Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I would like to introduce Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from central Tokyo. Ibaraki Prefecture Mentai Park Oarai is a theme park run by a mentaiko manufacturer called Kanefuku, and is a facility where you can see the manufacturing process and history of mentaiko, and enjoy sampling and selling mentaiko. I arrived there in about two and a half hours on my beloved Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide via the Shuto Expressway and the Joban Expressway. This time, I will tell you about Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, the route to Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, the highlights of Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, the motorcycle parking lot at Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, and a summary.
What is Ibaraki Prefecture Mentai Park Oarai?
Ibaraki Prefecture Mentai Park Oarai is a theme park opened in 2018 by Kanefuku, a mentaiko manufacturer headquartered in Fukuoka Prefecture. Kanefuku directly ships pollack eggs, the raw material for mentaiko, from Hokkaido, and uses these fresh eggs to manufacture mentaiko at Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture. At Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, there are exhibition corners and experience corners where you can watch the mentaiko manufacturing process through glass and learn about the history and culture of mentaiko. There is also plenty of tasting and sales of mentaiko, and you can purchase not only mentaiko but also original Kanefuku products and local specialties. Additionally, at the seaside park adjacent to Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, you can enjoy activities such as swimming and fishing.
Route to Ibaraki Prefecture Mentai Park Oarai
I took a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture. The starting point was Chuo Ward, and we headed to Ginza via Kobikicho Street from Kamei Bridge. From there, I took the Shuto Expressway’s Inner Loop Line and transferred to Shuto Expressway No. 6 at Edobashi JCT. On Shuto Expressway No. 6, I entered the Shuto Expressway Chuo Loop Line at Horikiri JCT and boarded the Misato Line. I took the Joban Expressway from the Misato Line and transferred to the Kita-Kanto Expressway at Tomobe JCT. From the Kita-Kanto Expressway, take the Higashi-Mito Road and exit at the Mito-Oarai IC. From Mito Oarai IC, we turned left onto National Route 51 and arrived at our destination in about 10 minutes. The whole trip took about 2 and a half hours.
Highlights of Mentai Park Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture
The highlight of Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture is that you can see the manufacturing process and history of mentaiko. Admission is free, and the guide will provide detailed explanations. During the mentaiko manufacturing process, you can watch through the glass as pollock eggs are salted, seasoned, and vacuum packed. In the history and culture of mentaiko, you can learn about the origin of mentaiko, how it was introduced to Japan, the types of mentaiko and how to eat it, etc. through exhibition panels and videos. You can also enjoy tasting and selling mentaiko at Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture. At the tasting corner, you can try various flavors of mentaiko, including its original taste and spiciness. At the sales corner, you can purchase not only mentaiko but also original Kanefuku products and local specialties.
Motorcycle parking lot in Mentai Park Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture
There is a parking lot exclusively for motorcycles at Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture. The parking lot is located a little far from the main entrance of the facility, but there are signs so it’s easy to find. The parking lot is large and well-maintained, with plenty of space to park your bike. Parking is free. I was able to find parking right away when I arrived on my motorbike. It is approximately a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the facility.
Summary
This time, I introduced Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from central Tokyo. Ibaraki Prefecture Mentai Park Oarai is a theme park where you can see the manufacturing process and history of mentaiko, and enjoy tasting and selling mentaiko. I arrived there in about two and a half hours on my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide.
It’s within the Kanto Plain and can be reached on a day trip, so I think it’s a touring spot that can be enjoyed both as a stopover point when touring and as a destination.
