Tsukuba / Ushiku

Top Things to do

• Ushiku Daibutsu

  4.0

  413 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Ushikushi Kunochou 2083

  World’s largest free-standing bronze statue—at 120 meters. The inner body is divided into five levels—one floor for trying sutras, one floor with 3,400 internal buddha statues, and an observatory deck where you can see Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree from a height of 85 meters. There’s plenty to enjoy in the area too, from the small zoo where you can see monkey acrobatics or feed small animals to the Pure Land-style gardens with beautiful flowers in each season.

• Tsukubasan-jinja Shrine

  4.0

  182 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Tsukuba 1-1

  Tsukubasan-jinja Shrine enshrines the spirits of Mt. Tsukuba, a holy mountain in the eastern Kanto region. Its mention in 25 of the poems in the Nara period collection of poems the Manyoshu shows that it was well known even then but its history is said to stretch back almost 3,000 years. Tsukuba’s god and goddess Izanagi and Izanami give benefits towards marriages and harmonious unions. Many visitors come to the shrine for the New Year’s Eve and New Year festivals.

• Tsukuba Wanwan Land

  3.5

  79 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Numata 579

  Tsukuba Wanwan Land is a large-scale interactive zoo where you can pat the animals. A landmark is Mokkun, an 11-meter high wooden statue which is a dog-shaped observatory. Dogs are the main attraction, and there are about 500 dogs from 90 breeds. You can pat your favorite dog as well as experience walking with it. In addition to dogs, there is a building which houses cats only and an area which you can pat small animals so you can experience interacting with a wide range of animals. Entry with your pet dog is available. Your dog can use a dog run, and there are events in which it can participate.

• Tsukuba Expo Center

  4.0

  102 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Aduma 2-9

  At this science museum you can see, touch, and enjoy leading edge science. Along with displays that let you learn and experience the mysteries of science you can view miraculous videos and gorgeous starry skies in one of the world’s largest planetariums. With regular events including science shows and lectures you’re sure to make a new discovery every time you visit.

• Asahi Beer Ibaraki Factory

  4.5

  68 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Moriyashi Midori 1-1-1

  There is a 10-minute free shuttle bus from Moriya Station on the Tsukuba Express Line to reach the Asahi Beer Ibaraki Factory. Starting with a video at the orientation theater enjoy learning about the bottling process and environmental initiatives from the tour guides. After the tour try a sample of Asahi Super Dry and Dry Black fresh from the factory (there is a 20-minute, three drink per person limit). There’s also a giftshop with novelties and factory exclusive items as well as a garden that you can explore either before or after your tour.

• Iias TSUKUBA

  4.0

  20 Reviews

  Ibaraki Tsukuba-shi Kenkyu-gakuen 5-19

• Mt. Tsukuba

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Tsukuba

  An 877 meter tall mountain located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture which has two peaks—Nantai-san and Nyotai-san (“men's body” and “female body,” respectively). Due to the color the mountain takes on in the morning and at dusk, it is also known as “Violet Peak,” and has been popularly worshipped as a sacred mountain since ancient times. Over 1,000 varieties of plants grow on the mountain, and visitors can enjoy the sight of various plant lives here throughout the year. A cable car and ropeway provide convenient access to the top of the mountain, making it easy even for children and senior citizens to enjoy the beautiful view. On Saturday, Sunday, and holiday evenings from October to the end of February (excluding during bad weather, the New Year's holidays, and safety inspections), visitors can ride the ropeway as part of a special “Stardust Cruising” event and take in the beautiful nightscape of the surrounding area.

• National Museum of Nature and Science (Tsukuba Botanical Garden)

  4.5

  56 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Amakubo 4-1-1

  Located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this botanical garden is a part of the National Museum of Nature and Science, fully utilizing its position amid the rich nature at the southern base of Mt. Tsukuba, 7,000 species of plants—tropical and temperate—from Japan and around the world are cultivated here. General visitors can see roughly 3,000 of them. The garden is divided into nine sections, like evergreens, shrubs, aquatic plants, etc., and features three greenhouses recreating environments like the savannah and the tropical rainforest. You can see many rare foreign plants here.

• Ibaraki Prefectural Doho Park

  4.0

  76 Reviews

  Ibaraki Pref. Tsukubashi Ninomiya 2-20

  Ibaraki Prefectural Doho Park located in Tsukuba City is a prefectural urban park. Seasonal trees spread out around the Doho Pond. In addition to an athletics field and a gymnasium, which is available for a fee, it is equipped with a year-round heated pool and tennis courts with night lighting. There is also an athletic facility which is free of charge and families can also enjoy it together. It holds sports classes such as tennis and swimming, events such as ground golf competitions, and orienteering.