Oarai Shore and Naka River area
This is a historic relaxation area that has been a symbol of Oarai since the establishment of Oarai Isosaki Yakushi Bosatsu Myojin, which appeared in the Heian period Nihon Montoku Tenno Jitsuroku. The area has a layered culture of faith, fishing, relaxation, and tourism on a pristine shore with a rich ecosystem through which the clear waters of the Naka River flow.(Learn more)
The Oarai shore and Naka River area is the Oarai Plateau, which is 20 to 30 meters above sea level and is covered with sand dunes and forests of black pine trees.
The Oarai Stratum, which forms the base of the Oarai Plateau, is a conglomerate bedrock that was formed during the Cenozoic period at a maximum depth of about 1,000 meters. The exposed Oarai Stratum lines the shore as a reef. The rough waves washing against the large and small reefs along the 1.8 kilometer-long shoreline from north to south are a simple and graceful sight to see.
These reefs are now carefully preserved as Meisho Oarai, a cultural asset of Oarai Town.
These reefs are supplied with abundant minerals from the Naka River, which originates at the foot of Mt. Nasu, flows through Tochigi and Ibaraki Prefecture, and empties into the Pacific Ocean from Oarai.
The Naka River basin has been a rich granary since ancient times, and Hitachinokuni has described its fertility as “Tokoyonokuni.” Whenever there is heavy rainfall in the Naka River basin, the sea surface near the Oarai Shore turns a muddy color. This nourishes a diverse array of seaweed, creating a biotope-like environment that is a habitat for marine life.
For this reason, there have been algae harvesting and free diving fisheries since ancient times. The Oarai Shore coexists with the life of the local community as a sea where life grows and blessings abound.
The name of the town, "Oarai," is derived from the Heian period document Nihon Montoku Tenno Jitsuroku. Inside the document, there is a record that Oarai Isosaki Bosatsu Myojin (now Oarai Isosaki Shrine) was founded in 856.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine was destroyed by fire in a war during the Warring States period, but was rebuilt by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the second lord of the Mito domain, in the Edo period. It was almost restored to its present form by 1730.
After the Meiji period, the area was designated as the Imperial Estate of the Ministry of the Imperial Household. The shore down from the shrine became a seaside relaxation resort, where modern sea bathing imported from the West combined with the shiotoji culture seen in the Oarai area during the Edo period to form the Miyashita ryokan area. After the war, leisure facilities such as Oarai prefectural natural park, Oarai golf club, and Oarai aquarium (Aqua World Oarai) were constructed, and the area became a tourist destination.
The Oarai shore area is a historical resort where the culture of faith, fishing, relaxation, and tourism has been built up on a pristine shore with a rich ecosystem.
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A resort inn by the waves that stands in front of the first torii gate of Oarai Isosaki Shrine. You can enjoy a variety of guest rooms, a buffet with Ibaraki flavors, and an inclusive experience will allow you to spend your time as you wish.
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A long-established inn, founded by 1888. A small oceanfront inn nestled in the lapping waves of scenic Oarai. The theme of the resort is a “seaside villa” with rustic comfort, where you can spend a moment of retreat.
Located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Naka River. From your room, you can savor the beauty of the sunset over the Kaimon Bridge, which connects Oarai and Nakaminato.
A long-established resort hotel founded in the Taisho period on the edge of the Oarai Coast. You can enjoy dinner made from fresh seafood in your room. We also host banquets and lunches in our restaurant.
Conveniently located for sightseeing and leisure, and a 3-minute walk to Aqua World Aquarium.
You can enjoy kaiseki cuisine using ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture.
A long-established Japanese inn nestled in the lapping waves of Oarai Coast since the end of the Edo period. The newly renovated guest rooms are oceanfront, and the hot spring baths and local seafood dishes will soothe your body and mind.
It is a hotel with an ocean view close to Kamiiso-no-Torii Gate on the Oarai Coast, under Oarai Isosaki Shrine. Ideal for an active stay to freely enjoy Oarai at an affordable price.
