Hitachinaka Cruise Pier → Hitachi Seaside Park
Take a taxi at the stand in front of the pier terminal to the west entrance (Nishiguchi) or south entrance of Hitachi Seaside Park.
Cruise port in Japan
Hitachinaka
Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 9 hours. 23 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 5 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 33 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 9 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 1,542
Photo: Image by hydroxyquinol from Pixabay
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Hitachinaka Port Central Pier C and D Quays. Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Hitachinaka Port Central Pier C and D Quays.
- Shuttle and Transport from Ibaraki Port Hitachinaka District Pier
Pedestrian access to and from the central pier where cruise ships berth is restricted. Take a cruise line shuttle bus or taxi to Hitachi Seaside Park or JR Katsuta Station.
- Seasonal Highlights of Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a signature Japanese flower destination, with blue nemophila on Miharashi Hill in spring (April–May) and red kochia in autumn (October).
- JR Joban Line to Mito
From JR Katsuta Station, the Joban Line reaches Mito Station in just 5–6 minutes. Mito is home to Kairakuen and historic sites of the Mito Domain.
About 9 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Hitachinaka city centreAbout 10 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 8 hr 30 min
- MitoAbout 35 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 7 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Hitachinaka Cruise Pier → JR Katsuta Station East Exit
On port days, take the shuttle operating in front of the terminal and get off at the east exit of JR Katsuta Station, a rail transfer hub.
JR Katsuta Station → JR Mito Station
At platform 2 of JR Katsuta Station, take a Joban Line train toward Mito or Ueno and get off at the next stop, Mito Station.
JR Mito Station North Exit → Kairaku-en Garden
At bus stop 4 at the north exit of JR Mito Station, take a Kanto Railway or Ibaraki Kotsu route bus toward Kairakuen.
Hitachinaka places to explore
Explore 16 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Hitachi Seaside Park
One of Japan's premier national seaside parks, covering about 200 hectares, with spectacular fields of blue nemophila in spring and crimson kochia hills in autumn.
- Visit
- about 2 hr
- Admission
- JPY 450~JPY 800
Special seasonal fares apply at the spring nemophila and autumn kochia peaks; rental bicycles and the Seaside Train loop are convenient ways to get around.
Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium
A large aquarium keeping more than 50 shark species, the most in Japan, with one of Japan's largest dedicated sunfish tanks and a dolphin show against a Pacific backdrop.
- Visit
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Admission
- JPY 2,300
Check the performance times for the Ocean Live dolphin and sea lion shows when you enter.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine
A historic coastal shrine famous for the Kamiiso Torii, a white torii gate standing on rocks amid crashing Pacific waves.
- Visit
- about 50 min
- Admission
- Free
There are steep steps down from the main shrine to the rocky beach torii gate, so take care.
Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine
A mysterious coastal shrine where a 300-meter approach is enclosed in a green tunnel by a forest of camellia and Japanese bay trees more than 300 years old.
- Visit
- about 40 min
- Admission
- Free
You can view the sea at the end of a tree tunnel designated as a natural monument.
Oarai Marine Tower
A 60 m triangular-section observation tower rising over Oarai Beach, with panoramic views of the Pacific horizon and Oarai Port from its 3rd-floor observation room.
- Visit
- about 40 min
- Admission
- JPY 340
The first floor has a tourist information center and a section for Ibaraki specialties.
Hoshiimo Shrine
A distinctive shrine honoring Ibaraki's dried sweet potato (hoshiimo) specialty, with golden torii gates in a row and a name meaning wishes come true.
- Visit
- about 30 min
- Admission
- Free
It is a good place to take photos in front of the golden torii, and you can buy dried sweet potatoes (hoshi-imo) in the grounds.
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Mito
About 35 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr 30 min
SightsKairaku-en GardenOne of Japan's Three Great Gardens, created by 9th Mito-domain lord Tokugawa Nariaki so that the people and lord could enjoy it together, with about 3,000 plum trees, bamboo groves, and Kōbuntei.
You must remove your shoes to visit Kobuntei, a wooden building in the garden, and there is a separate admission fee of ¥200.
