Home to a large concentration of Japan's high-tech enterprises, factories and research institutions, Ibaraki Prefecture, a northeastern prefecture in the Kanto region facing the Pacific Ocean, has its eyes firmly planted on the future.
The Tsukuba Express line connects the city of Tsukuba — a center for research institutions located in the southern part of the prefecture — and Akihabara in Tokyo in 45 minutes. The capital city of Ibaraki, Mito, is 1 hour and 12 minutes from Tokyo Station through the JR Joban Line.
Boasting mild weather and four distinct seasons, Ibaraki ranked third among the nation's 47 prefectures in its agricultural output according to 2017 statistics compiled by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry. It is also the top producer of about 20 agricultural and marine products including chestnut, lotus root, green pepper, melon, sweet potato, sardines, mackerel and carp.