In this article, we will explain how to navigate traffic and parking, but for information on the best viewing times in 2026, blooming conditions, recommended attire and items to bring, as well as how to get around the park, please refer to " Complete Guide to Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila 2026 | Best Viewing Times, Attire, and Park Navigation ". Be sure to check it out!
The Reason You Get Stuck in Traffic When You Trust Your Car Navigation System
Many car navigation systems will guide you to "Hitachinaka IC," but please avoid it during the Golden Week holiday period.
The National Route 245 leading to the park often experiences heavy traffic, with delays of 1 to 2 hours before you can enter the parking lot. It’s not uncommon for your early morning plans to be disrupted.
Traffic Avoidance Route 1: "Hitachinaka Port IC" (using the Kita-Kanto Expressway)
To avoid traffic congestion, it's best to use the Hitachinaka Port IC.
Route Guidance
- Take the Joban Expressway and exit at "Hitachinaka Port IC."
- Exit towards "Ajigaura/Oarai area (Prefectural Road 6)" (to the left).
- If the seaside parking lot is available, feel free to enter.
- If you can't enter the Kaihin-guchi Parking Lot, head to the West Parking Lot.
This route allows you to completely avoid the traffic ahead and arrive at the parking lot smoothly. While it may be a bit of a detour in distance, the travel time will definitely be shortened.
Avoiding Traffic Route ②: Use "Hitachi Minami-Ota IC" or "Tokai Smart IC" (via Joban Expressway)
If you're coming from the north via the Joban Expressway (from the Hitachi or Iwaki area), we recommend exiting at the Hitachi Minami-Ota IC or the Tokai Smart IC.
Route Guidance
- Exit at "Hitachi Minami-Ota IC" or "Tokai Smart IC" on the Joban Expressway.
- Head south on National Route 245 towards the park.
- Heading to the West Parking Lot
This route allows you to access from the north side of the park, avoiding traffic around the Hitachinaka IC. It is especially recommended for those coming from the Fukushima and Hitachi areas.
Please note: The Tokai Smart IC is for ETC use only. It is accessible for regular cars, light vehicles, and motorcycles, but not for medium-sized, large, or extra-large vehicles.
The correct parking lot is the "West Parking Lot."
There are several parking lots at the park, but considering the access to Mihara Hill (Nemophila Hill) and the balance of capacity, the West Parking Lot is the best option.
Parking fee: Regular car 600 yen/day
Since the number of spaces at the Umihama Parking Lot is limited, it's best for those who can't arrive before 7 AM to aim for the West Parking Lot. The West Parking Lot often has plenty of available spaces even in the 8 AM hour.
【2025 Performance】Parking Lot Congestion Status
During the nemophila season in 2025, we have compiled the parking information that was shared in real-time on the park's official X account (@HitachiKaihin_P).
GW期間中の日別混雑実績
| 日付 | 曜日 | 混雑度 | 駐車場の状況 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/26 | 土 | 混雑 | 10:30で海浜口満車、第3臨時まで開放 |
| 4/27 | 日 | 超混雑 | 10:30で主要駐車場すべて満車、第4臨時まで開放 |
| 4/28 | 月 | 空き | 終日すべて空車（平日） |
| 4/29 | 火祝 | 混雑 | 13時頃に南駐車場満車、第3臨時まで開放 |
| 5/1 | 木 | 空き | 終日すべて空車（平日） |
| 5/3 | 土祝 | 混雑 | 11時で第1臨時満車、第3臨時まで開放 |
| 5/4 | 日 | 超混雑 | 10:30で主要駐車場すべて満車、第4臨時まで開放 |
| 5/5 | 月祝 | 超混雑 | 9:30で南・海浜口満車、第4臨時まで開放 |
2025年5月5日（こどもの日）の時間帯別状況
| 時刻 | 西P | 南P | 海浜口P | 臨時駐車場 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 | ○空車 | ○空車 | △混雑 | 第1・2臨時○ |
| 9:00 | △混雑 | △混雑 | ×満車 | 第1臨時△、第2・3臨時○ |
| 9:30 | △混雑 | ×満車 | ×満車 | 第1臨時×、第2・3臨時○ |
| 10:00 | ×満車 | ×満車 | ×満車 | 第1臨時×、第2臨時△ |
| 11:30以降 | ×満車 | ×満車 | ×満車 | 第1〜3臨時×、第4臨時○ |
What We Can Learn from the Data of 2025
Sundays are the busiest days.