SightsTokiwa ShrineA major Mito shrine beside Kairakuen, enshrining Tokugawa Mitsukuni, familiar as Mito Kōmon, and Tokugawa Nariaki.
The historical museum 義烈館 is also located in the grounds.
SightsKodokanJapan's largest domain school, founded by Tokugawa Nariaki in 1841, where Confucianism, medicine, and military training were taught; a Special Historic Site.
Very easy to reach, an 8-minute walk from the north exit of Mito Station.
Food and cafésGanso Ankou-nabe SansuiThe original restaurant for Ibaraki's traditional monkfish hot pot, ankō nabe, simmering monkfish and cartilage in a special broth with roasted miso and monkfish liver; also known for handmade natto fritters.
There is a break from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
SightsSenba LakeA lake south of Kairakuen, where black and white swans gather along a 3 km walking path and a fountain adds to the scenery.
You can ride a swan boat from the lakeside rental station or take a walk on the flat lakeshore path.
ShoppingTengu Natto HontenA historic original natto shop founded in 1910, which established Mito natto's reputation using the traditional method of naturally fermenting soybeans in rice straw.
It sells traditional natto wrapped in rice straw, natto snacks, and products in insulated packaging.
Food and cafésKobuntei Raku CafeA traditional tea café in the grounds of Kairakuen, in front of Kōbuntei, where you can enjoy plum-syrup soft serve and a matcha set overlooking the plum grove and Lake Senba.
A pleasant place to relax on an outdoor garden bench overlooking the lake.
Cruises calling at Hitachinaka
33 sailings are grouped into 29 cruises by ship and route.
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.03Asia cruises · 24 nights · Long cruise
Grand Circle Japan Cherry Blossoms
Yokohama departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 4,109
Princess Cruises2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2027.04 ~ 2028.04Asia cruises · 12 nights · Long cruise
Circle Japan Cherry Blossoms
Yokohama departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 2,017
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.04Asia cruises · 21 nights · Long cruise
Grand Circle Japan Cherry Blossoms
Yokohama departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 4,512
Regent Seven Seas CruisesSailing 2027.05Asia cruises · 19 nights · Long cruise
Epic Pacific Passage
Tokyo → Vancouver, British Columbia
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 19,499
Princess CruisesSailing 2027.07Asia cruises · 18 nights · Long cruise
Grand Circle Japan with Hakodate Minato Festival
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.07Asia cruises · 22 nights · Long cruise
Grand Circle Japan with Summer Festivals
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,189
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.07Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Circle Japan with Hakodate Minato Festival
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 1,542
Holland America LineSailing 2027.09Asia cruises · 27 nights · Long cruise
27-Day North Pacific Crossing & Circle Japan
Seattle, Washington → Tokyo
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 6,104
Holland America Line2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2027.09 ~ 2028.03Asia cruises · 28 nights · Long cruise
28-Day Circle Japan
Tokyo departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 7,094
Holland America Line2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2027.09 ~ 2028.03Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
14-Day Circle Japan
Tokyo departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 3,829
Regent Seven Seas CruisesSailing 2027.10Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Miyako Mystique
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 10,799
Princess CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.10Asia cruises · 24 nights · Long cruise
Ultimate Circle Japan with Fall Foliage
Yokohama departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 5,919
29 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Hitachinaka
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Princess Cruises · 12 sailings
Diamond Princess
7 cabin types · 17 dining venues · 27 entertainment options · 13 decks
Explore the ship
Princess Cruises · 9 sailings
Sapphire Princess
7 cabin types · 15 dining venues · 23 entertainment options · 13 decks
Explore the ship
Holland America Line · 6 sailings
Noordam
9 cabin types · 6 dining venues · 18 entertainment options · 11 decks
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises · 4 sailings
Seven Seas Explorer
10 cabin types · 10 dining venues · 41 entertainment options · 10 decks
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About Hitachinaka
Regent Seven Seas Cruises calls at Hitachinaka, with an average port stay of about 10 hours. The port is a stop on the same route linking Tokyo and Sendai.
Cruise lines calling here: 3 places
Holland America LinePrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises
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