Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi-Omiya City is known as the model location for the popular anime “Non Non Biyori,” and many anime fans visit for pilgrimage to sacred sites. Surrounded by rich nature and clear streams, this region features rural landscapes that perfectly match the anime’s world, making it a valuable spot where visitors can experience the work’s setting firsthand. This article provides a detailed explanation of Hitachi-Omiya City’s attractions from the perspective of sacred site pilgrimage and comprehensively introduces tourist spots and gourmet information.
The Relationship Between “Non Non Biyori” and Hitachi-Omiya City
“Non Non Biyori” is a manga work by Att and is highly popular as a daily life anime set in a rural branch school. Ibaraki Prefecture’s Hitachi-Omiya City is considered one of the model settings for the work, with motifs of landscapes and buildings appearing in the series scattered throughout various locations in the city.
The Work’s World and the Charm of Hitachi-Omiya City
Hitachi-Omiya City is located in the northwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, with two clear streams—the Kuji River and the Naka River—flowing through a nature-rich region. The city was born on October 16, 2004, from the merger of Omiya Town, Yamamoto Town, Miwa Village, Ogawa Village, and Gozenzan Village, and is known as a place of “mountain beauty and water clarity.” The clear streams where sweetfish and salmon swim upstream, the spreading rural landscape, and scattered satoyama (foothills) are precisely the world of “Non Non Biyori.”
About 40,000 people live in the city, where peaceful time flows away from urban bustle. This environment embodies the “charm of rural life” depicted in the work and provides healing and nostalgia to visitors.
Main Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots in Hitachi-Omiya City
Former Kose Elementary School (Abandoned)
One of the model locations for the branch school appearing in the work. Hitachi-Omiya City has several abandoned schools and small-scale schools, with buildings that capture the work’s atmosphere remaining. The ruins of small schools scattered throughout areas like Kamiose and Konuki districts are must-see spots for anime fans.
Rural Landscape and Farm Roads
The greatest charm of Hitachi-Omiya City is the vast rural landscape like that appearing in the work. Particularly in areas such as Kamimuroda, Shimomuroda, Teruda, and Teruyama, beautiful agricultural village scenery spreads across the four seasons. Spring’s fresh greenery, summer’s lush rice plants, autumn’s golden rice fields, and winter’s quiet snowy landscape each reveal different faces.
Kuji River and Naka River Clear Streams
Clear streams that evoke the river-playing scenes from the work flow through the city. The Kuji and Naka Rivers have good water quality and are busy in summer with sweetfish fishing and river play. In riverside areas like Tatsunoiguchi and Kunisada, you can enjoy beautiful gorge scenery.
Yamamoto Freshwater Fish Hall
A small aquarium featuring freshwater fish inhabiting the Kuji River. As a facility where you can learn about the region’s natural environment, it’s an ideal spot to stop by during sacred site pilgrimages. With exhibits enjoyable for everyone from children to adults, you can experience the rural everyday life depicted in the work.
Detailed Tourism Guide to Hitachi-Omiya City
Hanatate Natural Park
Hanatate Natural Park is a representative natural park of Hitachi-Omiya City and is a popular spot where cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom profusely in spring. Positioned at a high elevation, the view from the observation deck overlooking the city is spectacular. Hiking courses are well-maintained, allowing you to enjoy natural walks.
The park features playgrounds and camping grounds, making it popular with families. Autumn’s foliage is beautiful, and it’s worth visiting throughout the four seasons. It’s an ideal place to spend leisurely time and relax while experiencing the world of “Non Non Biyori.”
Funa Natto Factory Tour
“Funa Natto,” famous as a specialty product of Hitachi-Omiya City, is an established natto maker with over 100 years of history. The factory tour allows you to learn the traditional natto-making process, and you can purchase freshly made natto.
Ibaraki Prefecture ranks at the top nationally in natto production, and Hitachi-Omiya City inherits this tradition. Natto made with local soybeans is rich in flavor and popular as a souvenir.
Gozenzan Dam Surroundings
The Gozenzan district features a large-scale dam, with the surrounding area serving as a nature-rich recreation zone. You can enjoy fishing and boating around the dam lake, while spring cherries and autumn foliage create beautiful scenery.
The dam’s observation deck offers magnificent views and is popular as a photography spot. Nearby hot spring facilities allow you to relieve travel fatigue.
Historical and Cultural Spots
Hitachi-Omiya City has many prefecture-designated cultural properties, with historical temples and shrines scattered throughout. There are temples associated with Saint Shinran, offering elements for history enthusiasts to enjoy. In areas like Kitashioji, Minami-shioji, and Kitamachi, old streets and historical buildings remain.
Gourmet Information in Hitachi-Omiya City
Shioji-ya Shokudo
A popular local restaurant where you can enjoy simple, old-fashioned ramen. It’s well-regarded among tourists visiting Hitachi-Omiya City, known for its nostalgic taste. Located in the Kitashioji district, it’s a beloved establishment among locals.
Cabaya Golf Club Restaurant
At the golf club in the Kunisada district, you can enjoy golfing while dining. Dishes made with Ibaraki Prefecture ingredients are provided, and golf course usage tickets are popular as hometown tax return gifts.
Cuisine Using Local Ingredients
In Hitachi-Omiya City, you can enjoy dishes made with sweetfish and river fish from the Kuji and Naka Rivers, as well as locally-grown vegetables and rice. At roadside stations and agricultural direct sales shops, you can purchase fresh local ingredients. Particularly in areas like Akita, Ishizawa, and Uruno, farm-operated restaurants and direct sales shops are scattered throughout.
