Disclaimer: I am not sponsored for this post. I decided to visit Oarai because it looked interesting. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
- A quiet rural coastal town with more to see than you’d expect — a world-class aquarium, a stunning coastal torii, fresh seafood and an anime surprise
- Best for travellers who have already seen Tokyo and want to experience what rural coastal Japan actually looks like — not ideal for first-time Japan visitors
- Girls und Panzer fans — Oarai is essentially the home of the anime with stamp rally locations across five major spots in town
- Visit in April and combine with Hitachi Seaside Park in nearby Hitachinaka during nemophila season — one of the most beautiful sights in all of Ibaraki
- A car makes the day significantly easier — allows you to combine Aqua World, the shrine, the fish market and Hitachi Seaside Park without relying on buses
Early in 2026 I visited Oarai in Ibaraki and it was a little bit like finding a curly fry among your fries as it was an interesting surprise I did not expect. I first visited Oarai Marine Tower because it was an interesting looking tower in a random town.
From there I then realised that there were a couple of really interesting attractions in the area and an interesting anime surprise that was synchronous with the town.
Ōarai (大洗町, Ōarai-machi) is a small coastal town in Ibaraki and is just beside the Pacific Ocean. It is mainly known as a fishing and seafood town with fishing markets, ports, beaches and some attractions.
Anyway, I will let you know what my experience was like visiting Oarai and some things to do in Oarai and why you should consider visiting on your next trip to Japan.
⚠️ Safety Note: As Oarai is just beside the Pacific Ocean, please check for Tsunami warnings when visiting.
🗺️ Oarai — Quick Reference Guide
All attractions at a glance — click the name to read the full guide
| # | Attraction | Entry | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oarai Isosaki Shrine & Kamiiso no Torii | Free · 24hrs | Photos, shrine visit, sunrise Must Visit |
| 2 | Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium | From ¥2,300 | Families, marine life, sharks Shortlist |
| 3 | Oarai Marine Tower & Panzer Vor Cafe | From ¥200 | Views, anime fans Shortlist |
| 4 | Oarai Seaside Station & Garupan Gallery | Free entry | Girls und Panzer fans Fans Only |
| 5 | Nakaminato Fish Market | Free · ¥100 parking | Seafood lunch stop Shortlist |
| 6 | Mentai Park Oarai | Free entry | Food, factory tours, omiyage Shortlist |
| 7 | Hitachi Seaside Park ★ | From ¥460 | Nemophila season April Must Visit |
★ Hitachi Seaside Park is located in neighbouring Hitachinaka City — about 15 minutes drive from Oarai. Highly recommended if visiting the area in late April during nemophila season.
Photos on this page are mine, shot on an iPhone 11 pro. Nicer photos were shot by Tessa Leong were shot with a Sony a7IV with Tamron 28-200mm lens.
How to get to Oarai from Tokyo
To get to Oarai from Tokyo, you want to take the Hitachi Limited Express Iwaki to Mito Station (about 1hr 13 mins). From Mito Station take the Local Oarai line to Oarai Station (about 16 mins).
The total travel time is about 1hr 45mins and would cost you about ¥4420.
Oarai Day Trip Itinerary
A Day in Oarai
Things to Do in Oarai
#1 Oarai Isosaki Shrine & Kamiiso no Torii
Probably the most famous and unique looking place in Oarai is the Kamiiso no Torii. It is a Torii gate that is on some rocks and it is connected to the nearby Oarai Isosaki Shrine. It is a really unique image and is definitely a must visit if you come to Oarai.
If you are up for it, one of the beautiful pictures you can take of the torii is at sunrise when the sun is rising between the torii.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine is open 24 hours and is free of charge to enter.
Read our full guide to Oarai Isosaki Shrine & the Kamiiso no Torii including the best photo spots, sunrise tips, opening hours and how to get there.
#2 Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium
Aqua World Oarai is an aquarium in Oarai that has about 580 species, 68000 individual sea creatures housed in 60 aquarium tanks in a massive seven storey complex. It is also home to the biggest shark collection in Japan with about 50-60 species of sharks.
If you haven’t been to an aquarium in Japan before or have young children, Aqua World Oarai is a great place to visit and spend your afternoons there.
Aqua World Oarai is open from 9am to 5pm and tickets cost ¥2,300.
Read our full review of Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium including what’s inside all 60 tanks, the shark collection, ticket prices and tips for making the most of your visit.
