Toride, Japan
Region: Ibaraki
Geographic Coordinates: 35.911500, 140.050000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Toride, Japan has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The rainy season typically occurs in June and July, while typhoon season lasts from August to September.
Population: 103908
Language: Japanese
Toride is a small city located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. The city is situated approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Tokyo and has a population of around 200, 000 people. Toride is known for its beautiful parks, Historical landmarks and traditional Japanese culture. One of the most popular attractions in Toride is the Tsukuba Mountain Range. The range offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and attracts many hikers and nature enthusiasts. Another popular attraction in Toride is the Kikkoman Soy Sauce Factory.
Visitors can take a tour of the factory to learn about how soy sauce is made and even sample some freshly brewed soy sauce. Toride also has several beautiful parks that are perfect for picnics or leisurely strolls. One such park is Sakuragawa Park, Which features cherry blossom trees that bloom in springtime, Creating a stunning display of pink flowers. Another notable park in Toride is Kasumigaura Park, Which offers scenic views of Lake Kasumigaura. For those interested in history, Toride has several historic landmarks worth visiting.
The most famous landmark in the city is probably Kikkoman Castle Ruins, Which dates back to the 15th century and was once home to powerful samurai lords. Other historic sites include Oyama Shrine, Which honors one of Japan’s most famous military commanders; and Tougane Shrine, Which features beautifully preserved traditional Japanese architecture. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Toride also boasts a thriving food scene with numerous restaurants serving up delicious local cuisine such as soba noodles made from buckwheat flour or tempura seafood dishes using fresh catch from nearby waters.
Overall, Whether you’re interested in hiking through scenic mountain ranges or immersing yourself into traditional Japanese culture by visiting historic landmarks or sampling local cuisine – there’s something for everyone to enjoy while exploring this charming little city called Toride!
Notable Landmarks and Tourist Attractions in Toride, Japan
- Toride Castle Ruins – Built during the Edo period, now a park with cherry blossom trees
- Tsukuba Botanical Garden – Houses over 3,000 species of plants from around the globe
- Jukkoku Pass – Offers panoramic vistas of Mount Tsukuba and its surrounding landscapes
- Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum – Learn about soy sauce production and history, taste different types
- Amabiki Kannon Shrine – Stunning architecture dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy
- Kasama Inari Shrine – Known for its red torii gates and fox statues
- Oyama Rice Terraces – Breathtaking views during rice planting season in spring or harvest season in autumn
- Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium – Features various marine animals including dolphins, sea turtles, penguins, and sharks
- Toride Station Plaza Shopping Center – Shopping opportunities with various shops selling clothing items, jewelry, gifts, etc.
- Toride City Cultural Hall – Hosts concerts, plays, musicals, etc.
- Manufacturing: Toride boasts a robust manufacturing industry, with companies specializing in electronic components, machinery, and automotive parts.
- Agriculture: The city is also renowned for its agricultural industry, particularly the cultivation of rice and vegetables.
- Retail: Local residents can enjoy several shopping centers and department stores located throughout Toride.
- Hospitality: Tourists visiting the area can take advantage of numerous hotels and restaurants situated within the city.
- Healthcare: Residents have access to several hospitals and medical clinics providing healthcare services within Toride.
- Education: The city is home to various schools and universities, including Ibaraki University’s Faculty of Engineering.
- Logistics: Given its proximity to Tokyo, Toride serves as a vital logistics hub for companies transporting goods across Japan.
- The Battle of Toride: In 1472, forces led by Ota Dokan and Uesugi Akisada fought in the Battle of Toride. Ota Dokan emerged victorious and later established Edo Castle.
- Tokugawa Ieyasu: The founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate is believed to have visited Toride during his travels across Japan.
- Katsu Kaishu: A prominent figure in Japanese history, Katsu Kaishu spent some time in Toride as a young man.
- Takeda Shingen: A famous daimyo from the Sengoku period is said to have stayed at a temple in Toride during one of his military campaigns.
- Higuchi Ichiyo: A renowned female writer from Meiji-era Japan lived and worked as a teacher in Toride before her untimely death at age 24.
- Modernization efforts: During the Meiji Restoration period (1868-1912), several modernization projects were undertaken in Toride including construction of railways and roads connecting it to other parts of Japan.
- Cultural festivals: Every year, several cultural festivals are held in Toride including an annual fireworks festival that attracts thousands of visitors from across Japan.
- Toride Art Museum: This museum showcases a collection of modern and contemporary Japanese art.
- Kasama Nichido Museum of Art: Located just outside of Toride, this museum features a collection of Japanese ceramics and pottery.
