Moriya between Castle Park and the Bird Path

A castle park with visible dry moats, trails through woodland and wetlands, and a park with irises and play equipment give the town of Moriya a range of things to explore. You can shape your stay around nature trails, cultural history, or a visit to a park. When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to first consider which of these experiences matter most to you.

Castle remains and a wooden boardwalk

The ruins of Moriya Castle, laid out as a castle park, are in Honchō. Information boards and cleared vegetation make the surviving dry moats visible. The grounds combine a walk with clearly identifiable traces of the former castle. Historically, the castle is attributed to the Sōma clan; another tradition describes it as the residence of Taira no Masakado. Treat these as two different attributions.

A wooden boardwalk in the lower section of the wetland trail is another feature to note when finding your way around: on November 10, 2024, a boardwalk about 320 meters long was completed there, directly connecting the existing boardwalk to the ruins of Moriya Castle. The route brings together a nature trail and castle history.

Nature trails with different character

The Moriya Bird Path is 4.8 kilometers long in total. It includes five woodland trails with dirt paths and a wetland trail with a wooden boardwalk. The trail winds through nature and invites you to experience birdsong and Moriya’s natural surroundings. For a longer walk, it offers several types of trail sections rather than just one surface. The north entrance is about a 15-minute walk from Moriya Station’s Yasaka Exit. Allow around 15 minutes; walking time may vary depending on trail conditions.

Another option is Kōfuku no Michi: the trail runs from Minami-Moriya Station to Matsugaoka and is slightly more than two kilometers long. It is for pedestrians and bicycles only. It is suitable for jogging, walking dogs, and morning walks; it is also described as safe for young children when accompanied. Comparing the two trails can help with planning your day: the Bird Path includes woodland and wetland sections, while Kōfuku no Michi is a shorter route between the stated endpoints.

Views and play equipment at Shiki no Sato Park

Shiki no Sato Park has a viewpoint near the middle of the pond, offering a good view over the park. Children’s play equipment, including a slide and swings, is another specific reason to visit the park with children. About 38,800 Hanashōbu and Ayame irises also grow there. Blooming varies by season; if the irises are especially important to you, you can plan your trip around them.

Cultural events and planning your trip

Moriya City’s commercial festival, “きらめき守谷夢彩都フェスタ,” features Yosakoi Sōran dances and other performances. If you would like to include the festival in your stay, check the dates and the program for the relevant year.

When looking for a vacation rental in Moriya, you can base your choice on your preferred plans for the day: would you like to focus on a longer nature trail, a route reserved for pedestrians and bicycles, or a park visit with views and play equipment? The castle remains add a cultural and historical perspective to these options.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hitachinaka, Tsukuba, Ryugasaki, Miho, Kashima, Chikusei, Kitaibaraki, Koga.

For the overview of the wider area: Ibaraki Prefecture.