You can go on a day trip from Tokyo! Fukuroda Falls Icefall Tour|Recommended Scenic Spots in Ibaraki in Winter

*This article was created for travelers planning to visit Japan, but readers in Japan may also find it useful.

With a height of about 120 meters and a width of about 73 meters, the scale is large, and it is characterized by a dynamic landscape flowing down the Fukuroda Falls rock face. One of the most iconic scenery of winter Fukuroda Falls is the "icefall," where the entire waterfall freezes.
As the severe cold continues, the water freezes on the way down, revealing a huge ice formation that becomes one with the rock face. The sculptures created by nature are a spectacular view that can only be seen in the harsh winter months.

Icefalls are not always seen, and appear only when conditions such as temperature and weather are right, which is a special phenomenon unique to winter. Its power and mystery attract many people.
From the "1st Observation Deck", you can see the frozen waterfall up close, and from the "2nd Observation Deck", which is reached by taking an elevator about 50 meters high, you can enjoy a full view of the waterfall.
Combined with the clear winter air, the icefall offers a fantastic atmosphere surrounded by tranquility.
As a once-in-a-lifetime scenery created by natural conditions, it has become a popular spot in Kita-Ibaraki in winter.

The icefall season in Fukuroda Falls is usually the harsh winter season from late Dec. ~ Feb..
In the past, waterfalls that were completely frozen in winter were seen, but in recent years, due to the effects of global warming, complete icefalls have rarely appeared. However, even if it is about 50% frozen, you can see a different expression from other seasons, and you will be surprised at its overwhelming beauty.
The recommended time to see the icefall is
(1) Late Jan. ~ Feb. Early morning when the temperature is low
(2) A day when the two conditions are combined: a day when it did not rain the day before.
As the sun rises and gets warmer, the ice melts, so the best time to do so is early in the morning. Also, the more water you have, the less likely it is for the waterfall to freeze. Immediately after it rains, you can see a powerful waterfall with a lot of water, but the probability of seeing an icefall decreases.

Access
From Tokyo, take a train (limited express or local train) to "Mito Station".
Transfer to the "JR Mizugun Line" and get off at "Fukuroda Station" nearest to Fukuroda Falls.
From there, you can access it by Ibaraki Kotsu route bus or taxi.
If you are going by car, go from the Tokyo direction, go to Misato IC, get off at the Joban Expressway "Naka IC", and then take National Route 118 north towards Daiko.

Notes
Fukuroda Falls The surrounding area often freezes the road surface in winter, so it is essential to install studless tires when visiting by car.
Also, if you access by train, Fukuroda Station is an unmanned station and outside the IC card compatible area, so transportation IC cards such as Suica cannot be used. Mito You need to buy a round-trip ticket in advance at the station. Both trains and buses are few, so be sure to check the timetable in advance.
If you want to reduce the hassle of traveling, we recommend using a tour.

In Ogo Town, which has a Fukuroda Falls, the minimum temperature in winter often reaches below freezing. The temperature remains low and cold during the day, so it is essential to take measures to protect against the cold.
The walking course takes about 1 hour per lap. For long walks outdoors, prepare the following cold weather goods.
■Thick coat and down
■Mufflers, gloves, knit hats
■Disposable hand warmers
■Thick socks

Kita-Ibaraki is about 3 hours by bus from Tokyo. Fukuroda Falls and other famous places are scattered in the mountains, so it may be a bit difficult to get there on your own.
In that respect, you don't have to worry about transportation on a day bus tour. It is attractive that it is easy to take you to your destination just by taking the bus. It has the advantage of being able to easily enjoy your trip without having to worry about moving in an unfamiliar land.

One of the joys of traveling is the unique flavors of each region.
On this tour, you will be taken to famous restaurants serving local cuisine that you should definitely try when visiting the area, without having to wait in line.
Another attraction is the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy local gourmet dishes that make the most of the quality of the ingredients, such as the fragrant and smooth Hitachi Aki Soba and monkfish hotpot, a local dish that represents Kitaibaraki.