- Hokusai Museum: This museum is dedicated to the works of the famous Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai.
- Tsukuba Space Center: A must-visit for space enthusiasts, this center features exhibits on Japan’s space program and interactive displays.
- Ibaraki Nature Museum: This museum explores the natural history and biodiversity of Ibaraki Prefecture through exhibits and interactive displays.
- Shiroi Koibito Park: Located in nearby Sapporo, this park is dedicated to Hokkaido’s famous chocolate-covered cookies.
- Tsuchiura Fireworks Festival Memorial Hall: This hall commemorates the Tsuchiura Fireworks Festival, one of Japan’s largest fireworks displays held annually in nearby Tsuchiura City.
- Jukkoku Pass Observatory Tower: Offering panoramic views over Ibaraki Prefecture, this tower is located atop Jukkoku Pass on the border between Toride City and neighboring Tone Town.
- Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car & Ropeway Station – Visitors can take a cable car or ropeway up Mount Tsukuba for stunning views over Ibaraki Prefecture from its summit at 877 meters above sea level.
- Narita International Airport – As one of Tokyo’s two main international airports Narita offers easy access to destinations throughout Japan as well as other parts Asia including China, South Korea or Taiwan.
- Toride SC – a football (soccer) club founded in 1976 that plays in the Kanto Soccer League.
- Tsukuba University American Football Club – a college football team based in Toride that participates in the Tokyo Big6 Football League.
- Toride Junior Basketball Club – a youth basketball club established in 1989 that has produced several players who went on to play for professional teams.
- Ibaraki Golden Golds – a baseball team that played in the independent Baseball Challenge League from 2007 to 2010 before disbanding due to financial difficulties.
- Juntendo University Volleyball Club – a college volleyball team based in Toride that competes at the top level of Japanese university volleyball.
Note: This information might not be up-to-date as my knowledge is limited to what has been fed into my database by humans through texts available on the internet.
- Toride Cherry Blossom Festival – This festival is held annually in April when the cherry blossom trees bloom.
- Toride Autumn Festival – Takes place every November and features traditional Japanese music performances, food stalls, and a parade.
- Tsukuba Expo – A large-scale international exhibition that was held in Tsukuba Science City near Toride in 1985.
- Oyama Shrine Festival – A two-day festival held every year on May 5th and 6th at the Oyama Shrine.
- Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) – Celebrated on March 3rd to pray for the health and happiness of young girls.
- Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) – Celebrated on July 7th to commemorate the meeting of two stars separated by the Milky Way River according to Japanese folklore.
- New Year’s Day celebrations – January first is celebrated as a national holiday across Japan with various customs such as visiting temples or shrines for Hatsumode (first visit), eating traditional foods like mochi rice cakes or soba noodles, watching sunrise at a scenic spot etc.
- Toride Tonkatsu – a local specialty of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. Popular restaurants that serve this dish include Tonkatsu Yamamoto and Katsukichi.
- Ramen – a Japanese noodle soup dish that is popular all over Japan. Well-known ramen shops in Toride include Menya Noodle House and Ramen Yoroiya.
- Sushi – fresh seafood is abundant in Japan, making sushi a must-try dish for visitors to the country. Recommended sushi restaurants in Toride are Sushikura and Sushi Ichi.
- Yakitori – skewered grilled chicken is another popular dish in Japan, often served with various sauces or seasonings. Recommended yakitori spots in Toride are Yakitori Yururi and Yakitori Izakaya Hikari.
- Okonomiyaki – a savory pancake-like dish made with various ingredients such as cabbage, meat, seafood or noodles mixed into the batter before being cooked on a hot griddle or grill plate. A few places to try okonomiyaki in Toride are Okonomiyaki Isshin and Chibo Okonomiyaki Restaurant.
- Toride Central Park – a large park with a playground, picnic areas, walking trails, and a pond for fishing.
- Kasumigaura Sports Park – a sports complex with facilities for soccer, baseball, tennis, and track and field.
- Teganuma Shinsui Plaza – a park with walking trails around the Teganuma lake.
- Toride Citizen’s Gymnasium – an indoor sports facility with basketball courts and volleyball courts.
- Tsukuba Botanical Garden – a garden with over 3,000 species of plants from around the world.
- Koga Golf Club – an 18-hole golf course located in nearby Koga City.
- Ibaraki Nature Museum – a museum that showcases the natural history of Ibaraki Prefecture through exhibits on geology, flora and fauna.
- Toride Cultural Center – hosts various cultural events such as concerts and theatrical performances throughout the year.
