Oarai Area大洗エリア
Ibaraki茨城県
The shallow beach surrounded by numerous reefs. Dolphin watching is another enjoyment in this delightful beach resort.
Oarai Town is situated in the east of Ibaraki. The seashores facing the Pacific Ocean, Lake Hinuma-ko located on the back of the town, and areas along the Hinuma-gawa River form popular resort areas, belonging to Oarai Prefectural Park. The white-crested waves breaking against the conglomerate rocks on Oarai Promontory are very dynamic, from which the sandy beach stretches southward. This beach is known as one of the pleasantest sea bathing resorts in Kanto Region.
With golf courses, campsites, and yacht basins spotted along the seaside, both Oarai Beach, surrounded by reefs, and Oarai Sun Beach, boasting its shallow beach, are crowded with lots of swimmers in the mid summer. The surfing race and beach volleyball games are often held. The high-speed pleasure boat for watching dolphins is available from Oarai Harbor, and you can enjoy a wonderful cruise.
In Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium, they keep 15,000 aquatic animals consisting of about 350 different species, and you can enjoy watching shows by sea lions and dolphins, and also watching a "feeding" show. In the Oarai Marine Tower, as tall as 60 meters, you can enjoy your meals while enjoying a splendid view at the restaurant 50 meters above the ground.
On a hill commanding a fine view of Oarai Promontory, surrounded by Japanese black pines and chinquapin trees, there stands Oarai Isosaki-jinja Shrine. This shrine is known as a guardian deity of safe voyages. In the precincts of the shrine, Oarai Sea Museum stands, which was built in commemoration of the 1100th anniversary of the shrine founding.
Directions
From Tokyo :
[Rail] Mito Station is 1 hour 5 minutes from Ueno Station by the JR Joban Line. Then take the Kashima Rinkai Railway from Mito Station to Oarai, which takes 15 minutes. From Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station, it takes 2 hours 30 minutes by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Then take the JR Yamanote Line from Tokyo Station to Ueno Station, which takes 7 minutes.
