“Kamine Park” is a multi-purpose park located on Mt. Kamine in Hitachi City (Ibaraki Prefecture) that makes the most of the park’s hilly terrain.
It features many attractions—including a zoo, an amusement park, and a local history museum—where visitors can enjoy sightseeing, recreation, and learning.
What Is Kamine Park? A Famous Cherry Blossom Spot with a Panoramic View of Hitachi City
Kamine Park is a multi-purpose park that opened in 1953 (Showa 28). From the observation deck at the park’s summit, you can gaze out over the mountains, the sea, and the cityscape of Hitachi. Kamine Park is also famous as a cherry blossom spot, having been selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.”With approximately 1,000 cherry trees of about 25 varieties planted there, the entire park is bathed in a shade of pink come spring.
Kamine Park is home to a reference tree used to monitor the blooming dates and peak bloom of cherry blossoms in Hitachi City.
With attractions such as a zoo, an amusement park, a leisure park, and a local history museum, you might not be able to see everything in a single day.
Also, the “Hitachi Andon Festival” is held every summer. Children’s drawings are turned into andon lanterns, and the sight of them illuminating the night sky is truly magical.
Kamine Zoo | Get Up Close with the Animals! Admission Fees & Hours
Kamine Zoo is a facility whose motto is “A zoo where you enter having fun and leave having learned something.”You can see animals such as elephants, giraffes, and lions. There’s also a petting corner where you can interact with guinea pigs, which is popular with children. The city’s bird, the cormorant, is also on display. This is a tribute to the traditional cormorant fishing techniques that have been passed down in Hitachi City.
By the way, although it’s only available in the summer, there’s also an event called “Night Zoo” where the park stays open until 9:00 p.m. You can observe the animals up close as they become more active from dusk into the night—a side of them you don’t usually get to see.
The park is closed every Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, the park will be closed the following day). However, the park remains open during spring break, April, May, and summer break. The park is also closed on December 31 and January 1.
- March–October (Summer): 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Last admission at 3:45 PM)
- November–February (Winter): 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Last admission at 3:15 p.m.)
Admission is 520 yen for adults and 100 yen for children. Annual passes are also available. The app version costs 1,200 yen for adults and 500 yen for children, while the physical card version costs 1,250 yen for adults and 550 yen for children.
Reference: Hitachi City Kamine Zoo
Kamine Amusement Park and Kamine Leisure Land | Admission Fees & Hours
There are two types of leisure facilities. The site features two amusement parks with distinct atmospheres located on the same grounds. Kamine Amusement Park is a gentle, family-friendly facility designed for young children and toddlers. Kamine Leisure Land takes advantage of its location on a mountain hilltop to offer a variety of thrill rides that both adults and children can enjoy.
With its Showa-era retro vibe, this facility makes for great photo opportunities.
Like the zoo, the park is closed every Monday (if Monday is a holiday, it will be closed the following day). However, there are no closures during spring break, April, May, or summer break. The park is also closed on December 31 and January 1.
The operating hours for the amusement park and leisure land are as follows:
- March–October (Summer): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- November–February (Winter): 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Admission to the amusement park is free. Admission to the Leisure Land is 450 yen for adults and 200 yen for children.
However, ride tickets (120 yen each) are required to ride the attractions.
Reference: Kamine Amusement Park
Hitachi City Local History Museum | Experience Hitachi’s History Through Local Traditions
The building located at the entrance to Kamine Zoo and Kamine Amusement Park is the Local History Museum.
As the name suggests, the museum features exhibits on Hitachi’s history and culture, changes in its industries, and materials related to the daily lives and festivals of its people. It introduces the history of “Hitachi Fūryū-mono,” which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and displays models of festival floats.
Admission is free, and the museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.). The museum is closed during the year-end and New Year holidays, on Mondays, and for temporary closures due to facility maintenance.
Reference: Hitachi City Local History Museum
Access to Kamine Park and Parking
By Train
Take the Ibaraki Kotsu Bus from “Hitachi” Station on the JR Joban Line for about 10 minutes and get off at the “Kamine Park Exit” bus stop.
By Car
From the Hitachi Chuo Interchange on the Joban Expressway, take the Hitachi Toll Road and Prefectural Route 36. Turn left at the second traffic light (National Route 6) and drive toward Iwaki for about 3 minutes. There are signs directing you to Kamine Park.
There is parking for approximately 800 vehicles.
Summary | Enjoy a full day of fun and learning at Kamine Park
We’ve introduced Kamine Park, which makes use of the hilly terrain to offer a panoramic view of downtown Hitachi.
In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, and in summer, the traditional paper lanterns illuminate the park, creating a magical scene.
At the zoo, you can not only see a variety of animals but also enjoy a petting zoo that’s popular with children.
Another unique feature is that the same complex houses both an amusement park and a leisure park.
The amusement park features gentle rides suitable for young children, while the Leisure Land offers a variety of thrill rides that both adults and children can enjoy.
At the Local History Museum, you can learn about the city’s history and culture.
Why not pay a visit on your day off?