【Girls & Panzer】Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Oarai Town in Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture is known as a sacred site for the popular anime “Girls & Panzer” (hereafter, GalPan). More than 10 years have passed since the television anime broadcast began in 2012, and even now, with the release of the theatrical version and final chapter, many fans from across the country visit. This article comprehensively explains all information necessary for sacred site pilgrimage, including the relationship between Oarai Town and GalPan, major pilgrimage spots, event information, and access methods.
The Deep Bond Between Girls & Panzer and Oarai Town
Overview of the Work and Why Oarai Town Was Chosen as the Setting
“Girls & Panzer” is an original anime work based on “Sensha-do,” a fictional martial art. The story unfolds as the protagonist Miho Nishizumi transfers to Prefectural Oarai Girls Academy and pursues the national Sensha-do tournament with her friends.
The background for selecting Oarai Town as the setting included the beautiful scenery as a port town facing the Pacific Ocean, an appropriately manageable scale, and a unique atmosphere where the sea and town harmonize. As a result of production staff actually visiting Oarai Town and conducting meticulous research, many real buildings and landscapes appear in the work.
History of the Mutual Relationship Between Oarai Town and Fans
From the beginning of the anime broadcast in 2012, Oarai Town’s Chamber of Commerce and local shopping streets warmly welcomed fans. Character panels were installed at shops in the shopping street, and the sales of original goods began. This community-wide effort attracted nationwide attention as a successful case of anime sacred site pilgrimage.
The interaction between fans and townspeople deepened year after year, with fans engaging in cleaning activities and participation in community events, building relationships beyond mere tourism. The Oarai Town Chamber of Commerce has continued to issue the message that “our fans are valued customers and supporters of the town,” and this attitude supports sustainable development as a sacred site.
Complete Guide to Must-See Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots
Area Around Oarai Station
Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Station
Oarai Station, the starting point for sacred site pilgrimage, appears as an important location in the work. The station building, both inside and out, is decorated with GalPan elements, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of the sacred site from the moment of arrival. Character panels from Prefectural Oarai Girls Academy are installed in front of the station and have become a standard memorial photography spot.
Inside the station is a tourist information center where you can obtain pilgrimage maps and the latest event information. A rental bicycle service is also available here, and using bicycles is recommended for efficiently touring around town.
Oarai Seaside Station
Located approximately 15 minutes on foot from Oarai Station, Oarai Seaside Station is a particularly important facility as a sacred site for GalPan fans. On the second floor is the “Oarai GalPan Gallery,” where limited merchandise and official products available nowhere else are abundantly stocked.
The store features original artwork and panel displays, making it a space to immerse oneself in the work’s world beyond just purchasing merchandise. The staff are also knowledgeable about GalPan and can offer advice about sacred site pilgrimage.
Address: 11-2 Minatonakao, Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:00-18:00 (varies by season)
Oarai Marine Tower and Coastal Area
Oarai Marine Tower
Oarai Marine Tower, a landmark of Oarai, is a symbolic structure that appears multiple times in the work, including episode 4. From the observation deck at 60 meters high, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Pacific Ocean and the cityscape of Oarai.
On the second floor is a GalPan collaboration café called “Panzer Vor,” where you can enjoy themed menus and original merchandise. The observation deck admission fee is an affordable 340 yen for adults, making it a must-visit spot during sacred site pilgrimage.
Address: 10 Minatonakao, Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
Admission: 340 yen for adults, 170 yen for elementary and middle school students
Oarai Beach / Sunbeach
Oarai Sunbeach appears in scenes where characters enjoy swimming in the work. During summer, it is crowded with beachgoers, and the shallow beach is popular with families. From the promenade along the coast, photography is possible with Oarai Marine Tower as a background, and it is known as a memorial photography spot with the same angle as the anime.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine Area
Oarai Isosaki Shrine
Oarai Isosaki Shrine, nestled on a high ground overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is a historic shrine founded in 856. It appears as the setting for important scenes in the work, and in particular, the “Isosaki Torii” standing on coastal rock formations is a famous scenic photography spot known for its sunrise view.
