Delight in glorious swaths of blooming color in this Ibaraki Prefecture port city that’s roughly 80 miles northeast of Tokyo. Originally developed as a company town for Hitachi in 1994, Hitachinaka is today renowned for its peaceful beaches, a bustling fish market and magnificent gardens. The most celebrated is Hitachi Seaside Park, a nearly 500-acre oasis with dozens of flowers species that include 170 varieties of tulips and millions of blue nemophila. Rub elbows with local chefs seeking the day’s catch at Nakaminato Fish Market before dining on an expertly prepared dish. Enjoy more floral brilliance at Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan’s finest.