Editing Ibaraki Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{redirect|Ibaraki, Japan|the city in Osaka Prefecture|Ibaraki, Osaka|the town in the same prefecture|Ibaraki, Ibaraki}}
{{Expand Japanese|茨城県|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Ibaraki Prefecture
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|茨城県}}}}
| settlement_type          = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1           = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type      = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info      = {{lang|ja|茨城県}}
| translit_lang1_type1     = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1     = {{lang|ja-Latn|Ibaraki-ken}}
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image 
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/3/2/2/2 
  | image1                  = Kairaku-en, Ibaraki 21.jpg 
  | caption1                 = [[Kairaku-en|Kairaku-en Garden]] 
  | image2                 = Lake Kasumigaura and Mt.Tsukuba,Inashiki-city,Japan.JPG
  | caption2                 = [[Lake Kasumigaura]] and [[Mount Tsukuba|Mt. Tsukuba]]
  | image3                 = Autumn of Fukuroda Falls, Daigo, Ibaraki; November 2016.jpg
  | caption3                 = [[Fukuroda Falls]]<br/>[[Daigo, Ibaraki|Daigo]] town<br/>([[Kuji District, Ibaraki|Kuji District]])
  | image4                  = Ishioka-festival,Wakamatsu-cho,Ishioka-city,Japan.jpg 
  | caption4                 = [[:ja:常陸國總社宮大祭|Ishioka Autumn Traditional Festival]] 
  | image5                 = Rokkakudo seen from the sea (Kitaibaraki City) 2020.jpg
  | caption5                 = [[Rokkakudō (Kitaibaraki)|Rokkakudō of Kitaibaraki]]
  | image6                 = Miharashino Oka (Hitachi Seaside Park) 46.jpg
  | caption6                = [[Hitachi Seaside Park]]
  | image7                 = Mount Tsukuba (9975500704).jpg
  | caption7                 = [[Mount Tsukuba]]
  | image8                 = 水郷潮来あやめ園20230604-IMG 7533.jpg
  | caption8                 = Suigō [[Itako, Ibaraki|Itako]] Iris Garden
  | image9                 = Kashima Shrine main shrine - sept 22 2015.jpg
  | caption9                 = [[Kashima Shrine]]
  | image10                = Natto for sale in Ibaraki Apr 30 2019 04-26PM.jpeg
  | caption10                = [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]] [[Natto]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nyrture.com/blog/ancient-origins-of-natto|title=Natto: Japanese History of a Modern-Day Superfood|date=14 January 2020 |publisher=NYrture, 2020-01-14|access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref>
  }}
| image_flag               = Flag of Ibaraki Prefecture.svg
| flag_size                = 100px
| image_blank_emblem       = Emblem of Ibaraki Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size        = 80px
| blank_emblem_type        = Symbol
| image_map                = Map of Japan with highlight on 08 Ibaraki prefecture.svg
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Japan}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Honshu]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name3        = Ibaraki
| seat_type                = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat                     = [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]]
| parts_type               = Subdivisions
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 7
| p2                       = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 44
| leader_title             = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name              = [[Kazuhiko Ōigawa]]
| area_total_km2           = 6,097.19
| area_water_percent       = 4.8
| area_rank                = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|24th]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 2828086
| population_as_of         = July 1, 2023
| population_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|11th]]
| population_density_km2   = auto
| demographics_type2              = GDP 
| demographics2_footnotes         = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1            = Total
| demographics2_info1   = [[JP¥]] 14,092 billion<br />[[US$]] 129.3 billion (2019)
| iso_code                 = JP-08
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/}}
| module                   = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Ibaraki Prefecture
| bird     = Eurasian [[Skylark]] (''Alauda arvensis'')
| fish     = 
| flower   = [[Rose]] (''Rosa'')
| tree     = [[Ume]] tree (''Prunus mume'')
}}
| population_blank2_title  = Dialect
| population_blank2        = [[Ibaraki dialect]]
| anthem                   = {{interlanguage link|Ibaraki kenmin no uta|ja|茨城県民の歌}}
}}

