Ushiku Daibutsu, Ibaraki, Japan is the tallest bronze Buddha statue in the world! You can go inside of the statue, try a copying Buddhist scriptures in silence, have a view from the observatory deck, etc. Here are tips and guide, how to visit from Tokyo a day trip.
The Tallest Bronze Buddha in The World
It’s the biggest standing Buddha statue in the world and 110 meters high, for your reference, the Buddha statue in Nara is 15 meters high, the statue of Liberty is 46 meters high. It is registered to Guinness World Record as “The Tallest Bronze Buddha Statue”.
You can go inside of this statue of Buddha.
Admission Fee
Set of Inside of Buddha & Pureland Garden : Adult / 800yen, Kid (from 4 years old to Elementary school student) / 400yen
Pureland Garden : Adult / 500yen, Kid (from 4 years old to Elementary school student) / 300yen
Inside Of Buddha
World of Gratitude and Thankfulness
On 2nd floor, You can do Shakyou which is a hand-copying Buddhist scriptures. I could focus on it and it was a good practice to think nothing but doing it.
World of the Lotus Sanctuary
There are about 3300 of small golden statue of Buddha, and it representatives “Sukhāvatī” = Pureland, heaven, etc. on 3rd floor.
Room of Mt.Grdhrakuta
On 4th, There is śarīra = body where you can make a pray.
Observation Deck
You can get an elevator to go to the deck where is 85 meters high, you can have a great 360° view of the city. It’s not same as the view you get in Tokyo, obviously. You might find Tokyo Sky Tree and Mt. Fuji if you are lucky!
Pureland Garden
The Biggest Incense Burner
The incense burner here is the biggest one in Japan, which is 2m 50cm wide. You can get a bunch of incense sticks, and put it inside of the burner.
Flower
There are beautiful flowers blooming in each season. For instance,
- Early April – Sakura (cherry blossom)
- Late April to May – Poppy, Peony
- October – Cosmos
Nakamise Dori Street
It’s not huge like Asakusa, but there is a small street with shops where you can buy souvenirs and foods. I bought myself a soft-served ice cream!
Garden Terrace
If you have kids, they might want to check here! This is a place where you can rest and you can see and pet animals.
Information
- Closed in December and February
- Petting zoo is available only on Sunday and national holidays
- Monkey show – every day besides Friday for any season. On weekend in December and February.
How To Access To Ushikubo Buddha
You can get JR Joban Line from Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, Nippori station in Tokyo, and take off at Ushiku station.
Go to the East exit, No.2 bus stop to get a bus to “Ushiku Daibutsu” or “Ami Outlet”. Take off at “Ushiku Daibutsu”. It takes 20-30 mins.
You can go to Ushiku as a day trip from Tokyo, and there are also some places to go around Ushiku Daibutsu! Enjoy your visit to Ushiku Big Buddha, Ibaraki!