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This Japanese-style inn boasts its location just a minute’s walk from the Kamiiso-no-Torii gate on the Oarai Coast and local seaside cuisine featuring fresh seafood. The guestrooms feature a pure Japanese style, creating a serene atmosphere where you can enjoy peaceful moments filled with emotion.
A ryotei ryokan nestled in a quiet pine forest on the Oarai Coast. The renowned Ushioyaki grills fresh seafood and tender meat to perfection, while in the winter, you can indulge in the original anko kaiseki course.
A compact inn with a restaurant attached, located along Oarai Kaigan-dori Street. The owner himself is proud of the seaside cuisine using fresh seafood from Oarai.
This is a small inn that has continued for three generations, standing next to the second torii gate of Oarai Isosaki Shrine. As the name “Isoya (Iso means rocky beach)” suggests, it is close to the Oarai Coast and offers sea cuisine using seasonal seafood.
A quiet waterside hotel with a great view of Naka River and the Pacific Ocean. The scent of the ocean, the sound of the waves, seafood, and private hot springs will refresh you. Aqua World Aquarium is a 2-minute walk away.
This cozy inn makes you feel like you have returned to your parents’ home.
The proprietress herself serves homemade dishes that are simple yet warm and filled with love.
Both long-term stays and business use are available.
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A long-established inn, founded in the early Meiji period. A kappo ryokan located in a port town along Magarimatsu Shopping Street, where the best seasonal fish and local specialty ingredients trustfully sourced from the region, creating authentic Japanese cuisine.
Located in the Iwaimachi district near Naka River, this guesthouse offers home-grown rice and a relaxing natural hot spring. The interior of the guesthouse is enveloped in the comfortable warmth of wood, making it perfect for business travelers and solo travelers.
This guest house boasts a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, where homemade seaside cuisine prepared with sincerity by the proprietress and her husband. Close to Oarai Coast and a 5-minute walk to Oarai Isosaki Shrine.
A cozy guest house located near the Oarai Golf Club. The dishes using fresh seafood directly from Oarai Port are excellent, and you can enjoy anko-nabe (anglerfish hotpot) in winter.
This guest house is run by a fisherman, named after his boat “Asanomaru,” takes pride in its fresh ingredients and hearty seaside cuisine. Its convenient location and fresh, exquisite cuisine have attracted many repeat customers.
A relaxed Japanese-style kappo restaurant. In addition to the counter seats, there are also tatami seats on a small raised floor, providing a comfortable space for the entire family!
A seaside restaurant where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Oarai Coast. Seafood with a view of the ocean is exceptional! The popular sashimi set menus vary depending on the day’s stock.
This restaurant is located in a long-established Japanese inn in the Miyashita district, in front of the Oarai Isosaki Shrine. Enjoy a relaxing meal with a view of the magnificent ocean. The omakase set meal, featuring fried fish, sashimi, miso soup, and small side dishes, is recommended!
A Japanese restaurant located in the Ryokan Street along the Oarai Coast, beneath the Oarai Isosaki Shrine. It offers local fish dishes from Oarai as well as affordable seafood dishes.
A restaurant located on Oarai Ryokan Street, a scenic spot of Oarai. You can enjoy seasonal seaside cuisine including anglerfish hotpot during winter. We highly recommend the anglerfish hotpot with red miso paste! A bit different from other restaurants, it has a spicy flavor that warms the body.
A restaurant in Oarai Oshotei. Built in traditional Japanese-style restaurant, with private rooms on either side of the corridor, offering a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal while overlooking pine trees and the sea.
This Japanese restaurant specializes in Hitachi-Aki soba noodles and anglerfish hotpot. It also boasts a winter-only anglerfish hotpot, prepared with a secret broth and abundant anglerfish liver. With set menus including seasonal sashimi, this restaurant is a great place to stop by and enjoy fresh food.