[[File:Ibaraki Prefectural Office Building 05.jpg|thumb|right|Ibaraki Prefectural Office and Headquarters in Mito]]
{{Nihongo|'''Ibaraki Prefecture'''|茨城県|Ibaraki-ken|{{IPA|ja|i.baꜜ.ɾa.kʲi, i.ba.ɾa.kʲi̥ꜜ.keɴ, i.ba.ɾaꜜ.kʲi̥.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Kantō region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Ibaraki-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia''|page=367}}; "Kantō" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia''|page=479}}.</ref> Ibaraki Prefecture has a population of 2,828,086 (1 July 2023) and has a geographic area of {{convert|6,097.19|km2|sqmi|abbr=off}}. Ibaraki Prefecture borders [[Fukushima Prefecture]] to the north, [[Tochigi Prefecture]] to the northwest, [[Saitama Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Chiba Prefecture]] to the south, and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east.

[[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], the capital, is the largest city in Ibaraki Prefecture. Other major cities include [[Tsukuba, Ibaraki|Tsukuba]], [[Hitachi, Ibaraki|Hitachi]], and [[Hitachinaka, Ibaraki|Hitachinaka]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Mito" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia''||page=642}}.</ref> Ibaraki Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern [[Pacific]] coast to the northeast of [[Tokyo]], and is part of the [[Greater Tokyo Area]], the most populous [[metropolitan area]] in the world. Ibaraki Prefecture features [[Lake Kasumigaura]], the second-largest lake in Japan; the [[Tone River]], Japan's second-longest river and largest [[drainage basin]]; and [[Mount Tsukuba]], one of the most famous mountains in Japan. Ibaraki Prefecture is also home to [[Kairaku-en]], one of the [[Three Great Gardens of Japan]], and is an important center for the [[martial art]] of [[Aikido]].

==History==
{{See also|Historic Sites of Ibaraki Prefecture}}
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as [[Hitachi Province]]. In 1871, the name of the province became Ibaraki, and in 1875 it became its current size, by annexing some districts belonging to the extinct [[Shimōsa Province]].
[[File:KamitakatsuKaizuka.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kamitakatsu Shell Mound]] in [[Tsuchiura]]]]

===Paleolithic===
In the [[Japanese Paleolithic]], humans are believed to have started living in the present-day prefecture area before and after the deposition of the volcanic ash layer from the [[Aira Caldera]] about 24,000 years ago. At the bottom of this layer are local tools of polished stone and burnt pebbles.

===Asuka period===
During the [[Asuka period]] the provinces of Hitachi and [[Fusa Province|Fusa]] were created. Later Fusa was divided, among them, the Shimōsa Province.

===Muromachi period===
At the beginning of the [[Muromachi period]], in the 14th century, [[Kitabatake Chikafusa]] made of the [[Oda Castle]] his field headquarters for over a year, and wrote the [[Jinnō Shōtōki]] (Chronicles of the Authentic Lineages of the Divine Emperors), while he was at castle.
[[File:Ushibori in the Hitachi province.jpg|thumb|right|Lake Kasumigaura in Ushibori Village (Hitachi Province), [[Mount Fuji]] in the background; 19th century of the Edo period. [[Hokusai]], painter and printmaker]]

===Edo period===
During the [[Edo period]], one of the three houses or clans originating from [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] (Gosanke 御 三家, three houses), settled in the [[Mito Domain]], the clan is known as the [[Mito Tokugawa family]] or simply the Mito clan. Mito Domain, was a Japanese domain of the Edo-period [[Hitachi Province]].

In 1657, a ''[[Mitogaku]]'' was created when [[Tokugawa Mitsukuni]], head of the Mito Domain, commissioned the compilation of the ''[[Dai Nihonshi]]'', a book on the history of Japan.

=== Meiji period===
In [[Meiji (era)|Meiji era]], during the [[Meiji Restoration]], the political map changes, the old provinces are converted or merged, to create the current prefectures, in this case the Ibaraki Prefecture.

