Fukuroda Falls (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

A short one-hour drive from the center of Mito City, the Okukuji area boasts beautiful waterfalls, the country’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge and plenty more.

Fukuroda Falls in the center of the area is one of Japan’s three most majestic waterfalls at 120-meters tall and 73-meters wide. This waterfall is often called “yodo no taki” (literally, a waterfall to visit four times a year), as its beauty is different every season. Here you can enjoy the waterfall with cherry blossoms in the spring, lush greenery in the summer, gorgeous colors in the fall and icy beauty in the winter. Additionally, in the winter, Fukuroda Falls has illuminations to add an opportunity to experience its beauty at night. For a great photo op, go through the pedestrian tunnel to reach the multilevel observation platforms.

Nearby, Ryujin Bridge is a suspension bridge that stretches 375 meters and is the longest pedestrian bridge in Japan. As you walk across, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hitachi Mountain Range and the Namase River. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can bungee jump off the 100-meter-high bridge.

A short 30-minute drive from Mito City, Hitachi Seaside Park offers many gardens featuring tulips, roses and poppies, along with an athletic field, amusement facilities and traditional village houses. The park is especially popular in the nemophila (baby blue eyes) blooming season. Around the end of April and the beginning of May, hills of the park take on a beautiful blue-purple hue with nearly 4.5 million tiny, cute nemophila blooms, creating an incredible view.

Fukuroda Falls

Ryujin Bridge

Ryujin Bridge (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Hitachi Seaside Park

Nemophila (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Nemophila Hills in the Hitachi Seaside Park (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)