A hotel restaurant where you can enjoy from Western cuisine to fresh fish dishes while overlooking the sea of Oarai. Relax your mind and body with beautiful scenery and delicious food.
A wedge surfing & snowsurf pro shop near Oarai Coast. We hold daily classes where anyone, regardless of age or gender, can participate without needing to bring anything.
One of Japan’s largest aquariums, boasting the highest number of captive sharks in the country. The 68,000 living creatures of 580 species housed across 60 tanks of various sizes, will immerse you in the dynamic and exciting “New World Sea.”
A prestigious golf course overlooking the Pacific Ocean right in front of you. The Seaside Course is the largest course in the East, spanning a total area of 86,256 square meters, with 18 holes and a length of 7,200 yards.
The torii that stands at Kamiiso, the place where two gods descended, is one of the torii of Oarai Isosaki Shrine.
The moment when the torii is illuminated in the morning sun and the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean break white on the reefs is a divine sight.
Ancient shrine built in the Heian period overlooking the vast ocean. The Worship Hall and thatched main shrine, surrounded by Shrine Groves, were rebuilt by Tokugawa Mitsukuni in the Edo period, and reflect the style of the Mito domain.
This temple, located in Furudono-machi, Ishikawa-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, was founded during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) by Nyoshin, a grandson of Shinran. Initially, it was called Oami Gobo, but two generations later, in the reign of Kunyo, the name was changed to Gannyu-ji. Until the early Edo period, it was located outside Oarai Town, but after the Enpo period (1673-1681) when Tokugawa Mitsukuni (Yoshikimi) served as the lord of the Mito Domain, it was relocated to Iwai-cho in Oarai. The Main Hall and the Kaikido Hall of Gannyu-ji Temple house the standing statue of Amida Nyorai, a portrait of the holy priest Shinran, incense bowls, and other prefecture-designated cultural properties. In and around the grounds, there is a ginkgo tree said to have been hand-planted by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, a statue of Chikurakubo, who worked to popularize the Isobushi folk song, and a hall dedicated to Narutaki Mansuke, who was killed in a revenge attack during the Edo period.
A private art museum located along the Oarai Coast. Among them, the “Scenic window painting,” which is framed on a large window, depicting the scenery of the Oarai Coast and Kamiiso, is a must-see.
A rice confectionery shop that produces and sells rice crackers made from domestically grown Uruchi rice, with a focus on ingredients. They are particular about soy oil with deep richness, aroma, and mildness that has been prepared over many years!
A museum exhibiting marine creatures caught in Oarai, tools and skeletons related to whaling
A camping facility in Oarai, surrounded by lush pine forests and abundant nature, with over 200 sites. It has been selected as one of the 100 best places for forest bathing, and nature experiences are also held. It is also important to note that pets are allowed!
Scenic park where visitors can enjoy the beautiful and abundant sea nature of the reefs and pine forests of Meisho Oarai. A variety of sea plants thrive here, marine life can be observed on the rocky shore, and from spring to summer, visitors can enjoy playing on the rocky shore.
A private art museum located along the Oarai Coast below the Oarai Isosaki Shrine. The “Scenic window painting,” which is framed on a large window, depicting the scenery of the Oarai Coast and Kamiiso, is a must-see.
A tennis facility in Oarai. Rental courts are available and anyone can use.
A private house renovated from an old liquor store, limited to one group per day. An outdoor sauna (tent sauna) is available for guests only.
Historic ryokan area formed on the shore below Oarai Isosaki Shrine in the Meiji period so people can relax with Western-style sea bathing.
Oarai’s representative accommodation area, where the reefs of Meisho Oarai stretch out.
Ancient oceans, forests, and rivers.
Places of faith and relaxation
Fishing, commerce, and living.
Center of Oarai Town
The largest beach with shallow water and
villa area in Ibaraki Prefecture
Hinuma Lake, the only brackish lake
in the Kanto region,
and a vast reclaimed land