==Geography==
[[File:Kanto Plain (1257569801).jpg|thumb|right|Rivers Shintone (left) and [[Tone River|Tone]] (right), [[Inashiki, Ibaraki|Inashiki]] and [[Kawachi, Ibaraki|Kawachi]] areas]]
[[File:Map of Ibaraki Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|Map of Ibaraki Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#ACF6C8|Village}} {{legend0|#E6E6FA|Lake}}]]
[[File:View from Art Tower Mito south.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]]]]
[[File:Tsukuba Center & Mt.Tsukuba01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tsukuba]]]]
[[File:Hitachi Sakura Festival, Ibaraki 02.jpg|thumb|right| [[Hitachi, Ibaraki|Hitachi]] Sakura Festival]]
[[File:Tsuchiura downtown Tsuchiura-city.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tsuchiura]]]]
[[File:Ibaraki prefectural road route 25 (Tsuchiura-Inashiki line) in Hitachino-Higashi,Ushiku city.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ushiku]]]]
Ibaraki Prefecture is the northeastern part of the [[Kantō region]], stretching between [[Tochigi Prefecture]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bounded on the north and south by [[Fukushima Prefecture]] and [[Chiba Prefecture]]. It also has a border on the southwest with [[Saitama Prefecture]]. The northernmost part of the prefecture is mountainous, but most of the prefecture is a flat plain with many lakes and is part of [[Kantō Plain]].

===Natural parks===
{{As of|2012|04|01}}, 15% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|Natural Parks]], namely [[Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park]], and nine Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421180819/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Also, Ibaraki has one Prefectural Geopark. The Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park, also includes the northeast area of Chiba Prefecture.

===Mountains===
The northern third of the prefecture is mountainous and in the center is the Tsukuba Mountains (筑波 山地). Its main mountains are: [[mount Yamizo]] with an elevation of 1022 m on the border with Fukushima and Tochigi prefectures ([[tripoint]]), mount Takasasa with 922 m, [[mount Tsukuba]] with two peaks Nyotai-San at 877 m and Nantai-San at 871 m, mount Osho at 804 m, mount Hanazono at 798 m, and [[Mount Kaba (Ibaraki)|mount Kaba]] at 709 m.

===Water system===
The main rivers that flow through the prefecture include the [[Tone River|Tone]], [[Naka River (Tochigi Ibaraki)|Naka (Ibaraki)]], and [[Kuji River (Ibaraki)|Kuji]] rivers, all of which flow into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Before the seventeenth century, the lower reaches of the Tone were different from its current layout, and the Tone ran south and emptied into [[Tokyo Bay]], and tributaries such as the Watarase and Kinu rivers had independent water systems.

The main tributaries of the Tone River basin are the [[Kinugawa River|Kinu River]] and Kokai River, which flow from north to south in the western part of the prefecture. The Shintone and Sakura rivers flow into Lake Nishiura.

The [[Edo River]] flows into Tokyo Bay; its source currently rises as an arm of the Tone River. In the past, the course of the Edo River was different, its source was corrected and diverted to the Tone River in the 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect the city of [[Edo]] (now Tokyo) from flooding.

The Tone River, in addition to the Edo River, is part of the southern border of Ibaraki Prefecture with Chiba Prefecture, and the [[Watarase River]], Tone River, Gongendō River, and [[Naka River (Saitama Tokyo)|Naka River (Saitama)]] in the southwestern border of Ibaraki with Saitama Prefecture. The Watarase River has become a small boundary of the southern border between Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures.

From ancient times to the beginning of the Edo period, the lower reaches of the Tone River did not exist and the mouth of the Tone was in Tokyo Bay. On the plain was the [[Katori Sea]], which existed in ancient times,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w.utakura.com/yokokator9|title=歌垣発祥の地を訪ねる「筑波山・香取の海」(in Japanese) - To visit the birthplace of Utagaki「Mt. Tsukuba ・ Katori Sea」-|access-date=November 12, 2021|website=utakura.com|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028211906/http://w.utakura.com/yokokator9|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Lake Kasumigaura]] and other lagoons in present-day Chiba prefecture are remnants of that sea. Katori Sea was connected to the Kashima-nada (Pacific Ocean).

Lake Kasumigaura is currently divided into three lakes: Nishiura, Kitaura, Sotonasakaura. In addition, in the prefecture there are freshwater lagoons such as Hinuma, [[Lake Senba|Senba]], and Ushiku.

