Transportation in Ibaraki

Three JR rail lines provide service in Ibaraki. The JR Jōban line connects major cities in the prefecture to Tōkyō. The JR Mito line runs from Mito through the western part of the prefecture and provides access to the JR Tōhoku-Honsen Line. The Suigun line connects Mito to the mountainous, northern part of Ibaraki. Other rail lines include the Jōsō line which operates in the western part of the prefecture, and the Ōarai-Kashima line which runs along Ibaraki's eastern shore. The Tsukuba Express in the south-western part of the prefecture commenced rail service between Tōkyō and Tsukuba in the autumn of 2005.

Ibaraki has an efficient expressway system. The Jōban Expressway parallels the JR Jōban rail line. Ibaraki also is home to the Kita Kantō Expressway, the Higashi Kantō Expressway, and the Metropolitan Intercity Expressway.

In terms of water transportation, Hitachi-Naka port operates consistent ferry service to various Asian, North American, and European countries. Along with Hitachi-Naka port, Hitachi port, Ōarai port, and Kashima port all contain extensive freight facilities suitable for both domestic and international shipping.

 

The Ibaraki Airport is scheduled to open on March 11, 2010. Ibaraki Airport will be the first airport in Japan designed to handle low cost carriers. It will be the third airport of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and will be able to accommodate charter planes and business jets, as well as many other demands of the aviation market. For details please visit the Ibaraki Airport homepage.

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