Hitachi Seaside Park

 The Hitachi Seaside Park is in Ibaraki prefecture just north of Tokyo on the eastern pacific coast of Honshu. Emi saw an add for a day trip bus tour so we signed up for it.

They call it a seaside park but in my opinion that's a bit deceiving. The park is located near the ocean but it's a flower park not a seaside park. It's also a big park.

After we arrived the tour guide walked us from the Seabreeze entrance to the base  of the Miharashi-no-oka flower hill and then turned us loose.  

The hill is covered with Nemophila flowers... and people!

It was a beautiful day and there were plenty of people enjoying the Nemophila covered hill.

It's an easy walk, nothing too steep.

Everyone is taking pictures.

We're getting closer to the top of the hill.

Most people are taking pictures with their phone, some other people are more serious about their photography equipment.

A lot of couples are enjoying the park.

The view from the top of Miharashi-no-oka hill.

Smile!

We can see the seaside in the distance from the top of Miharashi-no-oka hill.

Hello Emi!

Yes, that's me.

And, me again. 

Starting our walk down the hill.

There are a lot of people here but it doesn't feel crowded. There's plenty of room for everyone. 

It's nice to see young people enjoying the park.

A lot of families too!

Boy meets girl, boy likes girl. 💕

I would say that about 50% of the flowers are in bloom. When it reaches the peak (100% in bloom) this place will be amazing!

We've left the hill behind us and we're heading for the Tamago-no-mori flower garden. 

A change of color from blue to yellow.

Passing through the Old Village House area.

Looks like there's a Princess ahead of us. 

There are some food trucks in the park. Lucky for us we ate lunch before we arrived at the park.

We have arrived at the Tamago-no-mori flower garden in the forest. 

Tulips in the forest... this is very enjoyable.

The tulips are beautiful.

Having a flower garden in a forest is a great idea.

It's getting late so we need to start working our way back to the bus parking lot.

There are quite a few foreign visitors in the park. 

Looking back at Miharashi-no-oka hill as we head for the exit.

Passing by a mother and her beautiful baby.

Back at the tour bus parking lot. Our bus is in the middle (license plate number 90-00). It's time to go home.

Our daytrip group tour was a big success; we had a good time. The park is beautiful and easy to walk around. Maybe we'll do this again next year! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!

Part 4 of the Mystery Tour (Tateyama & Toyama)

 This is the last part of the Mystery Tour. We departed Kanazawa and headed to Tateyama to see mountains floating on the sea. 

We have arrived at Toyama bay, the place where we are supposed to see the beautiful  Tateyama mountains floating on the sea. 

This is the beautiful panoramic view we were hoping to see.

No such luck. The conditions were the worst for viewing the mountains. We cannot see the mountains at all. No problem, we're all adults, we've learned how to mask our disappointment with a smile and a laugh! Let's get back on the bus there's a long drive ahead of us.

I forget where we ate lunch so let's jump forward to where we'll be spending the night. Welcome to the Mercure Toyama Tonami Resort & Spa!

This hotel is huge, and it's also in the middle of nowhere. This is the front desk. 

In the lounge there is a free happy hour from 15:00 to 18:00 and there is also a free night cap drinks service from 21:00 to 23:00.

Here is proof that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere; this is the view from our room. By-the-way, I didn't take any pictures but the diner and breakfast buffet was one of the best I have ever experienced.

After breakfast it was time to check-out and go to our next mystery destination. 

Surprise! We're going for a boat ride. This is the Omaki Onsen tour boat station. We're going to go on the Shogawa Gorge cruise.

Inside the station people huddle around a heater to stay warm while we wait for our boat.

It's boarding time! 

Here's Emi! It's cold but we're happy on the boat ready to start our cruise.

We're underway. 

This is fun!

We're heading down the Shogawa Gorge.

Many of the passengers are staying inside the boat where it's warm. We're staying out on the weather deck to enjoy the best view.

We'll be passing under the bridge.

A few other passengers are out on deck with us to enjoy the view and take pictures.

Emi's enjoying the beautiful scenery.

There used to be a bridge here but it's gone.

We're not the only boat in the gorge. This one is smaller but much faster than we are.

After the boat ride it was back on the bus. We still many places to go and things to do; like visiting the Hakukokan Gold Leaf museum and shop.

Just what everyone needs... gold plated golf balls. 

Next up is a visit to the Nousaku Brass and Bronze factory. 

It's best if one checks out their website for information on this place.

https://www.nousaku.co.jp/en/

This tour isn't over yet. It's time for a fancy gourmet lunch at the top floor restaurant of the Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu.

 Restaurant's website

I had the gourmet hamburger lunch. 

Emi had the fish.

And, I ate both of our deserts!

One of the Toyama City trams passing by us on the street.

After lunch we're visiting the Toyama City Glass Art Museum. 

I'm running out of energy but Emi is still going strong. Lucky for me this is our last stop before goin to the airport for our flight back to Tokyo.

Well that's the end of our crazy Mystery Tour. The tour was great, the bus and bus driver was terrific, and our tour guide was superb! 

The End

Next time I'll be posting about our one day visit to the Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaragi Prefecture. See you then!

Mike