[[Fukuoka Dam]], is a dam that spans the Kokai River in [[Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki|Tsukubamirai]], it is one of the three largest dams in the Kantō region. Ryūjin Dam in [[Hitachiōta, Ibaraki|Hitachiōta]], is a beautiful dam on the Ryūjin River with a large pedestrian suspension bridge above the dam lake.

===Cities===
{{See also|List of cities in Ibaraki Prefecture by population}}
Thirty-two (32) cities are located in Ibaraki Prefecture:

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*'''[[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]]''' (capital city of the prefecture)
*[[Bandō, Ibaraki|Bandō]]
*[[Chikusei, Ibaraki|Chikusei]]
*[[Hitachi, Ibaraki|Hitachi]]
*[[Hitachinaka, Ibaraki|Hitachinaka]]
*[[Hitachiōmiya]]
*[[Hitachiōta, Ibaraki|Hitachiōta]]
*[[Hokota, Ibaraki|Hokota]]
*[[Inashiki, Ibaraki|Inashiki]]
*[[Ishioka, Ibaraki|Ishioka]]
*[[Itako, Ibaraki|Itako]]
*[[Jōsō]]
*[[Kamisu, Ibaraki|Kamisu]]
*[[Kasama, Ibaraki|Kasama]]
*[[Kashima, Ibaraki|Kashima]]
*[[Kasumigaura, Ibaraki|Kasumigaura]]
*[[Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki|Kitaibaraki]]
*[[Koga, Ibaraki|Koga]]
*[[Moriya, Ibaraki|Moriya]]
*[[Naka, Ibaraki|Naka]]
*[[Namegata, Ibaraki|Namegata]]
*[[Omitama]]
*[[Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki|Ryūgasaki]]
*[[Sakuragawa, Ibaraki|Sakuragawa]]
*[[Shimotsuma, Ibaraki|Shimotsuma]]
*[[Takahagi, Ibaraki|Takahagi]]
*[[Toride, Ibaraki|Toride]]
*[[Tsuchiura]]
*[[Tsukuba, Ibaraki|Tsukuba]]
*[[Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki|Tsukubamirai]]
*[[Ushiku, Ibaraki|Ushiku]]
*[[Yūki, Ibaraki|Yūki]]
{{div col end}}

===Towns and villages===
<!-- template:Ibaraki refers to the above header -->
These are the towns and villages in each [[Districts of Japan|district]], 10 towns and 2 villages in 7 districts:
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*'''[[Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki|Higashiibaraki District]]'''
**[[Ibaraki, Ibaraki|Ibaraki]]
**[[Ōarai, Ibaraki|Ōarai]]
**[[Shirosato, Ibaraki|Shirosato]]
*'''[[Inashiki District, Ibaraki|Inashiki District]]'''
**[[Ami, Ibaraki|Ami]]
**[[Kawachi, Ibaraki|Kawachi]]
**[[Miho, Ibaraki|Miho]]

*'''[[Kitasōma District, Ibaraki|Kitasōma District]]'''
**[[Tone, Ibaraki|Tone]]
*'''[[Kuji District, Ibaraki|Kuji District]]'''
**[[Daigo, Ibaraki|Daigo]]
*'''[[Naka District, Ibaraki|Naka District]]'''
**[[Tōkai, Ibaraki|Tōkai]]

*'''[[Sashima District, Ibaraki|Sashima District]]'''
**[[Goka, Ibaraki|Goka]]
**[[Sakai, Ibaraki|Sakai]]
*'''[[Yūki District, Ibaraki|Yūki District]]'''
**[[Yachiyo, Ibaraki|Yachiyo]]
{{div col end}}

