[Ibaraki, Tsukuba–Tsuchiura–Ushiku 2-Day, 1-Night Model Course] Discover Cutting-Edge Science and Enjoy Nature!

Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Tsukuba Station. The first stop is Tsukuba Expo Center, instantly recognizable by its full-scale model of the H-II Rocket.

It is loved as a place where science and technology are shared in an accessible way, allowing everyone to casually experience science and feel it close at hand. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that let you touch, try, learn, and have fun at the same time. Another highlight is being able to experience the mechanisms of science through hands-on activities, such as pressing buttons and operating devices. Above all, the 25.6-meter-diameter dome planetarium is truly spectacular. A sky full of stars and immersive panoramic images fill your field of vision, creating the feeling of being surrounded by the vast universe.

After visiting Tsukuba Expo Center, walk Approx. 5 minutes to Tsukuba Express Tsukuba Station. It’s lunchtime at BiVi Tsukuba, an urban complex located right by the station.

The facility offers a wide range of stores, including restaurants, retail shops, and beauty and wellness services, making it useful for everything from everyday visits to quick stops during sightseeing. The restaurants are gathered on the 3rd floor, and you can choose from Japanese, Western, or Chinese cuisine depending on your mood. There is also a tourist information center on the 1st floor, making it a good place to pick up travel information.

After lunch, head to Tsukuba Bus Center, Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Tsukuba Station. Take a Kanto Railway bus for Approx. 6 minutes and get off at the Busshitsu Zairyo Kenkyuko bus stop to arrive at your next destination, JAXA Tsukuba Space Center. It is one of Japan’s largest space development hubs, where a variety of projects are carried out.

Start by taking a close look at the domestically developed H-II Rocket displayed near the main gate. At the exhibition hall Space Dome, you can get a feel for the front lines of Japan’s space development through test models of satellites and rocket engines, as well as a full-scale model of the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo on the International Space Station. It offers a different sense of scale from the science facilities you visited in the morning, bringing the challenge of space exploration closer to home.

After visiting JAXA Tsukuba Space Center, walk to the Geological Museum.
Located on the grounds of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, this facility introduces geology-related themes in an easy-to-understand way, including the Earth’s history and structure, resources, and natural disasters.

Inside the museum, you’ll explore the formation of the Earth, the geology of the Japanese archipelago, and even dynamic planetary movements such as volcanoes and earthquakes through specimens and illustrated displays. There are also many exhibits of rocks, minerals, and fossils, making this a moment to shift your perspective from the “space” explored at JAXA to the “Earth” beneath your feet.

After visiting the Geological Museum, head to Namiki Nichome bus stop, Approx. 5 minutes on foot away. Take a Kanto Railway bus to Arakawaoki Nishi-guchi, then travel from Arakawaoki Station to Tsuchiura Station on the JR Joban Line.
Check in at Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Tsuchiura, Hoshino Resorts’ first hotel designed to be enjoyed with bicycles, located inside the station building Play Atre Tsuchiura directly connected to Tsuchiura Station. With the entrance right in front of the ticket gates, it is an especially convenient place to stay after a day of travel.

Inside the hotel, you’ll find plenty of services for enjoying a cycling trip, including rental bicycles and suggested cycling routes. At the 24-hour public space TAMARIBA, you can bring in drinks and light snacks bought in the station building and relax however you like.
The next morning, you’ll join the reservation-only Sunrise Scenic Cycling activity, so be sure to make a reservation after checking in.

Lake Kasumigaura, the second-largest lake in Japan, is a cycling spot where you can enjoy riding while taking in lakeside scenery. Surrounded by open views created by the lake and Mount Tsukuba, this is a great place to fully enjoy time on a bicycle.

The Tsukuba Kasumigaura Rinrin Road runs along the lakeshore, making it easy to choose a distance and route that suits your pace. In the quiet early morning hours, you can enjoy a comfortable ride while taking in the changing expressions of the lake surface and the colors of the sky.

After finishing your ride at Lake Kasumigaura, take the JR Joban Line from Tsuchiura Station to Ushiku Station. From there, it’s Approx. 8 minutes on foot to Ushiku Chateau, known as Japan’s first full-scale winery. It is a historic site where red brick buildings from the Meiji era still remain.

Inside the grounds, visit the Denbei Kamiya Memorial Hall, which makes use of the former winery facilities from that time. Through giant wine barrels and machines once used in wine production, you can learn about the history of winemaking in Japan.
After the visit, enjoy lunch at a restaurant set inside a former storage building designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Pair your meal with wine produced at Ushiku Chateau, and don’t forget to stop by the shop afterward.

After visiting Japan’s first full-scale winery, return to Ushiku Station and take a Kanto Railway bus from the east exit bus stop to Ushiku Daibutsu.

Standing 120 meters tall, Ushiku Daibutsu is the world’s tallest bronze Buddha statue and is registered in Guinness World Records. When you stand before it, its overwhelming scale will make you stop in your tracks. The interior of the Buddha can be visited, and inside is divided into five floors. Each level has a different theme, and you can make your way through while viewing the displays. From the chest-level observation deck 85 meters above the ground, you can also enjoy sweeping views of the Kanto Plain.
After your visit, head to the Jodo Garden spreading out at the feet of the Great Buddha. Surrounded by seasonal flowers, it is a peaceful place to spend some quiet time.

The final stop on this trip is Ami Premium Outlets, Approx. 8 minutes by taxi from Ushiku Daibutsu.

This outlet mall is home to Approx. 160 stores, ranging from luxury brands to popular select shops. You can enjoy a wide lineup of international brands, sports makers, and select shops at outlet prices. The spacious, greenery-filled grounds, inspired by the American West Coast, also feature cafes and restaurants, making it easy to take a break between shopping.
For the final shopping time of the trip, take your time and enjoy searching for your favorite items.