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Reasons Why Relying Solely on Your Car Navigation System Can Lead to Traffic Jams
Nakaminato Fish Market is located along National Route 245 (Oarai Street), and almost all car navigation systems will guide you via Route R245. However, on weekends and during peak times, the R245 from the vicinity of Gusto and Yamaya to the market entrance can experience heavy traffic. It's not uncommon for it to take over 60 minutes just to enter the parking lot due to the mix of turning vehicles and pedestrians.
In this article, we will explain how to enjoy the fish market while avoiding traffic, focusing on the detour routes and parking information provided by the Hitachinaka City Tourism Promotion Division. We will also introduce access via the traffic-free train (Minato Line).
For store information, menus, and walking food tours, please check out the " Nakaminato Fish Market Complete Guide ".
Directions for the Detour Route (Hitachinaka IC → Temporary Parking Lot)
Hitachinaka City officially recommends two detour routes. Both start from the Hitachinaka IC and allow you to bypass the congested section of R245, leading directly to the temporary free parking area.
Common Route: Turn left at the Hitachinaka IC exit intersection → Turn right at the Budano intersection → Turn right at the Jusan Bugyo intersection → Continue straight to the Shiawase Plaza intersection. Here, the route splits into two options.
Route A: Route via the Level Crossing
Continue straight at the Shiawase Plaza intersection → Go straight through the traffic light → Cross the railroad crossing and continue straight at the first traffic light → At the next traffic light, turn diagonally left → You will arrive at the Nakaminato Fishing Port free temporary parking lot. The route is relatively easy to follow, making it a great option for first-time visitors.
Route B: Coastal Route
Turn left at the Shiawase Plaza intersection → Turn right at the end of the road → When you see the sign for "Ibaraki Coast Guard," turn left → Turn right at the first intersection → You will arrive at the free temporary parking lot at Nakaminato Fishing Port. This route is a good alternative if Route A is congested, as it takes you along the coastline.
迂回ルート比較
| ルート | 経由地 | メリット | 注意点 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ルートA（踏切経由） | しあわせプラザ直進→踏切越え | 道がわかりやすい | 踏切の遮断待ちの可能性あり |
| ルートB（海岸線経由） | しあわせプラザ左折→海岸線 | 踏切を回避できる | 曲がり角が多い（看板を目印に） |
Parking Guide
Around the fish market, there are paid parking lots as well as temporary free parking areas. During peak times, the paid parking lots tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend considering the temporary parking or using akippa for your convenience.
Paid Parking Lots (First and Second)
There are two parking lots closest to the market, labeled First and Second. The fees are 100 yen for regular cars (up to 4 hours), 210 yen for shared vehicles, and 340 yen for large vehicles. Please note that the number of parking spaces is limited, and these lots often fill up around 11 AM on weekends and holidays, so we recommend arriving early.
Nakaminato Fishing Port Free Temporary Parking Lot (200 spaces)
This is a temporary parking lot located within the local wholesale market. It can accommodate about 200 vehicles and is just a 3-minute walk to the fish market. Parking is free of charge.
Please note that the area is not open to the public at all times. It is accessible only on Sundays, public holidays, during busy periods such as Golden Week, and around the New Year. The gates open at 10 AM and close at 3 PM, so please ensure you move your vehicle by 3 PM. Opening days may change unexpectedly, so be sure to check the latest information on the Hitachinaka City website.
akippa (Reservation Parking)
If you want to ensure a parking space, we recommend making a reservation in advance with akippa（アキッパ）. There are several parking lots available for reservation around Nakaminato Fish Market. We strongly suggest making your reservations early during Golden Week and the New Year holidays.
駐車場比較
| 駐車場 | 料金 | 台数 | 市場までの距離 | 開放条件 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 有料駐車場（第一・第二） | 普通車100円（4h） | 台数に限りあり | 目の前 | 常時 |
| 無料臨時駐車場（卸売市場敷地） | 無料 | 約200台 | 徒歩約3分 | 日曜祝日・GW・年末等（10:00〜15:00） |
| akippa（予約制） | 場所により異なる | 複数あり | 徒歩圏内 | 事前予約制（常時利用可） |
Crowd Levels by Time of Day
The crowd at the fish market varies significantly depending on the time of your visit. If you're planning to enjoy a meal, we highly recommend arriving between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. After 11:00 AM, lunch lines start to form, and the parking lot begins to fill up.