===Mergers===
{{Main|List of mergers in Ibaraki Prefecture}}

== Economy ==
Ibaraki's economy is based on energy production (particularly nuclear energy), chemical and precision machining industries, research institutes, and tourism.  Agriculture, fishing, and livestock are also important sectors in the prefecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.invest.indus.pref.ibaraki.jp/en/about-ibaraki/|title=About Ibaraki|access-date=November 12, 2021|website=invest.indus.pref.ibaraki.jp|archive-date=November 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114013559/https://www.invest.indus.pref.ibaraki.jp/en/about-ibaraki/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ibaraki's vast flat terrain make it highly suitable for industrial development. This complements its proximity to the Tokyo metropolitan area, giving it a high reputation as an industrial base. The prefecture is also home to [[Tsukuba]], Japan's most extensive research and academic city, and the birthplace of [[Hitachi]], Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=data {{!}} Attractive Local Regions in Japan - Investing in Japan - Japan External Trade Organization |url=https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/region/data/ibaraki.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=ジェトロ |language=en |archive-date=2022-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627150914/https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/region/data/ibaraki.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Mt.Tsukuba 22.jpg|thumb|Paddy field at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba]]
[[File:Sweet potato field in Namegata, Ibaraki 06.jpg|thumb|Sweet potato field in Namegata]]

=== Agriculture ===
With extensive flat lands, abundant water, and suitable climate, Ibaraki is among the prefectures with the highest agricultural production in Japan. It plays an important role in supplying food to the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its main products include melons, pears, peppers, various varieties of rice and sugar cane, as well as flowers and ornamental plants.

It also supplies other food crops to the rest of the country. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 25% of Japan's bell peppers and Chinese cabbage.<ref>Schreiber, Mark, "[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20110417bj.html Japan's food crisis goes beyond recent panic buying] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420001603/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20110417bj.html |date=2011-04-20 }}", ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 17 April 2011, p. 9.</ref>

=== Fishing===
It is one of the prefectures with the highest fish production in the country; in the Pacific Ocean, Lake Kasumigaura, other lagoons and rivers, various species of fish are obtained.

===Cattle===
The Hitachigyū cattle (常 陸 牛 - ひたちぎゅう - Hitachi-gyū, Hitachi-ushi), which is a prefectural bovine breed, is noteworthy in livestock. The name comes from the kanji 常 陸 (Hitachi), the name of the ancient Hitachi Province and 牛 (ushi or gyū, beef).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitachiwagyu.com/conp/01abouthitachiwagyubeef.html|title=Breed info, About Hitachiwagyū Beef|access-date=November 12, 2021|website=hitachiwagyu.com|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022214255/https://hitachiwagyu.com/conp/01abouthitachiwagyubeef.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Background. In 1833 Tokugawa Nariaki (徳川 斉昭) established the breeding of black cattle in the present Migawa-chō (見川 町) of the city of Mito. Originally it remained mainly in the northern part of the prefecture, but later it spread throughout the prefecture.
[[File:Cyberdyne Inc Building day photo01.jpg|thumb|[[Cyberdyne Inc.]] in Tsukuba]]

===Industrial centers===
* Hitachi area. Grouping of industries, such as electrical, electronic and machinery. More than 1,300 companies; many of them hired by the [[Hitachi]] company, which was founded in Sukegawa ([[Hitachi, Ibaraki|Hitachi]] City) in 1910.
* Tōkai area. Atomic Energy Research Organization Grouping. [[J-PARC]], Proton Accelerator Research Complex.
* Tsukuba area. 32 institutes for education and research. Manipulation of matter at the level of atoms (nanotechnology). Robotic security center for support in daily life. Space center.
* Kashima area. Grouping of materials industries, such as steel and petrochemicals, around 160 companies.

==Demographics==
[[File:Ibraki prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|220x220px|left|Ibraki prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
{{historical populations|13=1890|14=1,025,497|15=1903|16=1,200,475|17=1913|18=1,328,329|19=1920|20=1,350,400|21=1925|22=1,409,092|23=1930|24=1,487,097|25=1935|26=1,548,991|27=1940|28=1,620,000|29=1945|30=1,944,344|31=1950|32=2,039,418|33=1955|34=2,064,037|35=1960|36=2,047,024|37=1965|38=2,056,154|39=1970|40=2,143,551|41=1975|42=2,342,198|43=1980|44=2,558,007|45=1985|46=2,725,005|47=1990|48=2,845,382|49=1995|50=2,955,530|51=2000|52=2,985,676|53=2005|54=2,975,167|55=2010|56=2,969,770|57=2015|58=2,917,857|59=2020|60=2,854,131|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html |title=Statistics Bureau of Japan |access-date=2019-07-21 |archive-date=2020-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132422/http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

