Access to Heiwa Kannon is completely free and the site is open 24 hours a day. The statue is located in Oya Park, which is managed by Utsunomiya City as a public space. Free parking is also available nearby. If you want to visit the neighboring Oyaji Temple and Oya History Museum as well, a combination ticket is available at Utsunomiya Station for 1,850 yen (adults) that includes bus transport and admission to both attractions.
Most visitors spend 15 to 45 minutes exploring the Heiwa Kannon area and surrounding Oya Park, depending on how thoroughly you want to explore. The site features well-maintained paths and staircases that lead around and above the statue, offering different viewing angles and panoramic views across the Oya valley. Many visitors combine their trip with nearby Oyaji Temple (a 3-minute walk) and the Oya History Museum, making it a half-day excursion from Utsunomiya.
While you cannot enter the statue itself, you can climb staircases that lead to elevated viewpoints around and above the monument. These paths allow you to appreciate the statue's impressive scale from different angles and provide panoramic views over Utsunomiya and the surrounding Oya valley. From the upper vantage points, visitors can see the distinctive rock formations of the former quarry and understand why this location was chosen for the memorial.
Spring and autumn are particularly recommended for visiting, when the surrounding nature displays vibrant colors. The site's peaceful atmosphere and natural setting make it especially beautiful during these seasons. Since the statue is accessible 24 hours and located in an open park setting, it can be visited year-round. The area also maintains a tranquil, meditative atmosphere that provides a welcome contrast to the busier tourist sites in nearby cities.
Oyaji Temple is located within walking distance and features Important Cultural Properties including ancient cliff-carved Buddhist reliefs dating back over 1,000 years. The nearby Oya History Museum (about 5 minutes by bus) offers access to a massive underground quarry with dramatic lighting and occasional concerts or exhibitions. Around the statue, visitors can see interesting rock formations with names like Tengu Stone Throwing and Parent and Child Frog. The entire Oya district showcases the region's distinctive stone quarrying heritage, with many buildings and structures incorporating the characteristic Oya stone.
