails are particularly popular, allowing guests to comfortably explore its vast expanses.
Hitachi Seaside Park is also committed to environmental preservation, employing eco-friendly practices to maintain its diverse ecosystems and natural landscapes. Easily accessible from Tokyo via a short train ride, the park serves as a perfect urban escape, hosting various events and festivals throughout the year that highlight the beauty of its seasonal floral displays, including the famed Nemophila Harmony in spring.
Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila
Nemophila, commonly known as “baby blue eyes,” are delicate annual flowers native to North America but have found a spectacular showcase halfway across the world in Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park. These charming flowers, characterized by their vibrant sky-blue color, bloom profusely from mid-April to early May. In the Japanese language of flowers , nemophila mean “pretty”, “successful everywhere”, and “I forgive you”.
When visiting Hitachi Seaside Park during the nemophila season, guests are greeted by the breathtaking sight of Miharashi Hill transformed into a serene sea of blue. Approximately 5.3 million nemophila flowers cover the hill, blending seamlessly with the spring sky above and creating a surreal, picturesque landscape. The hill’s elevation allows for stunning photo opportunities, with the ocean’s vast expanse adding a dramatic backdrop to the soft blues of the flowers.
Furthermore, the park offers themed food and merchandise during the bloom period, such as nemophila-inspired sweets and drinks, adding to the overall experience. The integration of these elements makes a visit to Hitachi Seaside Park during the nemophila season a holistic, immersive experience that appeals to all senses. Visitors leave not only with photos but with cherished memories of wandering through the sprawling blue landscapes under the clear, expansive skies.
Beyond Nemophila: Other Attractions in the Park
While Hitachi Seaside Park is renowned for its stunning nemophila display in spring, the park offers a wealth of attractions that appeal year-round. Beyond the iconic blue fields of April and May, each season brings its own unique highlights, ensuring the park’s appeal across the calendar year.
Spring and Summer Delights
After the nemophila bloom, the park transitions into vibrant summer colors. Tulips take center stage initially, with the park showcasing over a million bulbs in an array of colors that create a vivid tapestry in the early spring. As summer progresses, roses and zinnias come into bloom, filling the park with their fragrant and colorful presence. The early summer months also see the roses in full glory in the Rose Garden, where numerous varieties display their beauty and scent.
Autumn and Winter Transformations
Autumn at Hitachi Seaside Park is particularly famous for the fiery reds of the kochia bushes, which turn from green to a deep crimson as the season progresses. This striking change complements the golden hues of the cosmos flowers that also bloom around the same time. The autumn foliage provides a spectacular display of colors, drawing visitors who come to enjoy the cooler weather and scenic views. In winter, while the floral displays give way, the park remains open, offering tranquil walks and the stark beauty of the landscape, which provides a different kind of appeal, underscored by the crisp winter air and often clear blue skies.
Year-Round Activities and Events
Aside from its natural attractions, Hitachi Seaside Park is equipped with extensive recreational facilities. The Pleasure Garden features an amusement park with a Ferris wheel offering expansive views of the park and beyond. For sports enthusiasts, there are also cycling paths and a BMX course. Families can enjoy the wide-open spaces for picnicking and playgrounds for children.
Special Events
Throughout the year, Hitachi Seaside Park hosts various events that leverage the seasonal beauty of the park. These include flower festivals, light shows, and cultural events that celebrate local traditions and holidays. The park also incorporates educational programs about environmental conservation and plant science, making it a destination that offers more than just visual enjoyment.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: For the nemophila, plan your visit between mid-April and early May. To avoid the crowds, weekday visits are recommended, especially early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
- Transportation Pass: Visitors can purchase a set 1-day bus ticket and park admission at Katsuta Station. This one-day pass allows for unlimited bus rides on the date of validity.
- What to Bring: Dress in layers and consider wearing a windbreaker, as the park’s proximity to the ocean can make it quite windy. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating the extensive grounds of the park. Also, bring a picnic mat so you can sit on the manicured lawns. There are tables and chairs in the park, but they get quickly occupied on busy days.
- Park Map: Upon arrival, grab a park map available at the entrance. This will help you navigate the large area and highlight spots you particularly want to visit.
- Cycling Rental: Consider renting a bicycle to cover more ground within the park. This is particularly useful if you plan to spend the whole day and want to explore the various areas comfortably.
- Join Bus Tours: Bus tours from Tokyo are available during blooming seasom. They offer limited time at the park but are often combined with other nearby attractions like Ashikaga Flower Park.
Hitachi Seaside Park Bus Tours 2024
Hitachi Seaside Park & Ami Outlets Tour from Tokyo
This excursion combines the natural beauty of the park with a shopping experience, allowing participants to indulge in some retail therapy at a popular local mall. The tour is designed to offer a relaxing and visually stunning day out, immersed in one of Japan’s picturesque landscapes.
Price: JPY 15,831/ USD 102.25
Departs from: Shinjuku
Hitachi Seaside Park, Oarai Shrine, & Mentai Park Tour from Tokyo
Discover the stunning landscapes of Ibaraki on this day tour from Tokyo to Hitachi Seaside Park, where you’ll be enveloped by a vibrant sea of nemophila flowers. The tour also includes a visit to the serene Oarai Shrine with its iconic sea torii gate, offering breathtaking coastal views. Culminate your experience with a trip to a mentaiko factory, where you can sample and take home some of the region’s famed spicy cod roe, all conveniently accessible via a direct bus service.
Price: JPY 11,475 / USD 74.15
Departure Point: Tokyo Mode Academy
Hitachi Seaside Park & Ashikaga Flower Park Tour from Tokyo
Embark on a breathtaking journey from Tokyo with this full-day tour, where you’ll explore Hitachi National Seaside Park’s expansive fields of vibrant blooms. The trip includes convenient round-trip transport and offers a choice between visiting Mito Kairakuen Park, one of Japan’s top three gardens, or Ashikaga Flower Park. Seasonal activities include pear picking at Ibaraki’s orchards during October and November, with a bonus Disney character item as a free giveaway.
Price: JPY 12,900 / USD 86.65
Departure Point: Shinjuku
How to Get to Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park (Hitachi Kaihin Koen, 国営ひたち海浜公園)
09:30 to 17:30
https://hitachikaihin.jp/
By Train
The most popular and convenient way to reach Hitachi Seaside Park for those traveling from Tokyo is by train. Visitors can board either the Hitachi/Tokiwa limited express train from Tokyo Station or the local train at JR Joban Line from Ueno Station and disembark at Katsuta Station. The ride typically takes about 90 minutes. From Katsuta Station, there is a dedicated bus service that takes an additional 15 minutes to reach the park. This bus departs regularly throughout the day and aligns well with train arrivals, ensuring a smooth transition from train to park.
By Car
Drivers should take the Joban Expressway directly to the Hitachinaka Interchange. From there, the park is just a short drive away. The park offers ample parking, making it convenient for visitors to access the grounds directly from their vehicles.
By Bus
For those who prefer direct travel without train transfers, there are express buses available from Tokyo to Hitachinaka. These highway buses leave from Tokyo Station and various other points in the city, providing a direct link to the park. The journey by bus can take around two to two and a half hours.
