Ushiku Big Buddha

The largest stone Buddha in the world until 2003, the Big Buddha in Ushiku is certainly big and on a clear day, an impressive site. However, there is nothing else nearby, in a part of Japan that is famous for having nothing much to do. Ibaraki has several tourist traps including a literal bridge to nowhere, and the Ushiku Big Buddha, while impressive, is one of them.

“When Japan” isn’t going to recommend you go there. It is so far away, including a bus ride after a 2 hours train, that you will spend more time traveling that you do at the site itself. The park is nice, and there are a few added attractions meant for families to keep the children interested (petting zoo). However, it isn’t worth coming all the way to Japan to see, considering getting there will take up a whole day and it is not on the way to anything worth your time.