History of Ibaraki

Roots and Formation of Ibaraki

The history of Ibaraki is rooted in deep antiquity, and the name of the area is shrouded in legends recorded in early Japanese chronicles. The development of the region was defined by its strategic position on the eastern coast and its proximity to centres of political power.

Foundation and First Mentions

The name "Ibaraki" itself first appears in the historical-geographical description "Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki," compiled in the early 8th century (around 713). According to legend, the area was named by a samurai (or, according to another version, a court official) who used thorny bushes (Japanese: ibara) to drive away bandits inhabiting the local mountains, or to build fortifications from them. As a result of the Meiji Restoration administrative reforms in 1871, the historical Hitachi Province was transformed, and the name Ibaraki Prefecture was officially established on the map, uniting the ancient lands.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of this territory into a vital administrative and economic centre of Japan was driven by several factors:

• Geographical Location: The vast Kanto Plain and access to the Pacific Ocean created ideal conditions for agriculture and fishing.
• Political Influence: During the Edo period (1603–1868), these lands were governed by the Mito Tokugawa clan—one of the three branches of the ruling Shogun dynasty. This secured a special status and patronage from the central authority for the region.
• Transport Arteries: A developed network of rivers and proximity to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) facilitated active trade and resource exchange.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Already in the feudal era, the region was renowned as the country's breadbasket due to high rice yields and soya bean production. The cultural core became the Mitogaku school, which emerged in the Mito Domain; it preached Confucian ideas and loyalty to the Emperor, subsequently playing a key role in the ideological preparation for the Meiji Restoration. The combination of rich agricultural traditions and high intellectual potential laid the foundation for the further development of Ibaraki.

Chronology of Regional Development

• 713: Compilation of "Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki"—an ancient treatise in which the name of the area Ibaraki was recorded in writing for the first time.
• 1609: Tokugawa Yorifusa becomes the first ruler of the Mito Domain, cementing the region's status as an important political centre of the Edo period.
• 1841: Opening of the famous Kairakuen Garden, created for the relaxation and enlightenment of samurai and ordinary citizens alike.
• 1842: Foundation of the Kodokan Academy, which became the largest educational institution of its time and a centre of Confucian philosophy.
• 1871: As a result of administrative reform and the abolition of feudal domains, Ibaraki Prefecture is officially established.
• 1889: Mito receives city status and becomes the administrative centre of the prefecture.
• 1897: Opening of the Joban railway line, connecting the region with the capital of Japan and accelerating its economic growth.
• 1963: The Cabinet of Ministers approves the plan for the construction of Tsukuba Science City, determining the region's future as a hub of innovation.
• 1985: Hosting of the world exhibition "EXPO-85" in Tsukuba, demonstrating achievements in science and technology to the world.
• 1991: Opening of the Hitachi Seaside Park on the site of a former military base, which became a major tourist attraction.
• 2002: The stadium in Kashima city hosts matches of the FIFA World Cup, confirming the region's sporting status.
• 2005: Launch of the Tsukuba Express high-speed line, reducing travel time to Tokyo to 45 minutes and stimulating population influx.
• 2010: Commencement of operations at Ibaraki Civil Airport, opening new opportunities for domestic and international travel.
• 2011: Opening of the new Hitachi Station building with panoramic ocean views, designed by the renowned architect Kazuyo Sejima.

The economic and urban development of Ibaraki represents a unique example of the transformation of a traditional agrarian province into one of the leading scientific and industrial centres of Japan. Thanks to its strategic proximity to Tokyo and large-scale government projects, the region has journeyed from a feudal breadbasket to a territory of future innovations.

• Rise of the Agrarian Centre (17th–19th Centuries): In the Edo era, thanks to vast plains and the waterways of the Tone River, the region became the main supplier of rice and soya beans for the capital. It was during this period that the culture of natto production originated, becoming a gastronomic symbol of the area and the basis of the food industry.
• Birth of an Industrial Giant (1910): The eponymous company was founded in the city of Hitachi, growing from a mining equipment repair workshop. This event marked the beginning of the transformation of the prefecture's north into a powerful industrial cluster specialising in engineering and electronics.
• Creation of the Kashima Coastal Zone (1960s): Implementation of an ambitious project to turn sand dunes into a major artificial port. The formation of the Kashima industrial zone attracted steel and petrochemical plants, radically changing the economic landscape of the coast.
• Construction of Tsukuba Science City (1963–1980s): The country's largest urban planning experiment to create a "city of brains." Relocating dozens of national research institutes and a university from overcrowded Tokyo created a unique intellectual environment and the architectural look of a new era.
• World Exhibition EXPO-85: Hosting the exhibition in Tsukuba under the motto "Dwellings and Surroundings - Science and Technology for Man at Home" cemented Ibaraki's status as a high-tech centre and attracted international investment in infrastructure.
• Launch of Tsukuba Express (2005): The opening of the high-speed railway line reduced travel time to Tokyo to 45 minutes. This sparked a housing construction boom along the line and turned the southern districts into prestigious suburbs of the capital, altering the demographic map of the region.
• Opening of Ibaraki Airport (2010): The conversion of the Hyakuri military airbase into a civil airport opened new logistics capabilities and stimulated the development of budget air travel and international tourism.