In addition to sightseeing in Fukuroda Falls, the tour is unique to allowing you to experience the diverse charms of the region in one day, such as meals that make the most of local ingredients, tasting sake at a long-established sake brewery, and art exhibitions.
Experiences such as interaction with local people that are hard to encounter on individual travel await.
The sense of fulfillment that combines sightseeing, gourmet food, and experience is the reason why it is popular with many participants.

It's convenient because all admission fees are included in the set, so you don't have to pay for each individually.
The great thing about group tours is that all transportation and reservations are taken care of for you.
Even those who are unfamiliar with the area or are worried about communicating in Japanese can participate with confidence.
A tour guide will accompany you on the day and provide detailed explanations of the itinerary and highlights. If you have any questions, you can always ask for help. Another great feature is that even if you buy a lot of souvenirs, you can leave them on the bus, allowing you to travel light while sightseeing.

Kita-Ibaraki in winter, which is difficult to visit on your own, can be easily enjoyed with a day bus tour. Enjoy Kita-Ibaraki in winter throughout the day, including viewing the Fukuroda Falls icefall, tasting experiences at sake breweries, and eating local cuisine. You can experience the charm of Japan that is different from urban areas. This time, I will report on how I actually participated in the tour.

[Tour name]
" Fukuroda Falls Icefall & teamLab Specialty Hitachi Autumn Soba & Anko Nabe Gourmet Zanmai in Kita-Ibaraki, the birthplace of Anko Nabe" [Ueno Departure]

【Itinerary】
● Ueno Meet at the station
●Tasting of sake and plum wine at the brewery and Okabe joint name
●Lunch of Hitachi autumn soba
● Fukuroda Falls Watching the icefall with a volunteer guide
●Anko course dinner including anko hot pot
●Watch art projects using nature at teamLab Yuya Hidden Field Ruins
● Ueno Return to the station

The first place we visited was the sake brewery Okabe Gonai. Founded in 1875, this long-established brewery has been making sake with deep roots in the local community for over 150 years. As part of this tour, we were also given a special tasting experience. Before the tasting, the chairman of Okabe Gonai gave an explanation about sake brewing. Sake is a delicate product, with flavor greatly influenced by temperature and the quality of the rice. He said, "If you cut corners, the quality will quickly deteriorate," and "The more effort you put in, the better the sake will be." Learning about the uncompromising approach to sake brewing every day made us look forward to the next cup we were about to taste.

This time, we sampled four of Okabe Gomei's proud sakes: "Matsumori," "Matsumori Arabashiri," "Umeshu," and "Brown Sugar Umeshu." "Matsumori," a popular brand that represents the brewery, is gentle on the palate with just the right amount of sharpness, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the rice.
The plum wine and brown sugar plum wine, with their refreshing sweetness similar to that of plum juice, were especially popular with women. After enjoying the taste comparison, many people were seen buying their favorite brands as souvenirs.

In the main "Fukuroda Falls" of this tour, the guide of Ogo Town specially accompanied him and explained the history and highlights of Fukuroda Falls in detail.
After passing through the tunnel, we first went to the first viewing spot, the "First Waterfall Observation Deck". A spectacular sight spread out in the field of vision, and the participants expressed their admiration. The distance from the basin is only 10 meters, and you can see the art of ice created by nature up close.
If you want to take a full view of the large waterfall, we recommend the "2nd Viewing Platform" where you can see the full view of the waterfall from the deck. It is located at the end of the elevator to a height of about 50 meters, and you can see the entire waterfall from a high place. In terms of distance and power from the waterfall, the first viewing platform is the first waterfall deck, but this is the only place where you can overlook the flow of all four stages.
On the day of the tour, the temperature was low during the day, and the icefall was frozen by 6-70%.
At the two viewing platforms, I enjoyed the waterfall from various angles.