Multiple character ema (wooden prayer plaques) holders are installed in the shrine grounds, and they are filled with plaques bearing wishes from fans who have visited from all over the country. The shrine office also distributes GalPan collaboration ema, charms, and more, which are popular as souvenirs of sacred site pilgrimage.
When visiting, remember to maintain proper shrine etiquette and pray respectfully. The Isosaki Torii in the early morning has a particularly mystical atmosphere and is ideal for photography.
Address: 6890 Isohama-cho, Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Oarai Station, approximately 40 minutes on foot
Magarimatsushokai Shopping Street Area
Magarimatsushokai Shopping Street
Located in the center of Oarai Town, Magarimatsushokai Shopping Street is one of the places that appears most frequently in the work. In the anime, it is depicted in detail in the marketplace battle scene of the theatrical version, with many actual shops appearing.
Each shop in the shopping street displays different character panels and posters, offering the enjoyment of searching for your favorite character while strolling. There are diverse shops including restaurants, souvenir shops, and bookstores, each handling GalPan-related merchandise and limited products.
The “Shopping Street Tour Map” created by the shopping street support group contains detailed information about each shop’s location and GalPan-related information and is helpful for efficient sacred site pilgrimage. This map is distributed free of charge at each shop in the shopping street and at the tourist information center.
Major Shops and GalPan Merchandise
Various shops scattered throughout the shopping street handle abundant GalPan-related merchandise. Many shops also carry original merchandise, making them a treasure trove for collectors.
- Bookstores: Wide range of GalPan-related books, doujinshi, and merchandise
- Restaurants: GalPan collaboration menus, dishes modeled after characters
- Souvenir Shops: Limited products combining Oarai specialties with GalPan
- Model Shops: Plastic models of tanks appearing in the work and related products
Many shops permit in-store photography, but always confirm beforehand and be considerate of other customers.
Other Important Spots
Oarai Town Hall
The Oarai Town Hall appears in the work as the exterior of Prefectural Oarai Girls Academy. While exterior photography is possible, care must be taken not to interfere with administrative operations. A memorial photography panel is installed in front of the building, allowing you to enjoy photography from the same angle as the anime.
Oarai Resort Outlet
An outlet mall adjacent to Oarai Port that also appears in the work. You can enjoy shopping while engaging in sacred site pilgrimage, and dining options are abundant, making it a convenient rest stop.
Efficient Transportation Methods in Oarai Town
Utilizing Rental Bicycles
Renting a bicycle is optimal for efficiently touring sacred sites within Oarai Town. The town is relatively flat and well-suited for bicycle travel.
Main Rental Bicycle Facilities:
- Oarai Station Tourist Information Center
- Oarai Marine Tower
- Some hotels and inns
Rental Fee: Approximately 500-1,000 yen per day
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (varies by facility)
Electric-assist bicycles are also available, allowing easy travel over long distances and hills. Some facilities accept advance reservations, which is recommended during peak seasons.
Oarai Kaiyu-go (Shuttle Bus)
The “Oarai Kaiyu-go,” a community bus circulating within Oarai Town, connects major tourist attractions. By purchasing a one-day pass, you can board and disembark unlimited times and efficiently conduct sacred site pilgrimage.
Route: Oarai Station → Oarai Marine Tower → Aqua World Oarai → Oarai Isosaki Shrine → Oarai Station
Service Interval: Approximately every 30-60 minutes
Fare: 100 yen per ride, 300 yen for one-day pass
Timetables vary seasonally, so check the latest information on the Oarai Town Tourism Association website.
Walking Tour
If time permits, a walking tour is also recommended. You can discover fine details of landscapes that appeared in the anime and enjoy interactions with locals—discoveries that can only come through slower-paced travel.
