Ibaraki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The nuclear industry and government largess form the basis of the local economy. Main agricultural products include rice, sweet potatoes and Japanese radish. The commercial fishing industry is important, and main fishery products include whitebait, sardines, flounder and clams. Marine food processing includes salted and dried horse mackerel, smelt and sardines and boiled octopus. Education Ōarai has two public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education. Transportation Railway – Kashima Rinkai Railway Ōarai Kashima Line Ōarai Station Highway Seaport Port of Ōarai (A MOL Ferry operates two ferries to Tomakomai, Hokkaidō daily) Local attractions Ōarai attracts 3 million visitors a year. Tourist attractions include bathing beaches, yacht and cruiser marina, marine sports, camping site, fishing, aquarium, and a famous golf course. It is known for its monkfish. Ōarai Beach Aqua World (formerly Ōarai Aquarium) Ōarai Marine Tower Ōarai Sea Museum Ōarai Museum of Art Ōarai Museum of Bakumatsu-Meiji History "Kurumazuka-kofun" and "Kagamizuka-kofun" Ōarai Isozaki Jinja Noted people from Ōarai Kei Igawa. professional baseball player Hiromoto Okubo. professional baseball player Akua Shōma. professional sumo wrestler In popular culture The city has become an anime pilgrimage location due to being the setting for the popular franchise Girls und Panzer. The main characters of the animated series study in a huge ship originally based in Ōarai. Real locations in the city are depicted faithfully, prompting fans to visit the town and giving a boost to local commerce. References External links Official Website Towns in Ibaraki Prefecture Port settlements in Japan Populated coastal places in Japan Ōarai, Ibaraki