Ibaraki

Ibaraki is a city in northeastern Osaka Prefecture, located on the left bank of the Yodo River. It is a commuter city for Osaka and Kyoto, but also has its own identity as the home of the National Museum of Art and a well-preserved old town area of Ibaraki-juku, a post station on the old Saikoku Kaido highway. The city's name means "thorn tree" and is unrelated to Ibaraki Prefecture in northern Japan.

Ibaraki is served by the Hankyu Kyoto Line. From Osaka (Umeda), limited express trains reach Ibaraki-shi Station in about 15 minutes. From Kyoto (Kawaramachi), about 25 minutes. JR Ibaraki Station is on the JR Kyoto Line. By car, it is about 20 minutes from either city via the Meishin Expressway.

The station area is compact and walkable. Local buses serve the suburbs. A bicycle is a good way to explore the old town and the river embankments.

• National Museum of Art, Osaka — a major modern art museum with a rotating collection and special exhibitions in a dramatic subterranean building.

• Ibaraki-juku — the old post-station quarter with preserved merchant houses and a restored honjin inn.

• Ibaraki City Museum of History and Folklore — exhibits on the Saikoku Kaido and local history.

• Suijin Bridge — a historic stone bridge over the Yodo River.

• Ryogen-ji Temple — a Jodo Shinshu temple with a memorial garden.

• Visit the Art Museum — the modern architecture and exhibitions make this a major cultural stop.

• Stroll Ibaraki-juku — the old town is atmospheric with traditional buildings and a quiet pace.

• Cycling along the Yodo River — the embankments are part of a longer cycling route.

• Seasonal flower viewing — parks along the river have cherry blossoms in spring and cosmos in autumn.

The city has a good selection of restaurants near Hankyu Ibaraki-shi Station, including okonomiyaki, ramen, and sushi. The old town has a few soba restaurants.

Osaka sake and the city's standard izakaya offerings.

Ibaraki has a few business hotels near the stations. Most visitors stay in Osaka or Kyoto.

Ibaraki is not a shopping destination. The station area has convenience stores and small shops.

• Osaka — 15 minutes by Hankyu
• Kyoto — 25 minutes by Hankyu
• Takatsuki — the Yodo River commuter towns
• Suita — the Exposition Park and the National Museum of Ethnology