A lone pine tree stands in the middle of a vast field of blooming baby blue nemophila under a bright blue sky.

Hitachinaka, Japan

Cruises to Hitachinaka

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Things to do in Hitachinaka

Hitachinaka, located in Ibaraki Prefecture along Japan's Pacific coast roughly 100 km north of Tokyo, is renowned for its vibrant and colorful landscapes, particularly at Hitachi Seaside Park, where spring brings a breathtaking display of over 4.5 million baby blue nemophila flowers, and autumn transforms the hills into a sea of crimson kochia bushes. You won’t want to miss the bustling Nakaminato Fish Market or one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.

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  • Crowds walk along a ridge overlooking a massive field of blooming baby blue nemophila under a sunny, cloud-dotted sky.

    Join the springtime rush as Hitachi Seaside Park explodes into a breathtaking blue bloom.

  • Traditional wooden buildings nestled among manicured trees and lush greenery at Kairakuen Garden under a partly cloudy sky.

    Stroll through serenity at Kairakuen, one of Japan’s most treasured landscape gardens.

  • Close-up of hands slicing raw tuna into sashimi pieces with a sharp knife on a cutting board.

    Watch precision meet tradition as fresh sashimi is expertly sliced for the perfect bite.

  • Visitors walk toward the massive bronze statue of Ushiku Daibutsu under a clear blue sky, surrounded by landscaped gardens.

    Stand in awe before the towering Ushiku Daibutsu, one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world.

  • Stand at Oarai Isosaki Shrine's seaside Kamiiso-no-Torii — the dramatic "gate at the beach of the gods" framed by crashing Pacific waves.

    Stand at Oarai Isosaki Shrine's seaside Kamiiso-no-Torii — the dramatic "gate at the beach of the gods" framed by crashing Pacific waves.

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Shore excursions to explore in Hitachinaka

With so much to see and do in Hitachinaka, Princess can make it easy. We’ll take you to local sites like the seaside park and to farther away must-see spots like Nikko.

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  • A blooming tree with pink flowers frames a traditional stone torii gate and arched bridge in a vibrant Japanese garden.

    Best of Ibaraki

    If you love gardens and flowers, look no further than Kairakuen Garden. We’ll take you to this wonder that’s considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in all of Japan. This garden is home to over 300 plum trees that bloom in the spring and paint the branches in pink. Right next door is Tokiwa Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of two prominent local lords from the nineteenth century.

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  • Ornately decorated golden gate at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, surrounded by traditional rooftops and tall evergreen trees.

    Word Heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine

    See one of the most beautiful and lavish shrines in all of Japan during this daytrip to nearby Nikko. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun who created a 250 year dynasty, and features more gold leaf and intricate carvings than the other shrines you’ll see in the country. There’s a reason it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see both Shinto and Buddhist elements including a five-story pagoda, elaborate wood carvings like the Sozonozo Elephants that were made by someone who hadn’t seen elephants and an enormous crying dragon painting.

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  • Visitors walk along winding paths through rolling hills blanketed in vivid red kochia under a bright blue sky.

    Highlights of Ibaraki

    Ready to walk through rolling hills of bright blue blossoms? That’s what happens when you visit Hitachi Seaside Park in the spring — around 4.5 million Nemophila flowers bloom in the park. If your cruise is later, no worries. The flower colors change with the season. Bringing the kids? There’s also a ferris wheel that gives you great views and a fun ride.

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  • Red cable car traveling over forested mountains near a station on Mt. Tsukuba, surrounded by dense green foliage.

    Ushiku Buddha and Mt. Tsukuba Ushiku Buddha and Mt. Tsukuba

    Get ready to feel small when you stand next to this monument in Japan: the Ushiku Buddha is one of the tallest bronze Buddha statues in the world! After you take in the sheer size of this statue, enjoy the Japanese gardens at its base and the Mt. Tsukuba Shrine. This particular shrine has been a place of worship in Japan for 3,000 years — and from there you can take a cable car up the mountain for unbelievable views that might include Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

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  • Historical Mito "Tokugawa"

    Historical Mito "Tokugawa"

    Ibaraki Prefecture, the area ruled by the Mito Tokugawa family, is celebrated on this fascinating adventure that pays tribute to this prominent branch of the Tokugawa clan. Your first stop is The Tokugawa Museum, built in 1977 and displaying more than 30,000 family heirlooms that showcase the family's cultural influence.

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  • Kasama Pottery and Kasama Inari Shrine

    Kasama Pottery and Kasama Inari Shrine

    A day of artistry and spirituality awaits on this delightful sojourn to the City of Kasama, famed for its distinctive pottery production and namesake shrine. Begin with a visit to the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and delve into the history of the unique local pottery that involves mixing several types of clay with pieces of granite.

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  • Easy Hitachinaka

    Easy Hitachinaka

    Settle in for a relaxed, easy day that includes some of Hitachinaka's top photo opportunities. Begin with a scenic drive through the Hitachi Seaside Park to the Oarai area, where you'll stop to photograph Oarai Isosaki Shrine, set dramatically overlooking the turbulent waters and protected by a torii gate, aptly named "Kamiiso-no-Torii," which translates to "gate at the beach of the gods."

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Experience the Hitachinaka port on your next cruise

From towering statues of the Buddha to rolling hills of millions of blossoms, the historical and natural beauty of Hitachinaka makes it a must-visit destination on your Japan cruise. Plus it’s a perfect gateway to the stunning Nikko shrine and nearby national park that draws visitors from all over the world. Princess cruises to Hitachinaka sail roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama) on Circle Japan and coastal itineraries paired with ports like Aomori, Hakodate and Kobe — with spring sailings (mid-April to early May) timed to peak Nemophila bloom and autumn departures (October) aligned to peak Kochia and fall foliage. The Hitachinaka area is only the start of what you can experience in Japan with Princess when you book a cruise.

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11-Day Circle Japan with Hakodate Minato Festival

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14-Day Grand Circle Japan with Fall Foliage

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14-Day Grand Circle Japan with Fall Foliage

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Discover the vibrant beauty of  Hitachinaka with Princess Cruises

Hitachinaka is full of color: from millions of flowers and stunning Japanese gardens to the painted wonder of the Nikko shrine. Make your trip to Japan colorful with a stop in Hitachinaka with Princess.

 

Cruises to Hitachinaka
Fields of blooming nemophila stretch toward a distant Ferris wheel, with walking paths winding through the flowers.

Follow dreamy trails through a sea of blue at Hitachi Seaside Park, where spring comes alive.

View through tall tree trunks of a Japanese temple with traditional curved roofline surrounded by bright red and orange autumn leaves in a forested setting.

A traditional Japanese temple roof peeks through towering forest trees, framed by vibrant autumn foliage in brilliant reds and oranges.

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A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.
Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.
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Cruises to Hitachinaka FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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