When you think of Ibaraki Prefecture and Hitachinaka City, Hitachi Seaside Park is the most famous.
You probably know that in spring, Nemophila, and in fall, Kochia spread across the entire Miharashi Hill, making it a popular tourist spot not only among Japanese people but also among foreign visitors, right?
Before heading to the hugely popular Hitachi Seaside Park, there’s a spot I highly recommend you stop by.
That place is the “Roasted Sweet Potato Pavilion.”
Hitachinaka City isn’t just famous as a tourist destination—it’s actually also known as a leading producer of sweet potatoes. While there are many shops in the city that sell Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) and roasted sweet potatoes, the Roasted Sweet Potato Pavilion is my top recommendation because it offers the perfect combination of “affordability, variety, and deliciousness.”
The shop is lined with Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) and a wide variety of sweet potato treats
When you enter the shop, you’ll first be offered a free drink.
Next to that is a refrigerator stocked with Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) and roasted sweet potatoes.
There’s also a wide array of products that sweet potato lovers will find irresistible, such as sweet potato chips and “Elementary School Sweet Potatoes” (a play on the traditional “University Sweet Potatoes”). It’s hard to decide which ones to buy, but you’ll be amazed by the prices—so low you’ll feel like you could buy them all.
Lately, due to rising prices, both snacks and vegetables have gotten more expensive, but at the Baked Sweet Potato Shop, every item makes you wonder, “Is this price really okay?”
In particular, while Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) usually has a reputation for being expensive, they sell it with the skin on for just over 100 yen. This was the first time I’d ever seen Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) sold with the skin on. I’m sorry I don’t have a photo—my appetite got the better of me right after I bought it—but please be sure to look for it at the store.
Our top recommendations are the sweet potato chips and sweet potato paste-filled taiyaki
I also highly recommend the sweet potato chips and sweet potato paste-filled taiyaki at the snack corner
Both are sold at surprisingly low prices—when I first saw them, I couldn’t help but look twice, then three times. And it’s not just that they’re cheap; they’re actually really delicious. The slightly warm sweet potato chips have a crispy texture and a gentle sweetness that’s addictive—once you start eating them, they’re gone in the blink of an eye.
The sweet potato-filled taiyaki has a distinct sweet potato flavor—before you know it, you’ll have eaten two.
The sweet potato chips are also sold in bags, so you can take them home. Personally, I recommend heating them in the microwave for about 15 seconds before eating. Warming them slightly brings out the sweetness even more. They also come in a salted variety, which I highly recommend. These are also surprisingly affordable.
It’s not just sweet potatoes! Seasonal vegetables and fruits are surprisingly affordable
Moreover, the appeal of the Baked Sweet Potato Pavilion isn’t limited to sweet potato products alone.
Seasonal vegetables and fruits are also lined up at the store, and these are surprisingly affordable as well.
Recently, I found 2L-sized Quincy melons for 450 yen. They were incredibly sweet and juicy—I couldn’t believe the quality for that price. Since they’re often sold for much more at supermarkets, I end up buying them by the box whenever I find them.
Don’t miss the on-site bakery with fresh-baked bread
Plus, there’s a bakery right on the premises. They offer a wide variety of bread at low prices, so I always end up buying several loaves.
Recommended Itinerary: Baked Sweet Potato Pavilion × Hitachi Seaside Park
My recommended route is to stop by the Baked Sweet Potato Pavilion in the morning, pick up some bread and sweets, and then head to Hitachi Seaside Park.
I feel truly happy strolling through the vast park, enjoying the scenery, and taking time to eat the bread and sweets I bought along the way. It feels a bit like a picnic, and since walking a lot helps burn off the calories from what I’ve eaten, I can enjoy it without any guilt.
Access and Summary
Hitachi Seaside Park and the Baked Sweet Potato Pavilion are only about 10 minutes apart, so be sure to stop by.
You’re sure to be amazed by the low prices—and your shopping cart will definitely be full.
They also offer boxed sets and provide shipping, so this is a great choice for mid-summer gift-giving during this season.
Yakiimo-kan (Okura Shoji)
Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki 2905-2 Mukaino, Mawatari