Omitama City, formed by the merger of Ogawa Town, Minosato Town, and Tamasato Village in 2006, is located in the central part of the prefecture. The city has Ibaraki Airport, which is the gateway to the sky, and easy access to Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring-Ring Road. I set out on a cycling tour because there are rare shrines in Omitama City.
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Departing from “Sky Station SOL・LA・LA”
SOL・LA・LA is a place that serves as a hub for exchange, with a direct sales area for agricultural products, restaurants, and a small shop run by local residents.
Dairy farming is thriving in Omitama City, and the city boasts the highest milk production in Ibaraki Prefecture.
“Omitan”, the mascot character of Omitama City, is based on the image of a calf, which represents the dairy industry, and an airplane, which represents Ibaraki Airport.
Cycle racks are also available. It is also a cycle support station.
“Yogurt House” in SOL・LA・LA also sells yogurt directly from the factory.
I had a drink of yogurt, which is unique to Omitama. It was delicious, with a refreshing yet rich taste!
There is a dairy products processing facility in the back of the factory, which can be viewed from the outside.
After the tour, I left for cycling.
There was a goat near the entrance.
Ibaraki Airport
Opened in 2010. It is the gateway to the sky for both domestic and international flights. Although it was a weekday, many cars were parked.
I stopped by Ibaraki Airport Park. Located right next to the Ibaraki Airport Terminal, it is a place where many airplane fans visit.
There are displays and benches, so you can enjoy watching airplanes to the fullest.
I headed for our destination while listening to the sound of airplanes.
Tetsugi Shrine
About 3km south of Ibaraki Airport. You will arrive at Tetsugi Shrine.
This is a shrine where the legend of kappa (water imps) still remains, and is said to cure hand diseases.
In the legend, a lord cuts off the hand of a kappa, and the place where the hand was cut off remains as “Teubai (Hand claimed) Bridge” in Serizawa, Namegata city.
There was a guide for “Goshuin” (red ink stamp) in the hall of worship. Goshuin is available on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Higiri Jizoson
I came to Higiri Jizoson located in Shimobaba, Omitama City.
It is the only Higiri Jizo in Ibaraki, and is said to grant wishes with a fixed date.
It is a standing stone statue of Jizo, and the hall is located at the top of a burial mound, which can also be visited.
Kashima Railway Kiha 432
A railroad car was seen on the grounds of a hospital not far from Hgiri Jizoson.
It was used by Kashima Railway until March 2007.
Ruins of the former Kashima Railway, Hitachi-Ogawa Station
The site where Kashima Railway station was supposedly located has been turned into a bus terminal.
Confectionery Workshop nagai
I stopped by “Confectionery Workshop nagai” located near the former station site.
It was established in 1947. There was also a bike rack.
Inside the shop, there was a used station signboard.
There were many Japanese and Western sweets on display, and there was also an eat-in space.
I decided to eat in. I bought “Yasuragi (relaxed) Pudding,” “Ume (Japanese plum) Soda” and “Sora (sky) cookie”.
“Yasuragi Pudding” is made from milk and eggs produced in Omitama.
It has a rich yet refreshing taste. It was smooth and delicious.
“Ume Soda” is a refreshing soda made with homemade ume syrup, perfect for the coming season.
Gate of the former Nihari-gun Tamari Jinjo High School
The elementary school gate, which was located on the current Tamasato General Branch Office site from 1909 to 1962, was relocated to Omitama Minka-en (House museum) in 2002.
The red bricks are eye-catching.
Beyond the slope, I could see Kasumigaura.
Mimi-mori Shrine
This is the only shrine in Japan dedicated to the god of the ear.
It originates from the legend of the ear disease of Princess Chiyo, granddaughter of Taira no Shigemori, at the end of the Heian period (794-1185), and is said to attract worshippers from all over the country.
Many ema (votive picture tablet) with strings threaded through both ends of a bamboo tube were dedicated in the hall of worship.
Atelier Petit Bois
Opened in 2018. The premises, based on the concept of a small forest, have a relaxed atmosphere.
They make their sweets with ingredients produced in Ibaraki Prefecture.
We decided to take a break at the eat-in space.
Two kinds of baumkuchen, “Rice Flour Baum Minori” and “Gâteau à la broche,” and a coffee set.
The rice flour is ground in-house from Koshihikari rice produced in Omitama City. It had a fluffy texture and elegant taste.
Gâteau à la broche was delicious with the aroma of brown sugar.
I also had the seasonal parfait “Strawberry Sweets”.
It contained strawberry panna cotta and jelly with strawberry pulp, allowing us to fully enjoy strawberries.
With its refreshing aftertaste, we quickly snacked on it. It was delicious.
After filling our stomachs, we headed back to SOL・LA・LA.
Along the way, I encountered a large cow shed and a field lined with scarecrows, so I was able to enjoy the scenery as well.
The cycling tour ended when we returned to SOL・LA・LA.
Course Introduction
▼Sora no Eki (Sky Station): SOL・LA・LA
https://sol-la-la.city.omitama.lg.jp/index8.html
▼Omi-tama City Tourism Association
http://omitan.net/#googtrans(en)
▼Atelier Petit Bois
https://petitbois.co.jp/
Summary
This was a 40km cycling tour. I chose a route with relatively few cars on it, but it was a varied route with some small ups and downs. It was fun to visit some unusual shrines and taste some sweet treats that are unique to Omitama.
The dairy farming industry is thriving in the area, so it was also memorable to hear the sound of cows.
I hope many cyclists will visit the area along Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road.
