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Offered languages
- English
Are you tired of crowded, overly touristy spots? Would you like to visit places where far fewer tourists go and experience a more authentic side of Japan? Just a short distance from Tokyo, there are many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
This tour takes you to two of them: Ushiku Daibutsu, the world’s tallest bronze statue, and Kashima Jingu, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan. With an experienced, licensed English-speaking guide, you will travel comfortably by Green Car (business class) on the train and by rental car in the countryside.
Enjoy peaceful scenery, deep history, and cultural insights that most visitors never experience. This is a rare opportunity to explore Japan beyond the usual sights—let’s discover something truly special together.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We will inform you of the exact meeting spot at the hotel you choose as your meeting point. Please arrive at the meeting spot 5 minutes before the tour begins.
Itinerary
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1Tokyo Station Marunouchi Ekimae Hiroba
Our licensed English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel (major hotels located in central Tokyo) in the morning. Together, we will take the subway or a JR train to Shinagawa or Tokyo Station, where we will transfer to the JR Joban Line. On this tour, you will enjoy a comfortable ride in the Green Car (business class). Relax during the journey and enjoy views of Tokyo’s suburbs from the window. The train ride takes approximately one hour.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2
After about a one-hour ride on the JR Joban Line, we will get off at Ushiku Station. Ushiku is a local city in Ibaraki Prefecture, located northeast of Tokyo. Your licensed guide will then pick up a rental car, and we will enjoy a short drive to our first destination, Ushiku Daibutsu. Please note that under Japanese law, only Government National Licensed Guide Interpreters are permitted to drive a private vehicle or rental car with white license plates when conducting tours for international visitors.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Completed in 1993, Ushiku Daibutsu is the tallest bronze statue in the world, standing at an impressive height of 120 meters. It is a Guinness World Record holder and is nearly three times taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York. The statue is located on the vast grounds of a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple. The statue is so massive that the Great Buddha of Nara could fit on the palm of Ushiku Daibutsu’s hand. During your visit, you will learn about Buddhism in Japan and explore the interior of the statue. An elevator will take you up to an observation deck located around the statue’s chest, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscaped grounds. The area also features local souvenir shops and food stalls where you can enjoy a variety of Japanese street food and sweets.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included -
4
After visiting Ushiku Daibutsu, we will enjoy a pleasant one-hour drive to Kashima City, located near Lake Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan. Our next stop is Kashima Jingu, one of the most renowned Shinto shrines in the country. Shinto is one of Japan’s two major religions and is also its indigenous belief system. While there are countless Shinto shrines throughout Japan, Kashima Jingu is among the oldest. It is traditionally believed to have been established in 660 BCE, the year of the ascension of Japan’s legendary first emperor, Emperor Jimmu. Set within an ancient forest, the shrine features many impressive buildings and a serene atmosphere. Your guide will explain the differences between Shinto and Buddhism and how both religions influence daily life in Japan. You will also have time to browse the shrine shop, where a wide variety of good-luck charms are sold. Let’s experience Japan’s native religion, Shinto, in this sacred and historic setting.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5
There are traditional restaurants located in front of the shrine, serving dishes such as soba (buckwheat noodles), tempura, and sushi. We can enjoy a Japanese-style lunch at one of these restaurants. (Lunch is optional.)
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
After lunch, the guide will drive back to Ushiku Station. During the one-hour drive, you can enjoy views of rural Japan that are rarely seen in more touristy areas. After arriving at the station, we will take the same JR Joban Line Green Car back to Tokyo.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
7Tokyo Station Marunouchi Ekimae Hiroba
After arriving at Tokyo Station, your guide will take you back to your hotel or the original pick-up location from the morning by subway or train. Your amazing one-day private tour concludes at your hotel. We hope you truly enjoyed the experience!
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A subway or local JR train will be used after picking you up at your hotel, and the same applies for the drop-off service.
- If your hotel is situated outside our designated pick-up range and alternative transportation, such as a subway, is not feasible, guests are responsible for covering the fare. This includes the cost for both the guide's transportation to the first destination and from the last destination back to your hotel.
- Due to weather condition or other operational reasons, the itinerary may be subject to change or certain visits may be omitted or substituted. Even in such circumstances, the tour may not be canceled, and the tour fare will not be refunded.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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