#3 Oarai Marine Tower
Oarai Marine Tower is a 60 meter observation tower in Oarai. It is one of the town’s landmark structures and offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, Oarai City and some attractions inland such as Mount Tsukuba. Apparently on clear days you can even see Mount Fuji.
If you like looking at landscapes and taking photos, Oarai Marine Tower is a nice place for you to visit especially on clear days.
Oarai Marine Tower is open from 9am everyday and tickets cost ¥340 for adults.
Read our full review of Oarai Marine Tower including ticket prices, the best viewpoints, what you can see on a clear day and tips for visiting.
#4 Panzer Vor Cafe
Also in the Oarai Marine Tower is the Panzer Vor Cafe, an anime cafe themed around the Girls und Panzer Anime that is set in Oarai. They serve character themed food and drinks and is a must visit for fans of the anime. The cafe also has lots of fan art, fan collectibles and some gacha machines.
Read more about the Panzer Vor Cafe and the full Marine Tower experience in our Oarai Marine Tower visitor guide.
#5 Oarai Seaside Station & Garupan Gallery
Oarai Seaside Station is a shopping complex that as of 2026 is sadly a bit of a ghost town. The main stores there are the supermarkets, some specialty stores, restaurants, cafes and ABC Mart.
Probably the main and only attraction is Garupan Gallery, the official anime merchandise store for the Girls und Panzer anime. They sell all sorts of stuff and you can find it on their online store as well. They also have a mini museum with lots of fan art, memorabilia and collectibles from the anime and voice actors.
It is a must go for fans of the anime. But even if you are not a fan of the anime it’s still worth checking out the store. If not you most likely might stop here to get some groceries or food and drinks.
Read our full guide to Oarai Seaside Station & Garupan Gallery including what’s inside the gallery, the current shop situation and tips for fans and non-fans alike.
#6 Nakaminato Fish Market
Nakaminato Fish Market (那珂湊おさかな市場) is a popular seafood market with restaurants selling locally caught seafood. They sell things like sushi, sashimi, grilled fish, shellfish and more. They are known for their kaisen-don and we even got to try some on our visit.
It is definitely not as crowded as Tsukiji Market for example and is more of a rural seafood market place. If you are looking for that kind of rural Japanese seafood market experience, Nakaminato Fish Market is a good place to visit.
Nakaminato Fish Market is open as early as 7am and closes around 3-5pm.
Read our full review of Nakaminato Fish Market including what to eat, parking tips, opening hours and how it compares to Tsukiji Market.
#7 Mentai Park Oarai
One interesting place that I did not get the chance to go is Mentai Park Oarai. It is a theme park dedicated to mentaiko, a spicy seasoned cod roe. Inside there is a working factory where they also give tours, a shop that sells mentaiko and related omiyage, galleries, exhibits and a food court.
It must be really popular as I counted about seven tour buses parked outside the building. Definitely on my list the next time I come back to Oarai.
Girls und Panzer in Oarai
If you are a fan of Girls und Panzer anime then you already know about Oarai and it is definitely a must visit for someone like you. There is an on going stamp rally where you can collect Girls und Panzer stamps at various locations in Oarai. Currently the places I have found are:
- Oarai Seaside Station @ GUP Gallery
- Oarai Marine Tower
- Oarai Station
- Aqua World Oarai Aquarium
- Oarai Isosaki Shrine
There might be some at hotels or local shops but I have yet to see them personally yet.
Where to Eat in Oarai
Mentai Park Oarai (めんたいパーク大洗)
One interesting place that you can eat at is at the food court at Mentai Park Oarai. They sell freshly made mentaiko dishes like mentaiko rice, pasta and onigiri etc. It is definitely a fun and unique experience that I will be trying next time.
Girls und Panzer Café “Panzer Vor” (ガルパン喫茶 パンツァーフォー)
If you are a fan of the anime or want an anime cafe experience in rural Japan, you can try eating at the Panzer Vor Cafe. They have character themed food and drinks available. They also have lots of fan art and collectibles that adds to the immersion.
Nakaminato Fish Market (那珂湊おさかな市場)
If you are looking to try the local seafood, you can check out the restaurants at Nakaminato Fish Market. They sell all sorts of Japanese food but are known for their kaisen-don. There are also smaller food truck stores that sell seafood that you can try.
