Only in November! Exclusive One-Day Experience – Join the Cycling & Night Adventure Tour in Ibaraki's Historic Kashima Navy Air Corps Area!

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On November 30, enjoy a one-day-only cycling and night adventure tour in Ibaraki. Explore the Guinness-certified Ushiku Buddha and the scenic Kasumigaura, then embark on a thrilling night adventure at the historic Kashima Navy Air Corps site. Don’t miss this special experience!

[Only available on November 30th] Cycling and Night Adventure Tour around the former site of the Kashima Naval Air Corps

Cycling is the perfect way to feel the unique atmosphere of a place and enjoy the scenery. Not only can you discover many small things that you would miss if you were traveling by car or train, but you can also get a sense of accomplishment from reaching your destination on your own and enjoy moderate exercise, which are the charms of bicycle travel!

A special cycling tour and night adventure tour will be held on November 30, 2024, centering around the former Kashima Naval Air Squadron site in Miho Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. On the approximately 35km cycling course, you can enjoy the scenery of a shopping mall rich in nature reminiscent of the American West Coast, the Ushiku Daibutsu, one of the world's largest Buddha statues recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, and the beautiful shores of Lake Kasumigaura.

After enjoying cycling, head out for a night adventure at the ruins of the Kashima Naval Air Group. Enjoy a fantastical time on the "Mysterious Spell Tour" (※)! You can also enjoy the special illuminations held at the ruins.

(※) This tour is based on the Ibaraki Prefecture legend of "Tanuki-sama," which says that if you cast a spell on a stuffed raccoon dog, it will grant you one wish. This is an experiential tour of about 20 minutes in which participants are split into groups of about 10 people and explore the ruins with a teacher (attendant).

Tour Overview

[Date] Saturday, November 30th

[Price] 13,990 yen

[Itinerary Overview]

9:00 Meet at the former Kashima Naval Air Station (lecture on how to ride a bicycle)

9:30 Departure

11:00-13:20 Ami Premium Outlets (shopping and free lunch)

13:35-14:35 Ushiku Buddha (visit)

Take a break on the way to Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road

16:20-18:20 Kashima Naval Air Group Site (Night Adventure Tour & Illumination, Light Meal at Warehouse Cafe)

18:30 Disband on site

[Points to note]

① You can bring your own bike (bicycle), but if you rent a bike, an additional 2,000 yen will be charged. If you rent a bike, please let us know your height when you apply.

② Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to move in.

③ In some cases, the order of the cycling course may be changed.

④A support rider will accompany you on the day.

⑤If you are coming by car, you can park at the former site of the Kashima Naval Air Group. (※Parking is free.)

Sign up for a cycling and night adventure tour

The charm of Miho Village is colored by nature and history. The "Kashima Naval Air Corps Ruins" is also a must-see!

Located in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Miho Village is about 60km from Tokyo and can be reached by public transport in about 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station and about 1 hour from Narita Airport. The village is rich in nature and history, with spectacular views of Lake Kasumigaura from the northern and eastern parts of the village, Shiroyama Park where you can enjoy seasonal flowers, and the nationally designated historic site Okadaira Shell Mound.

Among them, the "Kashima Naval Air Group Site," which will be open to the public in July 2023, is one of the largest war ruins in Japan. The automobile garage, the main building made of reinforced concrete, and the remains of the steam boiler yard from that time remain as they are, allowing you to experience a unique atmosphere. The site has also been used as a filming location for many movies, including "Godzilla-1.0."

From here, let's take a look at the attractions of each spot you will visit on the cycling tour.

Check out the appeal of each spot you'll visit on your cycling tour!

9:30 Depart from Kashima Naval Air Group Ruins, one of the largest war ruins in Japan!

On the day, we will gather at the former site of the Kashima Naval Air Corps at 9:00am. After a brief lecture on cycling, we will depart at around 9:30am. We ask that you bring your own bicycle, but you can also rent one (2,000 yen, advance notice required). There will be no tour conductor, but a support rider will accompany you, so you can participate with peace of mind. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

11:00-13:20 Lunch break at Ami Premium Outlets

Take a lunch break at Ami Premium Outlets, which is modeled after the American West Coast. The wide variety of menu items, including Japanese, Italian, and Western cuisine, is appealing. There is plenty of time for a break, so you can shop at over 100 stores or enjoy a cafe break after your meal!

13:35-14:35 Visit the world's largest bronze Buddha! The Ushiku Buddha, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records

About 2km from Ami Premium Outlets, you will come across the Ushiku Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The Ushiku Daibutsu stands at 120m tall. Be sure to take a commemorative photo! You can even enter the Buddha's womb. In the five-story space, you can experience copying sutras, see a panel exhibit on the construction process, and visit a corner displaying a model of the Buddha's thumb.

Taking a break on the Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road

Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road is a 180km long cycling course that combines the abandoned Tsukuba Railway line and the Kasumigaura lakeside road. This course is filled with beautiful nature and spectacular views of the lake, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely cycle while taking in the views of Mount Tsukuba and Lake Kasumigaura.

16:20-18:00 Enjoy a night adventure tour and illuminations at the Kashima Naval Air Squadron Site!

In the evening, we return to the former Kashima Naval Air Group site and enjoy a light meal at the "Warehouse Cafe," a popular spot for cyclists. Afterwards, we take part in a "Mysterious Spell Tour" using a sound AR app and enjoy the fantastic illuminations. Let's forget about our daily lives and enjoy this special one-day experience!

Access information for Miho Village

From Tokyo

It takes about 2.5 hours by public transportation from Tokyo Station to Miho Village. Take the JR Joban Line from Tokyo to Tsuchiura Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to a bus (Kasumigaura Line) and arrive in just under 30 minutes. If you are driving, it will take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the road conditions.

If you are heading from Ibaraki Airport

If you are heading to Miho Village from Ibaraki Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to Ishioka Station, then take the JR Joban Line from there to Tsuchiura Station and transfer to the bus (Kasumigaura Line) and you will arrive in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. By car, it takes about an hour.

Direct flights are now available from Taiwan!

There are direct flights from Taipei to Ibaraki Airport, and you can reach Ibaraki in about three and a half hours. Please check here for the latest flight information.

Enjoy a one-day, extraordinary experience!

This special one-day cycling and night adventure tour is a great way to experience the beautiful nature of Ibaraki and create some special memories.

Sign up for a cycling and night adventure tour

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