Must-Do’s in Chikusei: 10 Experiences for First-Timers

When most travelers think of Ibaraki Prefecture, they picture the sweeping views from Mt. Tsukuba or the dazzling gardens of Hitachi Seaside Park. Yet just a short train ride away from Tokyo lies Chikusei, a city that quietly combines rural charm, ancient heritage, and contemporary creativity. First-time visitors often arrive with little more than a day trip in mind and leave astonished that they’ve barely scratched the surface. Whether you’re planning a single overnight or an extended stay, the following ten experiences will help you uncover the city’s essence—its flavors, festivals, and friendly faces.

Before we dive in, consider brushing up on the local landscape with the articles on best neighborhoods to explore in Chikusei and the delightful hidden treasures in Chikusei. Together with this guide, they’ll give you a 360-degree view of what awaits.

1. Wander the Time-Capsule Streets of Shimodate

Shimodate Station is Chikusei’s primary gateway, and the moment you step outside you’ll notice echoes of a merchant town that once flourished on river trade. Low wooden facades, tiled roofs, and vintage shop signs transport you back a century.

What to Do
• Pop into the Old Sudo Bank, a Taishō-era red-brick landmark that now hosts rotating art exhibitions.
• Stop by a Kura (traditional warehouse) that has been repurposed into a café for a pour-over brewed with locally roasted beans.
• Track down the tiny Matsuda Pharmacy Museum, where antique scales and glass bottles line the shelves.

Traveler Tip
Shimodate is compact and best explored on foot or by rental bicycle (available just outside the station for about ¥500 per day). Aim for a morning visit; shop owners often close up by 5 p.m.

2. Bask Beneath the Blossoms in Sachiyama Park

If your travel calendar hovers around late March or early April, you’re in luck—Sachiyama Park erupts into a cloud of pink and white cherry blossoms. Even outside sakura season the park is lovely, but springtime elevates it to a fairytale.

Highlights
• A 5-kilometer loop trail leads you past ponds, maples, and the ruins of a small castle turret.
• Food stalls appear during the hanami period, offering sakura-themed dango and local craft beer.
• Visit after dark to see the “yozakura” illumination, when lanterns cast a soft glow through the petals.

Photography Tip
Arrive just after sunrise for near-empty paths and golden lighting—ideal for capturing both wide vistas and macro blossom shots.

3. Cycle the Kinu River Greenway

Chikusei sits along the Kinu River, Ibaraki’s longest waterway, and a dedicated cycling path stretches for dozens of kilometers. Even casual riders will find the terrain gentle and the scenery exhilarating.

Why It’s a Must
• The path threads through rice paddies where herons stand statue-still, then passes tiny Shinto shrines hidden in bamboo groves.
• You can pause at farm-stand vending machines—drop a few coins and receive fresh tomatoes or bags of sweet potatoes.
• Small detours lead to photogenic footbridges and the occasional riverside onsen.

Rental & Logistics
Bicycles are rentable near Shimodate Station, but seasoned cyclists might pack foldables on the JR Mito Line. Helmets aren’t legally required for adults in Japan, but it’s wise to bring or borrow one. Pack cash; many rural stalls do not accept cards.

4. Savor Sake Tradition at Tonoike Brewery

Tucked in a quiet neighborhood, the 1937-founded Tonoike Shuzō combines heritage and experimentation. The brewers still use wooden fermenting vats but aren’t afraid to age select batches in wine barrels.

Tour Highlights
• Start with a brief film (English subtitles) that outlines the brewer’s philosophy.
• Walk the cedar-scented corridors where kōji spores float in the air.
• End with a multi-flight tasting—from crisp junmai daiginjō to a silky nigori.

Traveler Tip
Designated drivers get free tea, but if you arrived on foot or bicycle you can sample to your heart’s content. Bottles under 500 ml fit easily in a daypack and make ideal souvenirs. Remember, Japan has zero-tolerance laws for drinking and driving.

5. Try Your Hand at Kasama-yaki Pottery Workshops

Though Kasama City is technically next door, its pottery culture spills seamlessly into Chikusei thanks to shared clay deposits and artisan exchanges. Multiple studios in the northern districts offer half-day workshops where beginners can sculpt bowls, mugs, or sake cups.

What to Expect
• A bilingual instructor guides you through kneading, centering, and wheel throwing.
• Choose a traditional ash glaze or more modern turquoise blues.
• Finished pieces are fired and shipped overseas (fees apply); domestic addresses receive them in about three weeks.