Hitachi Seaside Park
If you are visiting Oarai in April, you absolutely cannot miss the opportunity to see the nemophilas at Hitachi Seaside Park. It is really beautiful and magical just standing there looking at the hills full of blue flowers. It’s one of the few places where what you see with your eyes is far better than the marketing material.
For the full first-hand guide including ticket prices, parking tips, best photo spots and what to expect during nemophila season, read our complete Hitachi Seaside Park visitor guide.
Where to Stay Near Oarai
R9 The Yard Hotel Hitachinaka Ichige
There are quite a number of hotels near Oarai that you can choose from. But for me I stayed at the R9 The Yard Hotel Hitachinaka Ichige. They are a chain of container hotels that are quite affordable, clean, relatively new but really utilitarian.
It is about a 20 minute drive from Oarai and is fairly accessible to the attractions in the area.
Read our full review of Hotel R9 The Yard Hitachinaka Ichige including room details, nightly pricing and honest pros and cons from an 8 night stay.
Is an Oarai Day Trip from Tokyo Worth It?
If you are looking for a quiet rural Japanese seaside town experience, and want to see what Japan is like outside the big cities, Oarai is a nice place to visit. Japan gets over romanticized often with the nice social media posts and reels. If you have not seen these places outside Tokyo before you would be in for a lovely surprise.
There are also lots of things to do and see in this part of Ibaraki and it’s definitely worth it taking a trip to this part of Japan.
If you are on your first few trips to Japan and want to see all the main attractions, Oarai might not be for you right now. But be sure to shortlist it for another trip in the future.
FAQ – Things to do in Oarai
1) Is Oarai worth visiting as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes — rural coastal Japan outside the big cities. World-class aquarium, stunning coastal shrine, anime café & fresh seafood market. Not for first-timers chasing major landmarks, but genuinely rewarding if you’ve already seen Tokyo.
2) How do I get to Oarai from Tokyo?
Hitachi or Tokiwa Limited Express from Tokyo Station → Mito (~1hr 13min), then Local Oarai Line → Oarai (~16 min). Total ~1hr 45min · ¥4,420. Car recommended if visiting multiple spots including Nakaminato Fish Market & Hitachi Seaside Park.
3) How far is Oarai from Tokyo?
~130km northeast. ~1hr 45min by train, ~2 hours by car via the Joban Expressway (traffic dependent).
4) How long should I spend in Oarai?
Full day ideal — covers Kamiiso no Torii, Aqua World, Oarai Marine Tower & Nakaminato Fish Market comfortably. Combining with Hitachi Seaside Park needs a very full day or overnight stay.
5) What is Oarai famous for?
Three things: the iconic Kamiiso no Torii at Oarai Isosaki Shrine, Aqua World Oarai (Japan’s largest shark collection), and as the setting for the Girls und Panzer anime.
6) What is the Girls und Panzer stamp rally in Oarai?
Ongoing stamp rally at key spots: Oarai Seaside Station (Garupan Gallery), Oarai Marine Tower, Oarai Station, Aqua World & Oarai Isosaki Shrine. Extra stamps sometimes at local hotels & shops.
7) Is Oarai good for families with young children?
Yes — Aqua World is one of the best family aquariums in eastern Japan, Kamiiso no Torii is free & accessible, Nakaminato Fish Market is relaxed & fun. Quiet, uncrowded town makes getting around easy.
8) When is the best time to visit Oarai?
Year-round. Spring (April) especially good — combine with Hitachi Seaside Park’s nemophila season in late April for one of the best coastal Ibaraki day trips.
9) Is there parking in Oarai?
Yes — most attractions have free or low-cost parking. Nakaminato Fish Market is ¥100 for 4 hours. Car strongly recommended for hitting multiple spots in one day.
10) What is Mentai Park Oarai?
Theme park dedicated to mentaiko (spicy seasoned cod roe). Working factory with tours, shop, galleries & food court (mentaiko rice, pasta, onigiri). Popular with Japanese tour groups — worth adding if you have time.
Written by
Timothy Leong
Timothy is a Singapore-born, Japan-based digital marketer turned hidden-gem hunter. After ditching spreadsheets for Google Maps, he now lives full-time in Japan, chasing quiet towns, real ramen, and off-grid train routes. Every photo and tip on Nihon Travel Guide is 100% his — no AI, no fluff, no Tokyo Tower.
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