Meet at the JR Hitachi St. on JR Joban Line, the beautiful station with an ocean view. Designed by an architect Kazuyo Sejima who won the Pritzker Prize from Hitachi city. Get a lunch at a local onigiri (rice ball) shop, and then drive to the Oiwa Shrine through the Mountain. You may find remains of the Hitachi copper mine along the road.

Begin your journey with a special welcome by a shrine maiden at the sacred Oiwa Shrine. Explore its serene grounds and gain exclusive access to a hall enshrined Buddhist statues rarely seen by the public. Participate in a blessing ceremony where you can offer personal prayers and wishes to the divine.

Set off on a hike to the shrine's sacred mountain, Mt Miwa. Walk along the approach, finding stone monuments here and there where the deities reside. When you reach the summit, a breathtaking view awaits you. Head through the peaceful forest to the neighbouring Mt Takasuzu, where you can enjoy the view while eating locally made rice balls. After descending, collect your blessing souvenir from the shrine office and visit a nearby village home for a heartwarming tea gathering. Chat with locals about their lives, the role of the shrine in their community, and the area's rich history, creating a truly unique cultural connection.

After the exchange, we drive to the station. Crossing one mountain is like being in a completely different place, and this special day concludes at Hitachi Station. Only 90 minutes from Tokyo, Hitachi has everything you want to experience in Japan condensed into one place!