Firstly, I highly recommend checking out the Ibaraki Nature Museum with kids.
Another suggested Ibaraki Prefecture outing is a day trip to Ushiku Daibutsu.
I can’t believe I’ve been in Japan this long and not even heard of a potential visit to Ushiku Daibutsu. Must be mixing in the wrong Buddhist circles then , eh? (!!)
This is the tallest buddhist statue and third tallest statue in the world !!
It is just magnificent!!! We drove there and, understandably, were able to spot this majestic beauty even ten minutes prior to arrival!!!!! Amazing!
I was that loser who couldn’t stop taking pictures from the parking lot!
It was actually an easy day trip with kids as it had a playground right at the bottom of the statue, bells to ring, food stalls at the entrance and a (dodgy and a little bit gross) petting zoo too. There are also good nappy changing facilities.
The tour and elevator inside of the Buddha Statue was interesting for everyone. Warning : My two struggled a little bit at the beginning in the elevator. The scene is set in total darkness in preparation for an enlightenment floor – but it was a bit too much darkness for my little humans. So you may need to warn your little people that it will happen and it will end. Once we were at the top my kiddies loved walking through the mini-museum and observation window sections.
On a clear day, I’m told that you can see the Tokyo Sky Tree and Mt. Fuji! ( Let me know if you did – we weren’t so lucky.)
Before entering the statue we were asked to remove shoes and carry them in a plastic bag ( exit is the opposite side to the entrance) so make sure you all wear easily removable shoes – as I suggested in my packing for tokyo with kids article HERE
I was also able to leave my stroller outside the statue entrance and walk around to collect later.
As I mentioned above there is a small playground at the base of the statue – at the back after taking the statue interior tour. There is a change room and breastfeeding room just behind the playground too.
And, also, like I mentioned above, there is a very underwhelming petting zoo. Rabbits and guinea pigs etc..there was also another section with some farm animals and a performing monkey show ( sorry to be THAT lady but I don’t know how I feel about that one….)
The petting zoo was a few hundred yen and children needed to wear gloves at all times (lots of biters about, I presume? !)
Entry is only 700 yen which makes it a cheap day out too.
I wouldn’t hold out for a good meal here but there are food stall treats like fried chicken, yakisoba, warm nuts, pizza, ramen etc. Lots and lots of vending machines too (even the ice-cream vending variety.)
To get there by car was about 1 hour 45 from the city. If you decide to take public transport, it is approximately 1 hour to Ushiku Station* from Tokyo Station and then a 35 minute bus trip to the statue base (Ushiku-Daibutsu bus stop).
If you decide to go by car, be sure to stop off at the Moriya Service Area off the highway on the way back to Tokyo for a rest, and a soft play area play if your kids are wriggly and a drink from the giant Hello Kitty vending machine.
*In front of Ushiku Station is a department store called Izumiya that has two breastfeeding rooms and 3 change tables.
Buses depart at 9.55am, 11.35am, 12.55pm, 1.50pm and 3.20pm; return buses are at 10.35am, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.35pm and 4.10pm on weekdays and 9am, 9.05pm, 10am, 11am, 11.20am, 12pm, 12.50pm, 1.40pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 3.40pm and 4.40pm. Return buses are at 10.25am, 11.25am, 12.10pm, 12.45pm, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 2.45pm, 3.35pm, 3.55pm, 4.35pm and 5.35pm.
USHIKU DAIBUTSU
茨城県牛久市久野町2083
2083 KUNO-CHO, USHIKU-SHI, IBARAKI
OPEN: 9:30AM-4:30PM (WEEKENDS UNTIL 5PM, UNTIL 4PM OCT-FEB)
Another option: We will never ever get bored of Hitachi Seaside Park . The park looks completely different in Spring to how it does in Autumn. It is absolutely breathtaking. At the peak of each of these seasons it extremely popular with domestic tour groups.
As the name suggests, the park is on the water so it can be windy and a bit colder than the middle of town so take a few warmer clothing options, just in case.
As well as all of the natural elements and flower plantations, this park is equipped with food stalls, an amusement park, well manicured rose garden, bike rental and mini-golf.
In Autumn, the hills are covered in Dr. Seuss style bright red kochia plants. Whereas in Spring they are baby blue, decorated with nemophilia flowers.
These are my photos from visits in Spring.
This is what you’ll find in Autumn…
The food stalls here aren’t exactly healthy options but it’s fun to buy a few treats and mix them with your healthier snacks from home. (Warning: everything in this park is cash only.)
My children are crazy for the ‘under the sea’ themed carousel.
The only thing that beats the carousel are the bouncy domes (just near the “Egg Forest.”)
HITACHI KAIHIN KOEN (HITACHI SEASIDE PARK)
茨城県日立中馬渡字大沼605-4
605−4 MAWATARI, HITACHINAKA, IBARAKI
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
OPEN 9:30-5PM
PRICE: CHILDREN UNDER 7 ARE FREE, 7 YEAR OLDS ENTER FOR 80 YEN
ADULTS FOR 410 YEN
ACCESS: THE TRIP TAKES 2 HOURS FROM TOKYO BY CAR AND 2.5 HOURS EACH WAY BY TRAIN.
HITACHI KAIHIN KOEN INFORMATION