Major spots are concentrated within walking distance: approximately 15 minutes from Oarai Station to Magarimatsushokai Shopping Street, and approximately 10 minutes from the shopping street to Oarai Marine Tower. However, it takes about 40 minutes on foot from the station to Oarai Isosaki Shrine, so consider your physical fitness and time when selecting a transportation method.
GalPan-Related Event Information
Regularly Held Events
Ankō Festival (November)
The “Ankō Festival,” Oarai Town’s largest event, is held every November. Many GalPan collaboration projects are implemented, including voice actor talk shows, paintscar exhibitions, and limited merchandise sales.
Attendance typically exceeds 100,000 people annually, making it the busiest day of the year for Oarai Town. Accommodations often become fully booked months in advance, so early reservations are essential if you plan to attend.
Oarai Spring Festival, Summer Festival, and Autumn Festival
GalPan-related projects are also implemented during seasonal festivals. Special character panel displays, stamp rallies, collaboration menu offerings, and more provide abundant entertainment for fans.
Stamp Rally
Various stamp rallies are held year-round. By collecting stamps at designated spots throughout town, you can receive limited merchandise and commemorative items.
Stamp rally cards are distributed free of charge at Oarai Station Tourist Information Center, Oarai GalPan Gallery, and participating shops. Completion rewards are often limited-period offers, so check the latest information before visiting.
Theatrical Version and Final Chapter Release Commemorative Events
Special events are held to coincide with new releases. Panel display updates, new character merchandise sales, and limited-time operation of collaboration cafés are implemented in coordination with the work’s developments.
The latest event information is continuously updated on the Oarai Town Tourism Association’s official website, the GalPan official website, and each shop’s social media.
Access Methods and Travel Plans
Access from the Tokyo Area
Train
Fastest Route (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes):
- JR Tokyo Station → JR Mito Station (special express Hitachi, approximately 70 minutes)
- JR Mito Station → Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Station (approximately 15 minutes)
Economical Route (approximately 3 hours):
- JR Tokyo Station → JR Mito Station (Joban Line rapid service, approximately 2 hours)
- JR Mito Station → Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Station (approximately 15 minutes)
The Kashima Rinkai Railway vehicles are sometimes wrapped in GalPan designs, making the journey itself part of the sacred site pilgrimage experience.
By Car
Via Joban Expressway:
- Tokyo → Mito-Oarai IC (approximately 90 minutes) → Oarai Town (approximately 10 minutes)
- From Mito-Oarai IC, head to the center of Oarai Town via Route 51
Parking is available at Oarai Marine Tower, Oarai Resort Outlet, and municipal parking lots. Congestion is expected during peak seasons, so consider using public transportation.
Express Bus
Express buses run from JR Tokyo Station Yaesu south exit to Oarai. At approximately 2,000 yen per one-way trip, this is a convenient option that goes directly to Oarai without transfers.
Accommodations
Oarai Town offers diverse accommodation options including hotels, inns, and guesthouses.
GalPan Collaboration Accommodations
Some accommodations offer GalPan collaboration rooms and special plan benefits. These include character panel installations, original merchandise gifts, and collaboration menu offerings—providing fans with a special experience.
