Ibaraki Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of the Kanto region, facing the Pacific Ocean to the east. The prefectural capital is Mito City.
Ibaraki is home to one-third of Japan's research institutions, boasting the highest number of research institutions per capita in the country. Additionally, the agricultural production value of Ibaraki is the highest in Honshu and ranks second nationwide after Hokkaido. In terms of population by prefecture, Ibaraki ranks 11th nationwide, while its total area ranks 24th.
Historically, Ibaraki Prefecture consists of the entire Hitachi Province (常陸国) and the northern part of Shimousa Province (下総国). The name "Ibaraki" is derived from a legend recorded in the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki (常陸国風土記), which states that the imperial court built a castle of thorns (ibara) in the area.
Geography and Regional Composition
Ibaraki Prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with some regions included within the Tokyo sphere. The total area of the prefecture is 6,094 km², ranking 24th nationwide. However, due to the abundance of flatlands, the habitable land area ranks 4th in the country. As of May 2014, the population is approximately 2.92 million, making it the most populous prefecture in Japan without a government-designated city. However, there are no cities with a population exceeding 300,000, and the population is generally dispersed.
Ibaraki consists of 44 municipalities (32 cities, 10 towns, and 2 villages) and is further divided into 7 districts.
Major Regions and Their Characteristics
Ibaraki Prefecture is broadly divided into five main regions:
Northern Region
- Features natural scenic spots such as the Izura Coast (五浦海岸) and Fukuroda Falls (袋田の滝).
- The coastline stretches approximately 190 km.
- Hitachi City (日立市) and surrounding areas are home to factories related to the Hitachi Group, forming an industrial zone.
Central Region
- Centered around Mito City, the prefectural capital.
- Home to Kairakuen (偕楽園), one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and Kodokan (弘道館), Japan’s largest feudal domain school.
- J-PARC, a world-class scientific research facility, is located in Tokai Village (東海村).
- Ibaraki Airport is also situated in this region.
Eastern Region
- Contains Kasumigaura (霞ヶ浦), Japan’s second-largest lake, along with numerous other lakes and marshlands.
- Kashima City (鹿嶋市) and Kamisu City (神栖市) are home to the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone (鹿島臨海工業地帯), one of Japan’s largest industrial hubs.
Western Region
- Located in the central part of the Kanto Plain, extending along the Tone River (利根川).
- A major agricultural area, boasting the highest agricultural production value in Honshu.
Southern Region
- At the foot of Mount Tsukuba (筑波山) lies Tsukuba Science City (筑波研究学園都市), the largest research city in Japan.
- The Tsukuba Express provides improved access to central Tokyo, contributing to its development as a bedroom community.
Economy and Industry
Ibaraki Prefecture has a strong agricultural presence, ranking first in agricultural production in Honshu. It also ranks first nationwide in terms of agricultural workforce, number of farming households, and farmland area ratio. Many agricultural, fishery, and livestock products from Ibaraki are among the top producers in Japan.
Additionally, Ibaraki is the birthplace of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan’s largest comprehensive electronics manufacturer. The Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone has a well-developed chemical industry, while Tsukuba Science City houses some of the world's leading physics and scientific research facilities, serving as a global research hub.
Climate and Living Environment
Ibaraki Prefecture has a humid subtropical climate, with relatively mild temperatures throughout the year. However, winters can be particularly cold compared to other areas in the Kanto Plain.
- Northern Coastal Region (Kita-Ibaraki City, Hitachi City, etc.)
- Has a maritime climate, with relatively mild winters.
- Northern Mountainous Region (Hitachi-Omiya City, Hitachi-Ota City, Daigo Town, etc.)
- Experiences severe winter cold, and Fukuroda Falls sometimes completely freezes over.
- Southeastern Region (Kashima City, Kamisu City, etc.)
- One of the warmest areas in the Kanto region.
- Southwestern Region (Koga City, etc.)
- Close to Saitama Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, experiencing extremely hot summers.
- Central and Southern Plains Region (Mito City, Tsukuba City, etc.)
- Has low winter temperatures and exhibits inland climate characteristics.
Ibaraki Prefecture is a scientific and industrial powerhouse, while also being a leader in agriculture. With its rich natural landscapes, advanced research facilities, and economic development, the prefecture offers a unique balance of urban and rural elements.