In 2025, April 27 (Sunday), May 4 (Sunday), and May 5 (Monday, holiday) will be extremely crowded, and the 4th temporary parking lot will be opened. By avoiding Sundays, you can significantly reduce the congestion.
Weekdays are surprisingly quiet.
On April 28 (Monday) and May 1 (Thursday), all parking lots were available throughout the day. If you aim for weekdays during Golden Week, you can park without any stress.
The main parking lot fills up by 9:30 AM.
On extremely busy days, both the South Parking Lot and the Seaside Entrance Parking Lot will be full by 9:30 AM. If you arrive in time for the early opening at 7:30 AM, you'll still have plenty of space available.
The West Parking Lot is the easiest to access until the very end.
The West Parking Lot, which can accommodate 2,700 vehicles, has spaces available later than the other parking lots. If you're unsure where to park, head to the West Parking Lot!
The temporary parking lot will be closed in the afternoon.
From around 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the temporary parking lot will gradually close for entry. If you plan to visit in the afternoon, please head to the west parking lot.
Official Crowd Forecast Points for 2026
- The crowds will start to get quite busy from April 18th to 19th, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom on the weekend.
- The period from April 25th to 27th (Friday to Sunday) before Golden Week is expected to be very crowded.
- The best time to visit is from Friday, April 10th to Friday, April 17th, on weekdays. During this period, the cherry blossoms will be about 70% in bloom, making it a great time to enjoy the sights with a "slightly crowded" atmosphere.
- In 2025, the parking lot was fully occupied in late April, but in 2026, it is expected that crowds will start to build up from the weekends in mid-April.
Check the real-time parking situation on our official social media!
The Hitachi Seaside Park Parking Lot [Official] (@HitachiKaihin_P) provides updates on parking availability during the busy seasons for nemophila and kochia.
If the parking lot is full, please head to the temporary parking area.
During busy periods, temporary parking lots will be set up outside the park. A free shuttle bus will operate, so it's no problem if you're parked a little farther away.
Let's check the opening hours!
The regular opening time is 9:30 AM, but during the peak season for nemophila flowers, we have early opening hours, allowing entry from 7:00 or 7:30 AM each year.
In 2026, we expect crowds on the weekends in mid-April as well. If you plan to visit on April 11-12 (Saturday and Sunday), we recommend arriving at the West Parking Lot before 8:30 AM. For weekends after April 18, the best time to arrive is between 6:30 and 7:00 AM to align with the early opening hours.
Benefits of Entering at 7:00 AM
- You can take photos with almost no people around.
- Parking is easy to access.
- In the soft morning light, the blue of the nemophila blooms shines the most beautifully.
- You can leave the park around 10 AM to avoid traffic on your way home.
For detailed opening hours, be sure to check the announcements on the official website of Hitachi Seaside Park.
The parking lot opens 30 minutes before the park opens. Aim to arrive 30 minutes ahead of the opening time.
Avoid traffic on your way back! How to choose the right time to leave the park.
Many visitors tend to follow the pattern of "entering in the morning and staying until early afternoon," so the peak congestion time at the parking lot exit is from 1 PM to 3 PM. If you plan to leave during this time, it may take over 30 minutes just to exit the parking lot.
Recommended Park Exit Plans
Morning Exit Type: Enter at 7:00 AM → Exit at 10:30 AM (Nemophila Focused)
- Photographed in the soft light of early morning.
- Lunch at Nakaminato Fish Market
- Head back before the traffic jam.
After leaving the park at 10:30, you can find information about lunch at Nakaminato Fish Market and nearby hot springs and sightseeing spots in the " Nemophila 2026 Complete Guide ". We hope this helps you plan your return journey!
Full Day Experience: Enter at 9:00 AM → Exit at 4:30 PM (Enjoy other flowers and attractions as well)
- Take your time and relax in the park.
- Spend the peak crowds inside the park.
- Leaving the park in the evening during your free time.