==Culture==
Ibaraki is known for [[nattō]], or fermented soybeans, in [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], watermelons in [[Kyōwa, Ibaraki|Kyōwa]] (recently merged into [[Chikusei, Ibaraki|Chikusei]]), and [[chestnuts]] in the [[Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki|Nishiibaraki]] region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.ibarakiguide.org/themes.html|title=Ibaraki Guide|access-date=November 12, 2021|website=ibarakiguide.org|archive-date=November 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114183715/https://english.ibarakiguide.org/themes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ibaraki is famous for the martial art of [[Aikido]] founded by [[Morihei Ueshiba]], also known as [[Sensei|Osensei]]. Ueshiba spent the latter part of his life in the town of [[Iwama, Ibaraki|Iwama]], now part of [[Kasama, Ibaraki|Kasama]], and the [[Aiki Shrine]] and [[dojo]] he created still remain.<ref>Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo "[http://www13.big.or.jp/%7Eaikikai/e_kaiso.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610032237/https://www13.big.or.jp/~aikikai/e_kaiso.html|date=2023-06-10}} Founder and Iwama", Retrieved August 25, 2017</ref>

Kasama is famous for [[Shinto]] ([[Kasama Inari Shrine]]), Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, house museum of the calligrapher and ceramist [[Rosanjin|Kitaōji Rosanjin]], [[Kasama Nichidō Museum of Art]], residence of [[Morihei Ueshiba]], founder of the martial art Aikidō.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.ibarakiguide.org/kasamashiko-a-journey-through-japans-pottery-culture.html|title=Kasamashiko – A Journey Through Japan's Pottery Culture|access-date=November 12, 2021|website=ibarakiguide.org|archive-date=November 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114183715/https://english.ibarakiguide.org/kasamashiko-a-journey-through-japans-pottery-culture.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The capital [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]] is home to [[Kairakuen]], one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens, and famous for its over 3,000 [[Ume|Japanese plum]] trees of over 100 varieties.

[[Kashima Shrine]] (Jingū) Ibaraki's cultural heritage.

[[Mito Tōshō-gū]], is the memorial shrine of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] in Mito.

[[Seizansō]] was the retirement villa of [[Tokugawa Mitsukuni]].

[[Mito Municipal Botanical Park]], is a botanical garden in Mito.

Park Ibaraki Nature Museum in [[Bandō, Ibaraki|Bandō]].

There are castle ruins in many cities, including [[Mito Castle]], Yūki Castle, [[Kasama Castle]], [[Tsuchiura Castle]], [[Oda Castle]].

[[Hitachi Furyumono|Hitachi Fūryūmono]], a puppet float theater festival, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Makabe Hina Doll Festival - [[Hinamatsuri]] - (Sakuragawa City).

[[Yūki-tsumugi]] (silk weaving technique) Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, [[Kasama ware]], Makabe Stone Lamp, Kagami Crystal Glass Factory, old glass factory in Ryūgasaki City.

==Education==

===University===
*Ami 
**[[Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences]]
*Hitachi
**[[Ibaraki Christian University]]
[[File:Kodokan, Mito, 2020.jpg|thumb|[[Kōdōkan (Mito)]]]]
*Mito
**[[Ibaraki University]]
**[[Tokiwa University]]
*Ryūgasaki
**[[Ryutsu Keizai University|Ryūtsū Keizai University]]
*Toride
**[[Tokyo University of the Arts]]
*Tsuchiura
**[[Tsukuba International University]]
*Tsukuba
**[[Tsukuba Gakuin University]]
**[[Tsukuba University]]
**[[National University Corporation Tsukuba University of Technology|Tsukuba University of Technology]]

==Sports ==
The sports teams listed below are based in Ibaraki.
[[File:Kashima Stadium 1.JPG|thumb|[[Kashima Soccer Stadium]]]]
[[File:Tsukuba Circuit.jpg|thumb|[[Tsukuba Circuit]]]]