Reservation Tips
- Accommodations fill months in advance during events
- Weekday reservations are relatively easier
- Hotels in Mito City are also an option for easier booking
- Consider staying in bed-and-breakfast accommodations and enjoying local restaurants
Recommended Travel Plans
Day Trip Plan
Morning:
- 9:00 Arrival at Oarai Station, rent bicycle
- 9:30 Explore Magarimatsushokai Shopping Street, purchase merchandise
- 11:00 Visit Oarai Marine Tower
Afternoon:
- 12:00 Lunch at shopping street (ankō cuisine or collaboration menus)
- 13:30 Visit Oarai Isosaki Shrine
- 15:00 Purchase souvenirs at Oarai GalPan Gallery
- 16:00 Depart from Oarai Station
1 Night, 2 Days Plan
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive and check into accommodation
- Afternoon: Explore shopping street and visit main attractions
- Evening: Watch sunset at Oarai Isosaki Shrine
- Night: Dinner at shopping street restaurant
Day 2:
- Early morning: Watch sunrise at Isosaki Torii (depending on season)
- Morning: Visit remaining spots from previous day
- Afternoon: Visit Aqua World Oarai Aquarium (if time permits)
- Evening: Purchase souvenirs and depart
Manners and Rules for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Basic Etiquette
Oarai Town is where real people live. When enjoying sacred site pilgrimage, observe the following manners:
- No unauthorized entry into private property: Do not enter private land without permission, even if it’s a photography spot
- Noise consideration: Avoid loud conversations and activities in residential areas during early morning or late night
- Take litter home: Always take your own trash with you
- Obey traffic rules: Follow traffic rules when moving by bicycle or on foot
- Consideration at shops: Obtain permission before photographing, try to visit with the intention to purchase
Photography Precautions
- Be considerate so other tourists and locals don’t appear in photos
- When using tripods, select locations that don’t obstruct traffic
- Always obtain permission before photographing inside shops
- Confirm photography-restricted areas at temples and shrines
- Drone photography requires permission at most locations, so confirm in advance
Community Contribution Awareness
When visiting Oarai Town, also be mindful of contributing to the local economy:
- Dining at local restaurants
- Shopping at the shopping street
- Using paid facilities
- Purchasing local specialty products
These actions make Oarai Town sustainable as a sacred site and help maintain a favorable relationship between the work and fans going forward.
Oarai Town’s Charm: Tourism Resources Beyond GalPan
Ankō Cuisine
Oarai Town is also famous as the “Town of Ankō.” During winter (November-March), you can enjoy hot pot dishes and fried ankō using fresh ingredients. Restaurants in the shopping street and around the port offer various ankō dishes, and GalPan collaboration menus also exist.
Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium
One of Japan’s top-class aquariums, famous for having the highest number of shark species in Japan. Dolphin shows and penguin walks provide entertainment for families. It’s worthwhile to visit alongside sacred site pilgrimage.
Swimming and Marine Sports
During summer, swimming is available at Oarai Sunbeach. The shallow waters are safe for children, and shower facilities and beach volleyball courts are complete. It’s also popular as a surfing spot, attracting marine sports enthusiasts.
History and Culture of Oarai
Oarai Town is an old port town that prospered through fishing and maritime trade. During the Edo period, it functioned as an important port for the Mito Domain. Many historic structures, including Oarai Isosaki Shrine, exist, and historical tours are also enjoyable.
Conclusion: The Future of Oarai Town and GalPan
Oarai Town in Ibaraki Prefecture has become a successful case study for anime sacred site pilgrimage as the setting for “Girls & Panzer.” More than 10 years after the work’s broadcast began, the favorable relationship between the community and fans continues to be maintained, and new fans continue to visit.
As the final chapter continues to be released, Oarai Town will continue to move forward with the work. The warm welcome from each shop in the shopping street, tourism facilities, and community residents is the greatest charm of this sacred site.
When planning a sacred site pilgrimage, use the spots, access methods, and etiquette introduced in this article to achieve a fulfilling visit to Oarai Town. By visiting with love for the work and respect for the community, you will gain a deeper experience.
Oarai Town is simultaneously a special place for GalPan fans and a charming tourist destination with beautiful seas and rich food culture. Through sacred site pilgrimage, fully enjoy both the work’s world and the town’s charm.
Reference Information:
- Oarai Town Tourism Association official website: Latest event information and tourism maps
- Girls & Panzer official website: Work information and merchandise information
- Oarai Town Chamber of Commerce: Sacred site pilgrimage information and shopping street maps
We wish you a wonderful sacred site pilgrimage experience in Oarai Town. Panzer Vor!
