Ushiku Daibutsu, a bronze Buddha 120 meters tall, is one of the largest statues in the world, and it stands in the quiet countryside of southern Ibaraki, about an hour from Tokyo. Nearby, the science city of Tsukuba sits at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, a twin-peaked mountain with a cable car, a ropeway and views across the Kanto Plain, and it is also home to the national botanical garden. This guide covers all three, with up-to-date fares, access from Akihabara on the Tsukuba Express and where to stay.
1. Ushiku Daibutsu
Ushiku Daibutsu was completed in 1993 and stands 120 meters tall including its base, so large that it is visible from miles away across the flat farmland. Inside the statue, an elevator rises to an observation level at about 85 meters, and the lower floors hold an incense-filled hall and a golden room lined with thousands of small Buddha statues. Around the statue, a garden is planted with seasonal flowers, including cherry blossoms and moss phlox in spring, and there is a small animal park. Admission is 800 yen for the garden and the inside of the statue, or 500 yen for the garden only. It is open from 9:30 to 17:00 on weekdays and to 17:30 on weekends from March to September, and from 9:30 to 16:30 from October to February. Buses run from the east exit of JR Ushiku Station in about 20 to 25 minutes, but service is limited, especially on weekdays, so check the return times or take a taxi.
2. Mount Tsukuba & Tsukuba Science City
Mount Tsukuba, rising 877 meters above the plain, has been a sacred mountain for over a thousand years and is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. A cable car climbs from Tsukubasan Shrine to the saddle between the twin peaks, and a ropeway runs up from the Tsutsujigaoka side; from the top, clear days bring views as far as Mount Fuji and the Tokyo skyline. From October 1, 2026, both the cable car and the ropeway cost 930 yen one way or 1,860 yen round trip for adults, and night rides run on fall weekends. Hiking trails also lead up in about 90 minutes. The mountain overlooks Tsukuba Science City, a planned city of research institutes and the University of Tsukuba. Space fans can visit the free Space Dome exhibition hall at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center, open from 10:00 to 17:00 on most days, where guided tours must be booked online in advance.
3. Tsukuba Botanical Garden
Tsukuba Botanical Garden is run by Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science and is a peaceful break from sightseeing. Its grounds hold thousands of plant species, arranged as natural woodland of Japanese forest types, along with greenhouses for tropical plants, desert succulents and water plants. Walking paths wind through the trees, and the garden changes with the seasons, from spring flowers to fall leaves. It is a good choice for a quiet morning before heading to Mount Tsukuba, or for travelers interested in Japanese native plants. Admission is 320 yen for adults and university students, and it is free for high school students and younger and for visitors 65 and over. The garden is open from 9:00 to 16:30 (last entry 16:00) and is closed on Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday) and over New Year. It is a short bus or taxi ride from Tsukuba Station.
Where to Stay Near Tsukuba
Where to stay: TsukubaHotel links in this section go to Orbitz. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tsukuba is the most convenient base for this area: the Tsukuba Express links it to Akihabara in about 45 minutes, shuttle buses run to Mount Tsukuba, and Ushiku is a short drive away. Hotels cluster around Tsukuba Station and Kenkyu-gakuen Station, and a few hot spring inns sit on the mountain itself.
Luxury
Hotel Nikko Tsukuba is Tsukuba’s leading full-service hotel, right by Tsukuba Station. For a mountain stay, Tsukubasan Onsen Edoya is a hot spring ryokan on the slopes of Mount Tsukuba.
Full-service hotel by the Tsukuba Express terminal.
Hot spring ryokan on the mountain.
Mid-Range
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tsukuba is a modern, comfortable hotel close to Tsukuba Station and the shuttle bus to the mountain.
Modern hotel near the station and buses.
Budget-Friendly
Toyoko Inn Kenkyu-gakuen Ekimae is a dependable chain hotel next to Kenkyu-gakuen Station, one stop before Tsukuba on the Tsukuba Express.
Toyoko Inn Kenkyu-gakuen Ekimae
Simple, dependable chain hotel by the station.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Buses to Ushiku Daibutsu are infrequent on weekdays; check the timetable at Ushiku Station or take a taxi.
- Mount Tsukuba cable car and ropeway fares rose on October 1, 2026, and there is no longer a round-trip discount.
- Wear proper shoes if you hike Mount Tsukuba; the trails are rocky and can be slippery after rain.
- JAXA’s guided tours at the Tsukuba Space Center must be booked online in advance; bring photo ID.
- Tsukuba Botanical Garden is closed on Mondays, so plan a different day if you want to include it.
Getting there by train: From Akihabara, the Tsukuba Express rapid reaches Tsukuba Station in about 45 minutes; from there, the Tsukuba Mountain Shuttle bus takes about 30 minutes to the base of the cable car. For Ushiku Daibutsu, take the JR Joban Line from Ueno or Tokyo to Ushiku Station. The Tsukuba Express is not covered by the JR Pass, but the Joban Line is. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, see how to get from Narita or Haneda into Tokyo, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Ushiku Daibutsu?
Ushiku Daibutsu is 120 meters tall including its base, making it one of the tallest statues in the world.
How much does it cost to enter Ushiku Daibutsu?
Admission is 800 yen for the garden and the inside of the statue, or 500 yen for the garden only.
How much is the Mount Tsukuba cable car?
From October 1, 2026, the cable car and ropeway each cost 930 yen one way or 1,860 yen round trip for adults.
How do I get to Mount Tsukuba from Tokyo?
Take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara to Tsukuba Station, about 45 minutes, then the Tsukuba Mountain Shuttle bus, about 30 minutes.
