Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park and How to Get There by Public Transport
From late April to early May, the nemophila (baby blue eyes) planted on Miharashi Hill in Hitachi Seaside Park come into full bloom, creating a breathtaking view that looks like a vast blue carpet.
This year (2025), the bloom have been reached since April 24th.
I happened to visit Hitachi Seaside Park on April 24th, so I’d like to share some information on how to get there using public transportation.
To reach Hitachi Seaside Park, you can either take an Ibaraki Kotsu bus from JR Katsuta Station (there’s a direct bus service available during the blooming season), or you can take the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line, get off at the final stop — Ajigaura Station — and take a shuttle bus to the park.
I didn’t research so much before going, so here’s what I learned about how to get there.
Tickets for Hitachi Seaside Park
First, you need to purchase an admission ticket to enter the park.
The usual admission fee is 450 yen, but during the spring nemophila and fall kochia seasons, it increases to 800 yen.
On the 24th, even though it was a weekday, there was a line at the west entrance ticket counter, and it took about 3 minutes to buy a ticket.
There were about 10 ticket counters operating, from what I could see.
However, on weekends and during Golden Week, a much larger crowd is expected, and you may have to wait in a long line just to buy a ticket even after arriving at the park.
That’s why I highly recommend buying a transportation pass that includes admission in advance!
Transportation Options
By Bus
After getting off at JR Katsuta Station, head to the east exit. You’ll find a rotary where the bus stops are located.
There was already a line when I arrived, so it was easy to spot.
The direct bus takes about 15 minutes; local buses take about 30 minutes.
By Train
Stay inside the ticket gate at JR Katsuta Station and head to Platform 1. You’ll find the ticket gate for the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway next to Platform 2 (Joban Line).
The train usually has 1–2 cars. When I boarded, there was only one car at Katsuta Station, and another car was added at Nakaminato Station.
They might be adjusting the number of cars based on expected passenger volume.
Tickets and Prices
At Katsuta Station’s bus rotary, there are signs directing you to a website via QR code. However, if there’s a long line, it might take some time to reach the QR code sign.
According to online information, JR has launched a site called “Hitachi no Kuni Kiko,” where you can buy combo tickets.
Note: The ticket is only valid for the day of use.
Here’s the link: https://maas-portal.com/hitachinokunikiko/information/1587
The site seems designed for mobile devices, so it’s not very user-friendly on a PC.
It’s a mystery why they didn’t use a responsive design that adapts to different devices — maybe because it’s a seasonal site, and they assume most users will access it via mobile.
Bus Combo Ticket: 1,130 yen
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Round-trip fare between Katsuta Station and Hitachi Seaside Park: usually 900 yen → 500 yen (the only bus fee discounted during the bloom) → actually 330 yen
-
Admission ticket: 800 yen
→ So it’s a great deal!
The bus arrives at the West Entrance of the park.
Train Combo Ticket: 1,200 yen
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Round-trip fare between Katsuta Station and Ajigaura Station: usually 1,140 yen → 600 yen for a seasonal pass (limited availability) → actually 400 yen
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Admission ticket: 800 yen
→ Another good deal!
However, as of April 27, the link to purchase the train combo ticket was not accessible.
So I recommend asking directly at the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway ticket gate.
The train arrives at Ajigaura Station, the last stop. From there, a free shuttle bus takes you to the Seaside Entrance of the park.
According to the website, the train ride to Ajigaura takes about 28 minutes, and the shuttle bus ride takes around 9 minutes.
http://www.hitachinaka-rail.co.jp/blog/2025/04/25/8314.html
Summary
Whichever option you choose, being able to buy a combo ticket in advance on the day and skip the ticket line at the park is a huge plus!
If you’re interested in more than just Hitachi Seaside Park — for example, visiting Nakaminato Fish Market (famous for fresh seafood) near Nakaminato Station, or exploring spots like Hoshiimo Shrine and Sakatsura Isozaki Shrine near Ajigaura Station — then taking the train might give your trip more of a travel vibe and extra sightseeing opportunities.
On the other hand, if your main goal is to enjoy Hitachi Seaside Park itself, then the bus is the more straightforward and convenient option.
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