The 15 Best Day Trips from Ibaraki
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 15 good day trips from Ibaraki, Japan, led by Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto. The closest is Higashiosaka, about 25 min by car, and 6 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Ibaraki
- 1
Nagoya, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr by car128 km east of IbarakiKnown for Nana-chan Mannequin.
- 2
Kobe, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car38 km west of IbarakiKnown for BE KOBE.
- 3
Kyoto, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car28 km north-east of IbarakiWhat travelers see in Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Taisha - You'll be mesmerized by the vibrant vermilion torii gates that create a stunning pathway up the sacred Mount Inari.
- Kinkaku-ji - You'll be captivated by the shimmering gold leaf that covers the upper two floors of this Zen Buddhist temple, reflecting beautifully in the surrounding pond.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - You'll find yourself enveloped by towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the summer breeze, creating a soothing rustle that feels magical.
- 4
Himeji, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car79 km west of Ibaraki - 5
Higashiosaka, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 25 min by car17 km south of Ibaraki - 6
Nishinomiya, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car24 km south-west of Ibaraki - 7
Amagasaki, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 25 min by car18 km south-west of Ibaraki - 8
Toyota, Japan
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car147 km east of Ibaraki - 9
Takamatsu, Japan
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car149 km west of Ibaraki - 10
Gifu, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr by car128 km north-east of Ibaraki - 11
Okazaki, Japan
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car147 km east of Ibaraki - 12
Ichinomiya, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car124 km north-east of Ibaraki - 13
Minato, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car77 km south-west of Ibaraki - 14
Nara-shi, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car26 km south-east of Ibaraki - 15
Wakayama, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car75 km south-west of Ibaraki
A sample day: Ibaraki to Kyoto
- 08:30Leave Ibaraki
- 09:10Arrive in Kyoto (40 min drive)
- 09:25Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 11:25Lunch
- 12:40Kinkaku-ji
- 14:25Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- 15:55Head back to Ibaraki
- 16:35Home in Ibaraki
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Ibaraki?
- The best day trips from Ibaraki are Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, Himeji, Higashiosaka. The closest is Higashiosaka, about 25 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Ibaraki?
- Higashiosaka is the closest, 17 km south of Ibaraki, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Ibaraki?
- 6 places are within about an hour's drive of Ibaraki: Higashiosaka (25 min), Amagasaki (25 min), Nishinomiya (35 min), Nara-shi (40 min), Kyoto (40 min), Kobe (45 min).
- What is the biggest city near Ibaraki for a day out?
- Nagoya is the largest city in day-trip range, 128 km east of Ibaraki and about 2 hr by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Ibaraki?
- For a weekend away from Ibaraki, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Takamatsu (149 km, 2 hr 20 min), Okazaki (147 km, 2 hr 20 min), Toyota (147 km, 2 hr 20 min), Gifu (128 km, 2 hr). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Ibaraki?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Takamatsu at 149 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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