===Association football===
* [[Kashima Antlers]] ([[Kashima, Ibaraki|Kashima]])
* [[Mito HollyHock]] ([[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]])
* [[Tsukuba FC]] ([[Tsukuba]])

===Volleyball===
* [[Hitachi Rivale]] (Women's) ([[Hitachinaka, Ibaraki|Hitachinaka]])

===Rugby===
* Stags - Kashima Rugby Football Club RFC (Kashima)

===American football===
* Tsukuba University (Tsukuba)

===Baseball===
* Ibaraki Astro Planets ([[Yūki, Ibaraki|Yūki]]) ([[Baseball Challenge League]])
* Ibaraki Golden Golds (Regional club) (Tsukuba)

===Wrestling===
* Hitachi Pro Wrestling (Regional group) ([[Hitachi, Ibaraki|Hitachi]])

===Basketball===
* [[Ibaraki Robots]] (Mito)

===Motorsport===
* [[Tsukuba Circuit]]  ([[Shimotsuma, Ibaraki|Shimotsuma]])

==Tourism==
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Fukuroda Falls]]
* [[Hitachi Seaside Park]]
* [[Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History]]
* [[Kairaku-en|Kairaku-en (garden)]]
* [[Kashima Shrine]]
* [[Lake Kasumigaura]]
* [[Mount Tsukuba]]
* [[Aqua World|Ōarai Aquarium]]
* [[Tsukuba, Ibaraki|Tsukuba Science City]]
* [[Ushiku Daibutsu]]



{{div col end}}
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Hobikibune 05.JPG|Hobikibune (Sailboat) on Lake Kasumigaura
File:Fukuroda Falls 44.jpg|[[Fukuroda Falls]] in Daigo
File:Mount Tsukuba 2.jpg|A view of Mount Tsukuba, from Tsukuba City
File:Suigo Itako Ayame Garden 07.jpg|A view of Suigō [[Itako, Ibaraki|Itako]] Iris Garden
File:Rokkakudo seen from the sea (Kitaibaraki City) 2020.jpg|A view of [[Rokkakudō (Kitaibaraki)|Rokkakudō]] and Pacific Ocean in Kitaibaraki
File:Oarai Coast 09.jpg|[[Torii]] of [[Ōarai, Ibaraki|Ōarai]] Coast
File:Miharashino Oka (Hitachi Seaside Park) 17.jpg|Nemophila in spring in [[Hitachi Seaside Park]]
File:Kairakuen (7125549463).jpg|[[Kairaku-en]]
File:Kashima-jingu romon gate.jpg|[[Kashima Shrine]]
File:20100216 acaworld01.jpg|[[Aqua World|Ōarai Aquarium]]
</gallery>

==Transportation and access==
[[File:Kanto Railway Linemap.svg|thumb|Lines map Kantō Railway, Tsukuba Railway (suspended 1987), and others]]
[[File:Joban Line in Tsuchiura City 01.jpg|thumb|Lotus field and Jōban Line]]
[[File:Mount Tsukuba Rope Way 2.jpg|thumb|Mount Tsukuba Ropeway]]
[[File:Kashima Port.jpg|thumb|right|Kashima Port]]
[[File:Ibaraki Airport 03.JPG|thumb|Ibaraki Airport]]

===Railways===
*[[East Japan Railway Company]]
**[[Jōban Line]]
**[[Kashima Line]]
**[[Mito Line]]
**[[Suigun Line]]
**[[Utsunomiya Line]] ([[Tōhoku Main Line]])
*Hitachinaka Seaside Railway
**[[Minato Line]]
*[[Kantō Railway]]
**[[Jōsō Line]]
**[[Ryūgasaki Line]]
*[[Kashima Rinkai Railway]]
**[[Kashima Rinkai Railway Kashima Rinkō Line|Kashima Rinkō Line]]
**[[Ōarai Kashima Line]]
*[[Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company]]
**[[Tsukuba Express]]
*Mooka Railway
**[[Mooka Line]]

===Cable cars===
*Tsukuba Kankō Railway 
**[[Mount Tsukuba Cable Car]]
**[[Mount Tsukuba Ropeway]]

===Bus===
* [http://www.ibako.co.jp/ Ibaraki Kotsu]

