Major city · Japan
Ushiku牛久
Skip Ushiku unless you are a Buddha-statue completist or live in Ibaraki: the Daibutsu is a 30-min stop, the rest is a commuter town with little else for a traveller.
Ushiku is a bedroom suburb of Tokyo and Tsukuba. Its only draw is the 120-m Ushiku Daibutsu, the world's tallest Buddha statue, with an elevator to an 85-m chest-level viewpoint. The former winery (Ushiku Chateau) and a small iris garden fill a half-day at most. Most travellers should skip it or combine it with a day in Tsukuba or Mito.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jun (rainy season)
- Airports
- NRT · HND
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ushiku110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ushiku, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe; typical Japanese small-city safety.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNRT Narita International Airport (About 1 h by JR Narita Express to Tokyo, then 1 h by JR Joban Line to Ushiku; or direct highway bus (check).).
- Getting aroundUshiku is walkable only near the station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealRamen bowl¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7)
- BeerBeer (can at konbini)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to Daibutsu¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus from station to Daibutsu¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketDaibutsu entry (statue + garden)¥800 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥8,000 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥11,000 (≈ US$75)
- High-end bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥16,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NRT Narita International Airport (About 1 h by JR Narita Express to Tokyo, then 1 h by JR Joban Line to Ushiku; or direct highway bus (check).) · HND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 1 h by Keikyu Line to Tokyo, then 1 h by JR Joban Line to Ushiku.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ushiku: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Ushiku is walkable only near the station. The Daibutsu is 4 km east: take a taxi (about ¥1,500) or the local bus (check frequency). Bicycle rental is available at the station (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Joban Line to Tsuchiura, then bus or taxi (about 40 min total)
Science museums and Mt. Tsukuba; combine with Ushiku for a full day.
Door to door: About 40 min
JR Joban Line, about 30 min
Kairaku-en garden and the art museum; a half-day from Ushiku.
Tsuchiura
goDoor to door: About 20 min
JR Joban Line, about 10 min
Lake Kasumigaura and the old merchant quarter; a short stop.
Hitachi
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Joban Line, about 1 h 10 min
Hitachi Seaside Park for flowers; best in spring and autumn.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Ushiku Station
A few business hotels; convenient for the JR line but no nightlife.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business hotel single room1 × 1 night × ¥8,000 | ¥8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Taxi from Ushiku Station to Daibutsu (one way)1 × ¥1,500 · check | ¥1,500 |
| Daibutsu entry (statue interior + garden)1 × ¥800 · check | ¥800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × ¥2,500 | ¥2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,280 |
| Trip total≈ ¥25,080 per person per day, bed included | ¥25,080≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ramen bowl | ¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi from station to Daibutsu | ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14) |
| Daibutsu entry (statue + garden) | ¥800 (≈ US$6) |
| Bus from station to Daibutsu | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ushiku Daibutsu closes at 17:00 (last entry 16:30); check the official site for seasonal hours.Ushiku Daibutsu closes at 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM); check the official site for seasonal hours.
- The iris garden is best in June; outside bloom season it is a quiet park.
- Ushiku Chateau has limited opening hours: check the website before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Ushiku牛久
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Tokyo; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo or consulates in Osaka.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tokyo (Ueno) → Ushiku, JR Joban Line: about ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14), about 1 h (check)
- Ushiku Station → Daibutsu, taxi: ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14), about 10 min
- Ushiku Station → Daibutsu, bus: about ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4), about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 大仏はどこですか？ — Where is the Buddha statue? (daibutsu wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ushiku. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jun (rainy season) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours and entry rules (Daibutsu, Chateau, iris garden).
- Transport page with bus schedules from Ushiku Station to the Daibutsu.
- Eat page with local restaurants near the station.
Sources
Ask about Ushiku
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