Budget & Timing
Classes run between ¥3,000 and ¥6,000, including materials. Wear clothes you don’t mind splattering with slip; aprons are provided, but clay has a way of finding elbows and knees.

6. Feast at the Sunday Morning Produce Market

Every Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon, local farmers line the parking lot near Chikusei City Hall. It’s less touristic than Tsukiji or Nishiki, meaning you can chat freely with growers and snag bargain prices.

Must-Try Items
• Ibaraki Melons—in season late spring through summer, famed for honeyed sweetness.
• Shiitake “Donko” Mushrooms—thick-capped and perfect for grilling.
• “Natagiri” Soba Flour—ideal for making rustic buckwheat noodles at your Airbnb.

Snack Tip
Look for the stand selling yuba mochi—tofu-skin wrapped around sticky rice, brushed with sweet soy. It disappears by 9 a.m., so arrive early.

7. Revel in the Chikusei Summer Festival

Held the first weekend of August, this festival is equal parts devotion and revelry. Streets around Shimodate Station shut down for two nights of food stalls, fireworks, and traditional performances.

Festival Features
• Yagura Odori: Locals and visitors circle a raised stage, copying dance steps to taiko drumbeats.
• Portable Shrines (Mikoshi): Carried by teams in matching happi coats, the shrines bob along avenues under paper lantern light.
• A 3000-shot firework display closes the festivities—find a spot along the Kinu River for an unobstructed panorama.

Traveler Etiquette
Join the Yagura dance lines; organizers provide paper fans with simplified choreography. Don’t fret about missteps—participation is considered an offering of goodwill.

8. Time-Travel at Torazuka Kofun & Archeological Museum

Chikusei claims a cluster of kofun, key-shaped burial mounds from the 4th to 7th centuries. Torazuka is the most excavated, revealing haniwa clay figures and gilt bronze armor. A small on-site museum contextualizes the finds.

Why It’s Fascinating
• A life-size diorama reconstructs how the mound looked upon completion, complete with earthen tiers and guardian statues.
• Interactive screens let you rotate 3D scans of fragile artifacts you can’t otherwise touch.
• A forget-me-not blue mosaic replicates the original wall plaster inside the stone chamber.

Practicalities
Take the community bus from Shimodate Station (20 minutes). The museum is closed Mondays; entry is ¥300, free for children under 12. Bring a hat—open lawn areas lack shade.

9. Pick Your Own Fruit in the Yawara Highlands

Chikusei’s mild microclimate makes its orchards prolific. Beginning in June you can harvest blueberries; July and August deliver juicy peaches; late September through November brings apples and pears.

How It Works
• Most orchards offer all-you-can-eat for 30-60 minutes (¥800-¥1,500).
• Pay an extra ¥400-¥600 per kilogram to take fruit home.
• Staff supply baskets and shears, and some provide gloves and sun hats.

Packing Tip
Use a collapsible cooler bag if you plan to continue sightseeing. Highway rest stops sell inexpensive ice packs.

10. Soak & Savor at Kinsenkan Onsen Ryokan

After several active days your muscles will crave a hot-spring soak. Kinsenkan, a family-run ryokan on Chikusei’s rural outskirts, pipes a sodium-chloride spring into hinoki cypress tubs. The mineral-rich water leaves skin velvety and eases joint stiffness.

What to Love
• Private Bath Option: Rentable for 50 minutes—perfect for tattooed travelers wary of public sentō etiquette.
• Kaiseki Dinner: Multi-course feast showcases river fish, pickled ginkgo nuts, and local wagyu.
• Futon Serenity: Forget hotel mattresses; the thick futon atop tatami feels like sleeping on a marshmallow cloud.

Onsen Etiquette Crash Course
• Wash thoroughly at a shower station before entering the communal bath.
• Towels stay poolside; no dipping!
• Hydrate afterward—tea, water, or the ryokan’s house-made yuzu soda.

Conclusion

Chikusei proves that the most memorable journeys in Japan often happen between the famous landmarks. Here, you’ll cycle past sleepy shrines, share street-dance circles with strangers, and sample sake whose flavor reflects the mineral fingerprints of local springs. The city rewards curiosity: turn down an unmarked alley and you might find a century-old warehouse reborn as an art gallery; linger at a vegetable stall and you’ll hear a farmer’s story that bridges generations. Combine these must-do experiences with the insights from best neighborhoods to explore in Chikusei and the hidden treasures in Chikusei, and you’ll arrive not just prepared, but inspired. Pack an open mind, a hearty appetite, and plenty of camera storage—Chikusei is ready to surprise you at every turn.