Tsukuba's main attraction for tourists is Mount Tsukuba, a double-peaked mountain with a lot of history. A well-marked "tour bus" drives from the Tsukuba Express Train Station to Tsukuba Shrine for ¥700 each way.
Tsukuba Shrine- Notable for a huge bell and Nikko-style carvings, this shrine lies at the foot of the hiking path/cable car.
Ascend Mount Tsukuba- There are several hiking paths up the mountain, the most direct of which will get you to the top in about an hour. However, the longest trail offers the most cultural sights, such as a large stone Buddha. The not so fit can take the cable car to the top for ¥500.
Tsukuba Summit- The terminus of the cable car features several restaurants, souvenir stores, and snack shops. The true summit of Nantai-san is a short additional hike. The twin summit of Nyotai-san boasts a dramatic granite formation, a small shrine, and the famous toad-shaped rock, Gama-ishi.
