Visitors to Omitama can choose from a variety of experiences across the city, including temple culture, activities on the water and seasonal scenery. Options range from a monthly Zazen session to cycling along Lake Kasumigaura and views of Mount Tsukuba. The season matters when planning your visit, as temple events, bloom periods and sunsets each fall within different time windows.

Hōrinin: Zazen and a Cultural Property

A Zazen session is held at Hōrinin on the third Saturday of every month. In February and August, a sutra-copying session is offered instead of Zazen. Beginners are welcome; no reservation is required, and participation costs 500 yen. Before your visit, check the temple’s latest announcement for possible cancellations. Hōrinin’s gate is also a point of cultural and historical interest: built in 1715, it is designated a municipal cultural property.

Ōido Lakeside Park by the Water

Ōido Lakeside Park covers about 2.8 hectares. Its facilities include a walking path, an artificial hill, play equipment for young children, and fitness and health facilities. At the lake, you can walk, cycle and fish. Cyclists can take a break at the bike rack, benches and shelter. The park is located along the Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road, designated as a National Cycle Route. Facilities may change, so check their current status before your visit if needed.

Cycling Along Lake Kasumigaura

The road along the shore of Lake Kasumigaura serves as a cycling route, where you can ride with views across the lake. In spring, the lakeside cycling route passes blooming rapeseed flowers; in autumn, it passes cosmos flowers. The route also offers views of Mount Tsukuba. The seasons bring different scenery along the lake: rapeseed flowers shape the landscape in spring, while cosmos flowers do so in autumn.

Seasonal Sights: Flowers and Mount Tsukuba

At Diamond Tsukuba, the sun sets over the center of Mount Tsukuba. The phenomenon can be seen in the city of Omitama around mid-May and mid-July—twice a year—depending on viewing conditions. Near Shimotamari in Omitama, the sun sets between the mountain’s two peaks, turning the landscape crimson. This spectacle can also be seen twice a year, around mid-May and mid-July. Timing and weather affect visibility.

Yasuragi no Sato Ogawa is home to about 2,000 hydrangeas. Every year, many visitors from the city and beyond come during the hydrangea festival, held from June to early July; festival dates may vary from year to year. Yamayuri lilies usually bloom in early July, although the timing varies from year to year. As a seasonal guide, the hydrangea festival and the usual lily bloom fall between June and early July, while the sunsets over Mount Tsukuba can be seen around mid-May and mid-July.

Planes and a Factory Tour

At Ibaraki Airport, the observation deck on the terminal’s second floor offers views of passenger planes and Japan Self-Defense Forces aircraft taking off. Check the current access conditions before your visit.

On a tour of the Kagome Ibaraki Factory, you can see the production lines for Yasai Seikatsu 100 and Labre, learn more about Kagome’s history and sample vegetable juices at the end. Check the current availability of factory tours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kasama, Oarai, Hokota, Naka, Tsukuba, Hitachinaka, Mito, Jōsō

For the main travel overview: Ibaraki Prefecture.