The Kamiiso-no-Torii, a shrine gate standing on wave-battered rocks at Oarai, is one of the most photographed sights on Japan’s Pacific coast. Oarai is a relaxed seaside town about 15 to 20 minutes from Mito, with beaches, a big aquarium and a fish market, and the Oarai-Kashima Line follows the coast south to Kashima Jingu, one of the oldest and most important shrines in eastern Japan. This guide covers both towns and how to link them in one easy trip from Tokyo.
1. Oarai Isosaki Shrine & Kamiiso-no-Torii
Oarai Isosaki Shrine was founded in 856, according to shrine tradition, on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its most famous feature is not on the hill at all: the Kamiiso-no-Torii, a torii gate that stands on a rocky outcrop just offshore, marking the spot where the shrine’s gods are said to have descended to earth. Waves crash around its base on rough days, and at sunrise the sun climbs out of the sea behind the gate, a scene that draws photographers all year and especially on New Year’s morning. From the gate, climb the steps to the main shrine, which has a fine wooden gate and views over the sea. The shrine is open from about 8:30 to 18:00 and is free to visit. It is about 10 minutes by bus or 25 minutes on foot from Oarai Station. Be careful on the slippery rocks near the gate and never climb onto it, since the waves can be powerful.
2. Oarai Coast & Aqua World Oarai
Oarai’s long coastline is perfect for an unhurried afternoon. Oarai Sun Beach is a wide sandy beach about 20 minutes on foot from the station, with lifeguards during the swimming season from mid-July to mid-August, and quieter walks the rest of the year. Nearby, Aqua World Oarai is one of the largest aquariums in eastern Japan, known for its many kinds of sharks, along with dolphin and sea lion shows. Admission is 2,300 yen for adults and 1,100 yen for children, and it is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:00), with maintenance closures in June and December. Anime fans will recognize the town as the setting of Girls und Panzer, with character panels in shops and a themed train on the local line. Finish the day with fresh seafood: Oarai is famous for clams, monkfish hot pot in winter and shirasu (tiny whitebait) on rice.
3. Kashima Jingu
Kashima Jingu is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, traditionally said to have been founded in 660 BCE, and it is dedicated to Takemikazuchi, a god of martial arts. That connection has made it a place of prayer for samurai and martial artists for centuries. The approach leads past a vermilion tower gate and the main halls into a deep forest of giant cedars, where a quiet path continues about 300 meters to the Okunomiya, an inner shrine donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1605. Nearby, the mysterious Kaname-ishi stone is said to pin down the giant catfish that causes earthquakes, and a small deer park recalls the legend that the shrine’s divine messengers were deer. Further on, Mitarashi Pond is fed by a spring of crystal-clear water. The grounds are free, and the treasure hall has been closed since 2018. It is about a seven-minute walk from Kashima-Jingu Station.
Where to Stay Near Oarai
Where to stay: OaraiHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Oarai has a handful of seaside hotels and ryokan, many with ocean-view baths, and staying overnight lets you see the sunrise over the Kamiiso-no-Torii. If you prefer a bigger choice of hotels, Mito is about 15 to 20 minutes away by train.
Luxury
KAMENOI HOTEL Oarai is a seaside hot spring hotel where you can relax in the baths and enjoy local seafood dinners.
Seaside hot spring hotel with seafood dinners.
Mid-Range
Oarai Hotel Annex Gyoraian is a highly rated, intimate inn in Oarai with a focus on fresh local seafood.
Well-reviewed small inn known for seafood.
Budget-Friendly
Oarai Park Hotel is a simple, good-value hotel for travelers who mainly need a place to sleep near the sea.
Simple, good-value hotel near the coast.
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Hotels in Oarai on Booking.com
Compare seaside hotels and inns in Oarai.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- For the classic sunrise photo at the Kamiiso-no-Torii, stay overnight in Oarai and check the sunrise time the evening before.
- Stay off the rocks around the torii when the waves are high.
- The Oarai-Kashima Line takes about an hour from Oarai to Kashima-Jingu Station; trains are not frequent, so check the timetable.
- Aqua World Oarai closes for maintenance for a few days in June and December.
- Combine this trip with Hitachi Seaside Park, about 20 minutes north of Oarai by taxi or bus via Katsuta.
Getting there by train: Take the JR Hitachi or Tokiwa limited express from Ueno or Tokyo to Mito (about 70 to 90 minutes), then the Kashima Rinkai Railway’s Oarai-Kashima Line to Oarai in about 15 to 20 minutes and on to Kashima-Jingu in about an hour. The Oarai-Kashima Line is a private railway not covered by the JR Pass. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, see how to get from Narita or Haneda into Tokyo, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kamiiso-no-Torii?
It stands on rocks just off the coast below Oarai Isosaki Shrine in Oarai, Ibaraki, about 10 minutes by bus from Oarai Station.
What is the best time to see the Kamiiso-no-Torii?
Sunrise is the most famous time, when the sun rises over the ocean behind the gate. New Year’s morning is especially popular.
How old is Kashima Jingu?
According to tradition, Kashima Jingu was founded in 660 BCE, making it one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
Can I visit Oarai and Kashima in one day?
Yes. Start early in Oarai and take the Oarai-Kashima Line to Kashima-Jingu, about an hour away, then return to Tokyo by bus or train.