The architectural appearance of Ibaraki Prefecture represents a fascinating combination of traditional Japanese aesthetics and bold futuristic solutions. Here, the historical heritage of the samurai era sits in harmony with ultra-modern scientific complexes and works by world-renowned architects, reflecting the region's dynamic path of development from a feudal centre to a technological vanguard.

Traditional Architecture: Heritage of the Edo Period

The heart of Ibaraki's historical development is undoubtedly the city of Mito, the former capital of a powerful domain. Although the original Mito Castle was almost completely lost, the preserved earthen ramparts, moats, and reconstructed gates remind us of its former grandeur. A brilliant example of the architecture of that time is the Kobun-tei villa, located in the famous Kairakuen garden. This elegant wooden structure demonstrates the principles of a feudal lord's (Daimyo) residence: simplicity of form, sliding painted partitions (fusuma), and an inseparable connection with the surrounding landscape. Another important monument is the Kodokan, one of the largest samurai schools of its time, where architecture was subordinated to educational and ideological goals.

Modernisation and Western Influence

With the onset of the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, Western architectural styles began to penetrate Ibaraki, as they did throughout Japan. Brick and wooden buildings in a European spirit, the so-called Giyofu style, began to appear in cities. An example of such architecture is the preserved building of the Former Mito Normal School—an elegant wooden structure with features of Western neoclassicism, symbolising the country's desire for modernisation and the implementation of new educational standards.

Modern and Contemporary Architecture: From Modernism to Deconstructivism

The 20th century radically changed the face of Ibaraki. The largest urban planning project was Tsukuba Science City, created from scratch in the 1960s. Its layout and development are a vivid example of the modernist approach with its functionalism and strict organisation of space. It was here that iconic works by the world-famous architect Arata Isozaki appeared. His Tsukuba Center Building (1983) is considered a manifesto of Japanese postmodernism, where the author ironically quotes the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome. Another of his creations—the cultural complex Art Tower Mito (1990)—became famous for its 100-metre tower made of titanium tetrahedrons, becoming a bold example of deconstructivism and a symbol of modern Mito. In the 21st century, architectural experiments continued: the transparent, almost weightless building of Hitachi Station (2011), designed by Pritzker Prize winner Kazuyo Sejima, became an embodiment of minimalism and openness.

Distinguished Figures Connected to Ibaraki

Ibaraki Prefecture, historically known as Hitachi Province, became the birthplace and centre of activity for many iconic figures in the history and culture of Japan. From powerful rulers and reformers to world-renowned artists—their legacy continues to define the region's character.

• Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628–1701) — Daimyo (feudal lord) and patron of the arts. Grandson of the shogunate founder Tokugawa Ieyasu, he was the second ruler of the Mito Domain. Mitsukuni went down in history as the initiator of the monumental work "Dai Nihonshi" ("History of Great Japan"), work on which continued for over 250 years. This project laid the foundations for the influential Mitogaku philosophical school, whose ideas played a key role in the country's subsequent history.
• Tokugawa Nariaki (1800–1860) — Daimyo and reformer. The ninth ruler of the Mito Domain, Nariaki was one of the most influential figures of the late Edo period. He founded the Kodokan school for educating samurai and the famous Kairakuen garden, open to all social classes. Nariaki actively advocated for strengthening the country's defences in the face of the Western threat, though his reformist activities caused displeasure within the Shogunate.
• Mamiya Rinzo (1775–1844) — Traveller and explorer. A native of the lands now forming Ibaraki Prefecture, Mamiya Rinzo became one of Japan's great discoverers. In 1808, he embarked on an expedition to explore Sakhalin (then called Karafuto in Japan) and was the first to prove that it was an island, not a peninsula, discovering the strait between it and the mainland.
• Yokoyama Taikan (1868–1958) — Artist, master of the Nihonga style. Born in Mito, Yokoyama Taikan is one of the founders of modern Japanese painting. He moved away from certain traditional techniques, developing his own style, and became a central figure in the Japan Art Institute, exerting immense influence on several generations of artists.
• Noguchi Ujo (1882–1945) — Poet and songwriter. Hailing from the city now called Kitaibaraki, Noguchi Ujo is considered one of the three great writers of children's songs in Japan. His simple and melodic verses, such as "Red Shoes" (Akai Kutsu), became part of the national culture and are known to every Japanese person from childhood.
• Ueshiba Morihei (1883–1969) — Martial arts master, founder of Aikido. Although Ueshiba was not born in Ibaraki, it was here, in the small town of Iwama (now part of Kasama City), that he spent a significant part of his life. In Iwama, he founded a dojo and the Aiki Shrine, where he finally formulated the philosophy and technique of the world-famous martial art of Aikido.
• Fukasaku Kinji (1930–2003) — Film director. Born in Mito, Fukasaku became one of the most influential directors of post-war Japan. He gained global fame thanks to his films about the Yakuza, particularly the "Battles Without Honor and Humanity" series, as well as the controversial and cult film "Battle Royale."
• Kazuyo Sejima (born 1956) — World-renowned architect. A native of Hitachi City, Kazuyo Sejima is a laureate of the Pritzker Prize—the most prestigious award in the world of architecture. Her works, distinguished by lightness and minimalism, can be found across the globe. One of the striking examples of her style in her home prefecture is the transparent building of Hitachi Railway Station.