Practical Advice for Sacred Site Pilgrimages
Access Methods
Car access is most convenient to Hitachi-Omiya City. From the Tokyo area, use the Joban Expressway and travel about 30 minutes from Naka IC or Hitachi-Minita IC. If using public transportation, the Suigun Line’s Hitachi-Omiya Station is the nearest station.
From the station, you’ll use local buses or rental cars, but since sacred site pilgrimage spots are scattered throughout the city, traveling by car is most efficient.
Recommended Pilgrimage Routes
For a one-day course, it’s recommended to visit tourist spots around the city center in the morning and tour rural and riverside areas in the afternoon. A popular route involves enjoying views at Hanatate Natural Park, then driving through rural areas like Kamimurata, Ogura, and Nagata, finishing at Yamamoto Freshwater Fish Hall.
If you can stay two days, spending the first day visiting major tourist spots in the city and the second day touring surrounding natural spots and hot springs makes for a more fulfilling trip.
Photography Etiquette and Precautions
When taking photos during sacred site pilgrimages, it’s important to consider the lives of local residents. Particularly around schools and private homes, be careful about privacy and don’t enter properties without permission.
Rice paddies and fields are important workplaces for farmers. When using farm roads, be considerate not to interfere with farm work, and always take your trash with you. Maintaining good relationships with local people is key to enjoying sacred sites for a long time.
Accommodation Information
There are guesthouses and hot spring accommodations within Hitachi-Omiya City. The surrounding Mito and Naka cities have many business hotels, which you can use as a base. For those wanting to spend relaxed time in nature, campgrounds and cottages in the city are also recommended.
Seasonal Enjoyment of Hitachi-Omiya City
Spring (March–May)
Spring is cherry blossom season. Cherry blossoms bloom profusely at Hanatate Natural Park and throughout the city. The rural landscape preparing for rice planting is beautiful, and fresh greenery dazzles. In areas like Takasu and Higashino, you can also enjoy wild mountain cherries.
Summer (June–August)
Summer is river-play season. The Kuji and Naka Rivers open for sweetfish fishing, bustling with many anglers. Rural landscapes with lush green rice plants swaying in the breeze are precisely like the summer scenes in “Non Non Biyori.”
Autumn (September–November)
Autumn is harvest season, when golden rice fields glow beautifully. Fall foliage is also stunning, with colorful autumn scenery enjoyed in mountainous areas. It’s also a season with abundant local delicious ingredients like new rice and autumn vegetables.
Winter (December–February)
Winter features quiet rural landscapes. Snow occasionally falls, and snow-covered satoyama landscapes are fantastical. With clear air, it’s ideal for stargazing. It’s recommended to spend leisurely time warming up in hot springs.
Hometown Tax and Community Revitalization
Hitachi-Omiya City offers abundant hometown tax return gifts. Multiple return items are available, including the local specialty Funa Natto, fresh vegetables and rice, and golf course usage tickets. These are handled by major sites like Satofuru and JRE MALL Hometown Tax, allowing support for Hitachi-Omiya City from afar.
Supporting the region through hometown taxation is one important means of preserving sacred sites. As anime fans, consider contributing to the region not just through visits but also in these ways.
Combined Tourism with Surrounding Areas
When visiting Hitachi-Omiya City, combining it with nearby tourist attractions makes for a more fulfilling trip.
Mito City
Mito, the prefectural capital, has abundant attractions including Kairakuen and Mito Art Hall. About 40 minutes by car from Hitachi-Omiya City, it’s enjoyable even as a day trip.
Fukuroda Falls (Daigo Town)
One of Japan’s three famous waterfalls, Fukuroda Falls is located about 30 minutes north of Hitachi-Omiya City. The waterfall’s beautiful appearance through the four seasons is a must-see, particularly the frozen cascade in winter is magnificent.
Naka City and Hitachinaka City
These cities on the Pacific side offer ocean delicacies. The nationally-famous nemophila and kochia of the National Hitachi Seaside Park are well-known and worth visiting seasonally.
Interaction with Local Residents
Interacting with local residents is one of the highlights of visiting Hitachi-Omiya City. At roadside stations and direct sales shops, you have opportunities to converse with local farmers. Interactions with warm-hearted local people offer valuable experiences unavailable in urban areas.
Locals are proud that their region is recognized as the model for “Non Non Biyori.” By treating them with courtesy and gratitude, deeper exchanges develop.
Future and Tourism Promotion of Hitachi-Omiya City
Hitachi-Omiya City positions anime tourism as one pillar of community revitalization and undertakes various initiatives. It aims to achieve sustainable community development while balancing natural environment conservation with tourism development.
In various districts throughout the city like Kamiiwase, Kitatomita, and Kyuryu, tourism resource development utilizing each area’s characteristics is progressing. Moving forward, systems welcoming “Non Non Biyori” fans and other tourists warmly will continue to be established.
Conclusion: Experience the World of “Non Non Biyori” in Hitachi-Omiya City
Ibaraki Prefecture’s Hitachi-Omiya City is a precious sacred site where you can experience the world of “Non Non Biyori.” Beautiful rural landscapes, clear river flows, and interactions with warm-hearted local people provide healing time that makes you forget urban bustle.
Beyond sacred site pilgrimages, Hitachi-Omiya City offers diverse ways to enjoy itself—nature tourism, gourmet experiences, and historical exploration. Please visit once and experience the special moment where the anime’s world and reality intersect. Beautiful landscapes through the four seasons await you.
When visiting, remember to be considerate of the region and follow etiquette, contributing to the preservation of this wonderful sacred site. May your memories in Hitachi-Omiya City add special color to your life.
