Tsuchiura City is located in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It serves as a core administrative and international conference tourism city within the prefecture, and is also part of the “Tsukuba Metropolitan Area” centered around neighboring Tsukuba City. Since the establishment of Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsuchiura has long played a central role in the commercial and administrative affairs of the southern region.
In terms of transportation development, the opening of the Tsukuba Railway (formerly the Kanto Railway Tsukuba Line) in 1918, along with the establishment of a naval air squadron in Ami Village (now Ami Town) to the east in 1929, positioned Tsuchiura as a major transport hub. Before World War II, the city featured traditional restaurants, red-light districts, and other leisure facilities, earning it the reputation of a “naval town” with a strong military character.
After the war, Tsuchiura rapidly developed as a commercial city. The west exit area of Tsuchiura Station once hosted numerous major department stores and retailers, including Komiya, Keisei Department Store, Marui, Seiyu, and Ito-Yokado. However, with the development of Tsukuba Science City, the spread of automobiles, and the rise of suburban commercial complexes, many of these traditional department stores gradually withdrew from the station area.
Nevertheless, Tsuchiura still retains some administrative functions and houses several national and prefectural government offices. The Sakuramachi 2-chome district has even developed into the largest red-light district in northern Kanto.
As for local attractions, Tsuchiura hosts the “Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition” every November, one of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan, attracting many visitors. The city is also known for its lotus root production, and has developed a local specialty dish called “Zeppelin Curry,” inspired by the historical connection with the navy and featuring lotus root as a key ingredient.