===Roads===
====Expressways====
* [[Image:Joban Expwy Route Sign.svg|50px]] [[Jōban Expressway]]
* [[Image:Ken-O Expwy Route Sign.svg|50px]] [[Ken-Ō Expressway]]
* [[Image:Kita-Kanto Expwy Route Sign.svg|50px]] [[Kita-Kantō Expressway]]
* [[Image:Higashi-Kanto Expwy Route Sign.svg|50px]] [[Higashi-Kantō Expressway]]

====National highways====
[[Image:Japanese National Route Sign Template.svg|25px]] Ibaraki Prefecture with the following national routes:
* [[Japan National Route 4|National Route 4]] (around [[Koga, Ibaraki|Koga]] area)
* [[Japan National Route 6|National Route 6]] ([[Nihonbashi]] of [[Tokyo]]-Toride-Tsuchiura-Mito-Hitachi-[[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]]-[[Sendai]])
* [[Japan National Route 50|National Route 50]]
* [[Japan National Route 51|National Route 51]] (Mito-Kashima-Itako-[[Narita, Chiba|Narita]]-[[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]])
* [[Japan National Route 118|National Route 118]]
* [[Japan National Route 123|National Route 123]]
* [[Japan National Route 124|National Route 124]]
* [[Japan National Route 125|National Route 125]] ([[Katori, Chiba|Katori]]-Tsuchiura-Tsukuba-Koga-[[Gyōda]]-[[Kumagaya]])
* [[Japan National Route 245|National Route 245]]
* [[Japan National Route 293|National Route 293]]
* [[Japan National Route 294|National Route 294]]
* [[Japan National Route 349|National Route 349]]
* [[Japan National Route 354|National Route 354]]
* [[Japan National Route 355|National Route 355]]
* [[Japan National Route 400|National Route 400]] (Mito-[[Nakagawa, Tochigi|Nakagawa]]-[[Nikkō, Tochigi|Nikko]]-[[Minamiaizu, Fukushima|Minamiaizu]]-[[Nishiaizu, Fukushima|Nishiaizu]]
* [[Japan National Route 408|National Route 408]]
* [[Japan National Route 461|National Route 461]]

==== Prefectural routes ====
[[Image:Ibaraki Pref Route Sign Template.svg|25px]] Ibaraki Prefecture with more than 300 prefectural routes.

===Ports===
*[[Port of Ibaraki]]
::*Port of Hitachi
::*Port of Hitachinaka
::*Port of Ōarai - Ferry route to [[Tomakomai]], [[Muroran]] of [[Hokkaido]]
*[[Port of Kashima]]

===Airports===
*[[Ibaraki Airport]]
*[[Ōtone Airstrip]] {{nihongo|大利根飛行場|おおとねひこうじょう|''Ōtone Hikōjō''}} is an airfield located on the Tone River in [[Kawachi, Ibaraki|Kawachi]].
*[[Ryūgasaki Airfield]]
*[[Tsukuba Heliport]]

==Pronunciation==
The prefecture is often alternatively pronounced "Ibara''gi''{{-"}} by those who speak the regional dialect known as Ibaraki-ben. However, the standard pronunciation is "Ibara''ki''{{-"}}.  According to the author of "Not Ibara''gi'', Ibara''ki''{{-"}},<ref>[http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/00091111474553.html いばらぎじゃなくていばらき] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629214748/http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/00091111474553.html |date=2017-06-29 }} [''Ibaragi ja Nakute Ibaraki'']</ref> this is most likely due to a mishearing of the softening of the "k" sound in Ibaraki dialect.

==Sister region==
Ibaraki is twinned with:
* {{Flagicon|France}} [[Essonne]], [[France]]

== See also ==
*[[2005 Ibaraki gubernatorial election]]
{{Portal|Japan}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan Encyclopedia'']. Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}. {{OCLC|58053128}}.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Ibaraki}}
{{Commons category|Ibaraki prefecture}}
*[http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/ Ibaraki Prefecture Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bugai/kokusai/tabunka/en/index.html Ibaraki Prefecture Official Website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Ibaraki}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|36|14|N|140|17|E|scale:500000|display=title}}

<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Ibaraki Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Kantō region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]