時間帯別 混雑・駐車場状況（土日祝の目安）
| 時間帯 | 混雑度 | 駐車場 | おすすめ度 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00〜9:00 | 空いている | 余裕あり | 鮮魚購入目的なら最適 |
| 9:00〜11:00 | やや混雑 | 停められる | ★おすすめ 食事目的のベスト時間帯 |
| 11:00〜13:00 | 非常に混雑 | 満車の可能性あり | ランチピーク。可能なら避ける |
| 13:00〜15:00 | やや混雑 | 空き始める | 売り切れメニューに注意 |
| 15:00〜17:00 | 空いている | 余裕あり | 閉店する店舗が多い |
On weekdays, the area is relatively quiet throughout the day. You can easily find parking, so there's no need to worry about traffic congestion. If you want to enjoy shopping at a leisurely pace, visiting on a weekday is highly recommended!
Particularly Busy Times
There are certain times of the year when the area can get particularly crowded. During the following periods, it's essential to use alternative routes and arrive early in the morning.
ピーク時期の混雑度
| 時期 | 混雑度 | 特徴 | 対策 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GW（4月下旬〜5月上旬） | ★★★★★ | ネモフィラ観光客と重なり最大混雑 | 9時前到着 or 電車利用を強く推奨 |
| 年末年始（12月下旬〜1月上旬） | ★★★★★ | 年末の買い出し客で大混雑 | 臨時駐車場活用・迂回路必須 |
| お盆（8月中旬） | ★★★★ | 帰省客・海水浴客で混雑 | 朝一番の到着推奨 |
| ネモフィラシーズン（4月中旬〜5月上旬） | ★★★★ | 海浜公園帰りの立ち寄り客 | 朝に市場→午後に公園の順が有利 |
| 通常の土日祝 | ★★★ | ランチタイムを中心に混雑 | 11時前の到着で対応可 |
| 平日 | ★ | 比較的空いている | 特に対策不要 |
During the Golden Week, many tourists visiting for the nemophila flowers stop by the fish market on their way back from the seaside park, resulting in even more crowds than usual on weekends. Be sure to check the official website for information on the opening days of temporary parking lots and shuttle bus services before your visit.
Access by Train (Avoiding Traffic Completely)
If you want to completely avoid traffic jams, using the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line is your best option. You won't have to worry about finding parking, allowing you to enjoy the market stress-free.
Access via the Minato Line
Transfer at Katsuta Station on the JR Joban Line to the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line, and get off at Nakaminato Station. The journey from Katsuta Station to Nakaminato Station takes about 14 minutes. From Nakaminato Station, it's about a 10-minute walk to the fish market. Enjoy a leisurely stroll while taking in the charming scenery of this port town.
IC cards like Suica and PASMO cannot be used on the Minato Line. Please prepare cash or tickets purchased in advance (such as the Jorudan Mobile Ticket).
"Side Plans for the Nemophila Season"
During the Nemophila season (April to May), a great route is to get off at Nakaminato Station on the Minato Line, enjoy a seafood lunch at the fish market, then return to Nakaminato Station and head to Ajigaura Station. From there, take the free Nemophila shuttle bus to the seaside entrance of the coastal park. This route is efficient and avoids traffic. You can also make the most of your day by using the Minato Line one-day free pass, which includes an entrance ticket!
車 vs 電車 アクセス比較
| 項目 | 車（通常期） | 車（ピーク期） | 電車（湊線） |
|---|---|---|---|
| 所要時間（東京から） | 約2時間 | 3〜4時間（渋滞込み） | 約2.5時間（JR+湊線） |
| 駐車場探し | ほぼ不要 | 非常に困難 | 不要 |
| 費用目安（2名） | 高速代+ガソリン+駐車場100円 | 同左 | JR往復+湊線1日フリー切符700円 |
| ストレス度 | 低い | 非常に高い | なし |
Recommended Visit Plan
Morning Plan (Arrival at 9:00 AM)
Arrive at the market at 9:00 AM → First, take a stroll around the market to check out the menu (15 minutes) → Enjoy a seafood rice bowl lunch around 9:30 AM (no waiting in line) → Explore and buy souvenirs → Head back around 11:30 AM. There’s plenty of parking available, allowing you to finish your meal before the lunch rush. This plan is also perfect if you want to visit Hitachi Seaside Park or Aqua World Oarai in the afternoon!
Afternoon Plan (from 1:30 PM)
This plan suggests arriving after 1:30 PM to avoid the lunch peak. The parking lot will start to have more available spaces, making it easier to park. However, please note that some menu items may be sold out, so it's recommended to aim for places that are open later, such as Kuraku (until 7:30 PM) or Kobune (until 6:30 PM).
The best order for the Nemophila season is to visit the fish market first thing in the morning, followed by Hitachi Seaside Park in the afternoon. If you do it the other way around, you might get stuck in traffic at the park's parking lot and then face the crowds at the fish market, which is the worst-case scenario.