 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
The Hitachi-no-kuni Fudoki ("Topography of the Land of Hitachi") says that1280 years ago Ibaraki was a utopia: "The Land is large, the soil is fertile, products from the mountains and sea are abundant, and the people lead affluent lives. It is just like heaven." As the description says, the people of Ibaraki Prefecture have been well off since the old days.
In the medieval period, powerful samurai generals had their residences in this area. Particularly in the Edo Period, Ibaraki was an important transportation hub because of its proximity to Edo. The Tokugawa feudal clan was located in Mito at the time, and Ibaraki flourished as the center of local politics, economy, and culture.
After the Tokugawa Shogunate collapsed, Ibaraki Prefecture was established in 1871 by the new government and became its present size in 1875.
Since then, thanks to its industrial and cultural successes, the prefecture has made great developments in various fields, including agriculture, industry, science and technology, culture, and welfare. |
|
|
 |
| Ibaraki Prefecture has various cultural heritage sites, such as Kairakuen and Kashima Jingu Shrine. Many great artists come from Ibaraki, including the painter Taikan Yokoyama, the modern ceramic artist Hazan Itaya, and children's song writer/poet Ujo Noguchi.
Having such a traditional cultural background, the prefecture organizes a full schedule of cultural activities. They include the Tsukuba International Music Festival, famous art exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art, and prefectural art festivals. In recent years, a trend towards enriching the mind or seeking an improved quality of life has spread widely among the people of Ibaraki, and many locals become involved in cultural activities voluntarily. Responding to this trend, in 1991 the prefecture set guidelines for cultural promotion, and the following year it established the Ibaraki Cultural Foundation. The prefecture has been working on the creation of new local cultural attractions.
| |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Monthly average temperature in Mito |
|
|
|
|
Monthly average rainfall in Mito |
|
|
 |
Monthly average temperature in Tsukuba |
|
|
|
 |
Monthly average rainfall in Tsukuba |
|
|
|
|
 |
Monthly average temperature in Kashima |
|
|
|
 |
Monthly average rainfall in Kashima |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
