Major city · Japan
Tsuchiura土浦
Half a day: walk the castle ruins and the lakefront, then move on. One night only if you are cycling around Lake Kasumigaura.
Tsuchiura is a quiet JR Joban Line stop in southern Ibaraki, on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura (Japan's second-largest lake). The city has a small castle ruin, a few old merchant streets and a lakeside park. Most travellers use it as a lunch break between Tokyo and Mito or as a base for cycling the lake loop. It is not a destination on its own.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold wind off the lake)
- Airports
- NRT · HND
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tsuchiura110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tsuchiura, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNRT Narita (Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then JR Joban Line to Tsuchiura; about 2.5 h).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre (station to castle ruins is 15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥350–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealRamen or soba¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- BeerBeer (can at konbini)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Museum or sight ticketCastle ruins entryFree
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NRT Narita (Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then JR Joban Line to Tsuchiura; about 2.5 h) · HND Haneda (Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then JR to Tokyo Station and Joban Line; about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tsuchiura: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre (station to castle ruins is 15 min). Bicycle rental available at the station area for the lake loop. Local buses cover the lake shore but are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
JR Joban Line to Arakawaoki, then Tsukuba Express; about 30 min
Tsukuba Space Center and Mount Tsukuba hiking.
Door to door: About 40 min
JR Joban Line direct, about 30 min
Kairaku-en garden and the art museum.
Ushiku
goDoor to door: About 20 min
JR Joban Line, about 10 min
Ushiku Daibutsu, one of the world's tallest bronze Buddha statues.
Hitachi
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
JR Joban Line, about 1 h
Hitachi Seaside Park (flowers and coast).
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Tsuchiura Station
Business hotels and a few minshuku; convenient for trains and the lake.
Lake Kasumigaura shore
Ryokan and guesthouses with lake views; better for cyclists.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–15,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| JR Joban Line from Ueno (Tokyo) to Tsuchiura, one way2 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥5,000 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × ¥1,500 · check | ¥3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,400 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,200 per person per day, bed included | ¥48,400≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥350–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ramen or soba | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxicheck | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Bicycle rental, one daycheck | ¥1,500 (≈ US$11) |
| Castle ruins entry | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The fireworks festival in October draws huge crowds: book accommodation months ahead.
- Lake Kasumigaura cycling loop is about 100 km (62 mi): plan for a full day or two half-days.Lake Kasumigaura cycling loop is about 62 mi (100 km): plan for a full day or two half-days.
- Most shops and restaurants close by 20:00; late dinner options are limited.Most shops and restaurants close by 8:00 PM; late dinner options are limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Tsuchiura土浦
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Tokyo; most other countries have consulates in Tokyo. Nearest consulate for emergencies: check.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ueno (Tokyo) → Tsuchiura, JR Joban Line: about ¥2,500 (≈ US$17), about 1 h (check)
- Tsuchiura → Tsukuba, JR + Tsukuba Express: about ¥800 (≈ US$6), about 30 min (check)
- Tsuchiura → Mito, JR Joban Line: about ¥1,000 (≈ US$7), about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tsuchiura. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold wind off the lake) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Tsuchiura Castle ruins, Lake Kasumigaura cycling route, and the fireworks festival.
- Eat pages with last orders (most close by 20:00).
- Bicycle rental details and lake loop map.
- Golden Week and fireworks festival capacity alerts.
Sources
Ask about Tsuchiura
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