This tour includes both lunch and dinner, allowing you to fully enjoy two of Ibaraki's most representative flavors. For lunch, we had the local dish, Hitachi Aki Soba and Tempura.
Stone-ground soba noodles have just the right amount of elasticity, and the more you chew them, the more the original aroma and flavor of the buckwheat flour spreads. A unique feature of Ibaraki, rare throughout Japan, is that they are eaten by dipping them in warm "kenchinjiru" soup containing root vegetables and mushrooms. This bowl embodies the wisdom born in this cold region. The soy sauce-based kenchinjiru is simple yet deeply flavorful, warming the body from the inside out. This local dish naturally made you realize that the flavor has been nurtured in harmony with the local climate and lifestyle.

For dinner, we had the long-awaited "anko nabe". It is a winter local dish that represents northern Ibaraki, using all the deep-sea fish kianko. It is only available for a limited time of 11~ Feb..
Due to its unique appearance, anko was once considered a low-value fish. It is said that when fishermen began to eat it as a hot pot dish to warm their bodies on boats, its deep flavor became known, and it gradually became popular as a winter delicacy.

The meat stewed in a miso-based soup has little fat and a soft and light flavor. There is no odor due to careful preparation, and you can enjoy a different texture for each part. Among them, the collagen-rich "skin" has a pleasant plump texture, and the "red bean paste", which is known as a high-quality ingredient, is rich and goes well with miso. Anko hot pot with various flavors and textures overlapping in one pot. It was a dish that could only be found in Kita-Ibaraki in the cold season, allowing you to fully enjoy the blessings of the land.

● Tokyo Those who want to enjoy the charm of the countryside on a day trip during their stay
Ueno You can experience nature, food, culture, and art in one day.
●People who want to go sightseeing without the hassle of travel and reservations
Transportation, meals, and sightseeing are all included, so you can rest assured even if you are in the area for the first time.
●People who want to enjoy the spectacular scenery and gourmet food of Japan unique to winter
Fukuroda Falls icefall viewing, seasonal anko hot pot, and other charms unique to this season.
●People who are interested in local food culture, such as sake and local cuisine
There are plenty of food experiences unique to the region, such as tasting at a long-established sake brewery and sweet pot tasting in the birthplace of the region.
●People who want to enjoy both natural landscapes and contemporary art
From the powerful scenery of the icefall to the fantastic art by teamLab, you can experience a wide range of experiences all at once.

One of Japan's three waterfalls, Fukuroda Falls.
As mentioned above, the icefall in winter is spectacular, but from autumn to winter, the illumination event "Daiko Laijin-Daigo Light" is also held.
During the event period, in the middle of the Nov. ~ Jan. every year, the Fukuroda Falls and the waterfall tunnel will be lit up. After sunset, the Fukuroda Falls is illuminated with white light, offering a majestic view of a clear stream emerging in the dark night. At the "1st Observation Deck", you can see a powerful view of the waterfall spreading out in front of you, and at the "2nd Observation Deck", you can see the full view of the illumination. In addition, the illumination of the tunnel is beautiful even during the day, and the theme changes every year, so you will never get tired of seeing it no matter how many times you go to see it. The art of nature and light is a spectacular view that touches the hearts of those who see it.

Tsuchiura "Kasumigaura General Park" overlooking the city of Kasumigaura. The park is rich in nature with beautiful tulips in spring and autumn leaves, but in the winter season of late Nov. ~ mid-Jan. every year, many tourists come to see the "Art of Light" Mizugo Cherry Blossom Illumination.
Centered on a Dutch-style windmill with a height of 25 meters and a blade diameter of 20 meters, the park will be decorated with original illuminations featuring Tsuchiura local resources such as cherry blossoms, fireworks, and lotus fields. There are also food truck stalls, so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere.

"Kawachi Illumination" held at the "Water and Green Contact Park" in Kawachi Town, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Using approximately 500,000 LED lights, one of the largest in Ibaraki Prefecture, colorful illuminations that express the four seasons of Kawachi Town will color the park.
The highlight is the "upside-down illumination" reflected on the water surface of the Fudo Mask Marsh standing in the center of the park. It looks great no matter where you take a 360-degree photo, so it has become a hot spot in recent years.
It is usually held from early Nov. ~ mid-Feb., and it is a great event that can be enjoyed for a long time.

The symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture, Mt. Tsukuba, is a famous peak that is called "Fuji of the West".
Since ancient times, the mountain itself has been revered as a "sacred area".
The best spot to see the magnificent scenery of the Mt. Tsukuba is the Hamojima Reservoir in Chikusai City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
You can see "Diamond Tsukuba" with the sun overlapping on the top of the mountain and shining like a jewel.
You have a chance to see "Diamond Tsukuba" twice a year. It is usually around Oct. 28th and Feb. 14th in the early morning and sunrise. If you're lucky enough to have clear skies and no wind, you may be able to see the "Double Diamond Tsukuba" with Diamond Tsukuba reflected on the surface of the water!

Every year from late Nov. ~ early Apr., swans fly to various places in Ibaraki Prefecture for wintering.
Among the several swan viewing spots, the one that is especially loved by photographers is the Kotoku Marsh in Naka City. Depending on the time of year, you can watch about 150~200 swans resting their wings and swimming gracefully up close.
If you're lucky, you'll see a powerful scene where they take off all at once, so why not take a walk with your camera in hand?

"Hitachi Seaside Park" in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a park where beautiful flowers bloom all year round.
Nemophila in spring and kochia in autumn are famous, but winter is the best season when "ice tulips" bloom.
Iced tulips are tulips that have been subjected to a special refrigeration treatment on the bulbs. Where they usually bloom in spring, ice tulips bloom in the middle of winter, from late Dec. to early Jan..
The biggest feature is that it grows in a low temperature environment, so you can enjoy its beautiful appearance for a long time of about one month.

Kairakuen Garden, a famous plum blossom spot that heralds spring in Ibaraki as soon as possible. It is a famous place with a vast site, which is counted as one of the "Three Three Gardens of Japan". Approximately 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties are planted in the park, and the flowering time varies depending on the variety, so you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a long time.
The best season is from mid-Feb. to mid-Mar.. During this period, the "Mito Plum Festival" is held every year. Various events and the illumination of the plum grove at night are also a must-see.

Related tour examples
・A tour to enjoy the winter flavors that can only be found in Ibaraki
・A tour to see the spectacular winter scenery and ice falls

Questions about meeting and departure
Q: How can I confirm the meeting place and time after booking?
A: After making a reservation, you can check the "meeting place", "meeting time" and "emergency contact" on My Page. Before departure, you can also see the "travel bookmark" online.

About luggage
Q: Can I bring my suitcase to participate?
A: If you are traveling by bus, we have space for luggage, so you can bring your suitcase. However, please limit yourself to two large suitcases per person.

Language support
Q: Can I participate even if I don't speak Japanese?
A: Yes, you can. The tour is operated in Japanese, but important information is available in English and Chinese (Traditional) using AI translation equipment and written information. Tour conductors and drivers also use translation apps, so there is no need to worry about the language.

About payment
Q: What is the payment method? What is the currency?
A: Payment is made online in Japan yen (credit card). The exchange rate is subject to the rules of the credit card company. Instant payment is required at the time of booking.

About local support
Q: Do you have physical stores in Taiwan or overseas?
A: In Taiwan, KNT Taiwan is the sole distributor of Club Tourism. For on-site consultations, please contact KNT Taiwan.

For passengers in Taiwan, please contact "Taiwan General Agent, Taiwan Kansai International Travel Agency"
Online Registration https://www.knt-taiwan.com/contact.php
Call to register 02-87717551 (Mon~Fri 09:15~18:00 (excluding holidays))
Email info@knt-taiwan.com

Ibaraki in winter is full of seasonal attractions, such as the spectacular scenery created by nature and local cuisine rooted in the land. If you also want to enjoy experiences such as sake tasting at a brewery and art appreciation all at once, we recommend a day bus tour. You can efficiently enjoy Ibaraki's highlights without having to worry about transportation or arrangements. In addition to the tours introduced here, there are many other plans available, so please choose one that suits your travel style.