Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-09-14 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
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Our guide
Ushiku Daibutsu is a bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha, and its size is the reason to come: 120 m tall including its 10 m base and 10 m lotus platform. When it was completed in 1993 it was the tallest statue in the world, a record it held until 2008; as of 2023 it is the fifth-tallest. It was built to commemorate the birth of Shinran, founder of the Jōdo Shinshū school of Buddhism, and a lift takes visitors up inside it to an observation floor 85 m up.
It is not near a station. From the east exit of JR Ushiku Station, a Kanto Railway bus from stop 2 reaches the Ushiku Daibutsu stop in about 20–30 minutes. There are two kinds of ticket, one that includes the inside of the Buddha and a cheaper garden-only one. Tickets stop 45 minutes before closing, and closing time changes with the season.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Okiku Daibutsu Cherry Blossoms — Manish Prabhune · CC0 · source · resized
- NRT Nov08 008-3 — Hagsfam · Public domain · source · resized
- Ushiku Buddha Statue Parking Area — Dandy1022 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Ushiku Daibutsu - Great Buddha in Japan — Manish Prabhune · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- Ushiku Daibutsu Guinness Book Provment — KrasseChecker · Public domain · source · resized
- Ushiku Daibutsu PXL 20250223 061315977.MP — Natsui river · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
What this place is
Ushiku Daibutsu (牛久大仏) is a statue located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Completed in 1993, it stands a total of 120 metres (390 ft) tall, including the 10 m (33 ft) base and 10 m lotus platform. It held the record for the tallest statue from 1993 to 2008 and as of 2023, it is the fifth-tallest statue in the world. An elevator takes visitors up 85 m (279 ft) to an observation floor. The statue depicts Amitabha Buddha and is made of bronze. It is also known as Ushiku ARCADIA (Amida's Radiance and Compassion Actually Developing and Illuminating Area). It was built to commemorate the birth of Shinran, founder of the Jōdo Shinshū 浄土真宗 or "True Pure Land School" of Buddhism.
Visitor information checked: 2026-09-14 · Ushiku Daibutsu: fees and opening hours · Ushiku Daibutsu: access
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Temple
Getting there by public transport
- From the east exit of JR Ushiku Station (Joban Line), take a Kanto Railway bus from stop 2 bound for Ushiku Daibutsu / Ushiku Jōen or for Ami Premium Outlets, and get off at Ushiku Daibutsu (about 20–30 minutes).
- Fare one way ¥730 on weekdays, ¥560 on the direct bus at weekends and holidays.
Route checked: 2026-09-15 · Ushiku Daibutsu: fees and opening hours · Ushiku Daibutsu: access · Timetables change — check the operator before you travel.
Where to stay nearby
Hotels near Ushiku Daibutsu on Agoda
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