Ibaraki

As Japan's #1 producer of Natto, the fermented soybeans, foreigners might already be wary of Ibaraki. However, Ibaraki also enjoys vast stretches of beautiful beachfront and is also a very popular location for surfers from Tokyo. This is in addition to multiple hot springs (onsen) and beautiful nature. One notable sightseeing spot is the Ushiku Daibutsu (Great Buddha), which was registered as the tallest bronze statue in the world by Guiness in 1995 and is also said to be the world's tallest Buddha statue. Those with an interest in martial arts may be pleased to find themselves in the birthplace of the Aikido, at Iwama Dojo.