After the success of my latest put up about Samurai cities, it dawned on me that maybe an analogous one about massive Buddhas in Japan would carry out properly. I put it on my schedule—and, to my shock and delight, am sitting down to put in writing it lower than per week later.
On one hand, that is an article I solely might’ve written now, almost 13 years after my first journey to Japan. Not way back, I would’ve lacked the expertise crucial to place a compelling round-up of Daibutsu collectively.
Alternatively, the October 2026 “authentic” model of this put up won’t be closing. Should you can imagine it, there are nonetheless Buddhas on my Japan bucket listing!
Buddhism (Typically) Take a Again Seat in Japan
The truth that so many individuals scour the web for suggestions of visiting the three nice Buddhas of Japan hides a broader fact. Particularly, that whereas Buddhism is sort of seen in Japan, it’s really solely the second-most in style faith within the nation, and by a reasonably lengthy shot. Japan’s homegrown Shinto faith (which, at the least superficially, can typically appear the identical or just like Buddhism to Western eyes) is by much more widespread.
With this being mentioned, there’s a wealthy Buddhist heritage in Japan, each by way of temples in principally each Japanese metropolis (Tokyo’s Senso-ji is a straightforward instance that the majority vacationers know), in addition to devoted experiences all through the nation. I’m considering specifically about Mt. Koya, which was based over a millennia by Kukai, the monk who was credited in making Buddhism mainstream in Japan within the first place.
The place to Discover Japan’s Massive Buddhas
Kotoku-in, Kamakura
The unhealthy information? The large Buddha of Kotoku-in temple in Kamakura is firmly on the vacationer path. Even in case you get to Hase Station proper earlier than the opening time and are one of many first to enter, there might be dozens (if not lots of) of different individuals there by the point you end. The excellent news? It’s nonetheless spectacular, and is very lovely amid autumn leaves or spring’s cherry blossoms.
Todai-ji, Nara
The second-most well-known amongst Japan Buddha pictures is the one housed in Nara‘s Todai-ji temple. Just like the one in Kamakura, this Daibutsu is a significant vacationer attraction. Nevertheless, Nara presents much more non-Buddha sights than Kamakura, with deer-filled Nara Park and the serene Kasuga Shrine simply steps away from Todai-ji.
Takaoka Daibutsu, Toyama
Of the three nice Buddhas of Japan, the Takaoka Daibutsu is the least-crowded one, which is smart. Takaoka, as a lot as I personally prefer it, is just not precisely a well-liked vacationer metropolis. Should you do determine to make the journey right here, you may simply come on a day journey from Toyama, which may embody a cease on the Amaharashi Coast in case you’re touring by practice, or span a bigger portion of the Noto Peninsula in case you’ll be driving.
Ushiku Daibutsu, Ibaraki
Ushiku Daibutsu is exclusive amongst Japan Buddha statues—and never simply because it’s situated in underrated Ibaraki prefecture. Particularly, it’s a standing Buddha, and due to this posture, is definitely the tallest Buddha statue in Japan total. Due to its distant location, nonetheless, you principally must have a automobile with the intention to get right here.
Nijon-ji Daibutsu, Chiba
The Nihon-ji Daibutsu in Chiba, in contrast, is definitely accessible not solely by public transportation (particularly, the Nokogiriyama Ropeway from Hama-Kanaya Station), however can also be straightforward to do as a day journey from Tokyo. Even higher? Along with the Buddha itself being spectacular, the hilltop complicated presents unbelievable views throughout Tokyo Bay, together with of Mt. Fuji on a transparent day.
Nanzo-in, Fukuoka
Inquisitive about the place Japan’s reclining Buddha is situated? Probably the most well-known one is at Nanzo-in, a temple that’s a brief practice experience east of Hakata Station in Fukuoka. Along with being exceptional each by way of its measurement and its flattering patina end, it’s a spot you may go to rapidly sufficient to mix with different locations, be that the yatai meals stalls of central Fukuoka, or Daizaifu Tenman-gu shrine simply south of the town.
Hill of the Buddha, Sapporo
Makomanai Takino Cemetery close to Sapporo is known primarily for its replicas of the Easter Island monoliths, however can also be house to Atama Daibutsu, identified in English because the Hill of the Buddha. It’s most lovely in July, when its hill is roofed in Hokkaido’s well-known lavender, however is price visiting at any time of yr.
Honorable Point out: Sendai Daikannon
Past the distinction between Buddhism and Shinto, one other distinction is usually misplaced on foreigners. I’m speaking, in fact, concerning the distinction between a Daibatsu standing and a Kannon one. In Chinese language-speaking international locations, Kannon is known as Guan Yin; in each instances, Guan Yin/Kannon pictures signify the Goddess of Mercy. She is just not, opposite to rumour all through Asia, a “girl Buddha,” even when there’s a visible case to be made for that.
I deliver the Kannon vs Buddha debate up to not feign being a non secular scholar, however to qualify my honorable point out: The Sendai Daikannon is just not a Buddha picture. It’s, nonetheless, an enormous and memorable piece of Buddhist structure, and one which I extremely advocate you go to in case you occur to be within the hub of southern Tohoku. TIP: When you have a zoom lens however no time, look carefully if you’re discover the Aoba Fort ruins to see the statue towering within the distance.
Different FAQ About Massive Buddhas in Japan
The place are the three nice Buddhas of Japan?
You will discover three nice Buddhas of Japan, in no explicit order, at Kotoku-in in Kamakura, Todai-ji in Nara, and on the Takaoka Daibutsu in Takaoka metropolis in Toyama prefecture. Nevertheless, there are a lot of different spectacular Buddha pictures all through Japan, so don’t really feel constrained by a “High 3” rating.
What’s the most well-known Buddha statue in Japan?
Most vacationers regard Kotoku-in, the “Massive Buddha” of Kamakura, to be probably the most well-known Buddha statue in Japan. Nevertheless, two different Daibutsu (in Nara and in Takaoka metropolis, Toyama prefecture) are additionally quite well-known. Moreover, particular Buddhas all through Japan (the standing certainly one of Ushiku in Ibaraki; Fukuoka’s “reclining” one at Nanzo-in) are additionally more and more well-known.
The place is the huge Buddha in Japan?
There are a variety of very giant Buddha statues in Japan, however the nice Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in temple is the biggest outside sitting Buddha in Japan, and the best-known one within the nation by an extended shot. Absolutely the largest, in the meantime, is Ibaraki prefecture’s Ushiku Daibutsu, a standing Buddha picture that’s a comparatively brief distance from Narita Airport.
The Backside Line
Looking for massive Buddhas in Japan, past the same old suspects? I’ve spent greater than a decade exploring the nation, and whereas Daibutsu have hardly ever been the goal of any explicit journey, I’ve added lots of them to my rolodex over time. In fact, the aforementioned standard suspects—the three “nice” Buddhas of Japan in Kamakura, Nara and Takaoka—completely dwell as much as each little bit of the hype constructed up round them. Nonetheless, I do advocate trying out others, whether or not you achieve this on a day journey from Tokyo to underrated Mt. Nokogiri, or in case you occur to have a free day in Sapporo or Fukuoka. Want personalised assist placing your subsequent Japan journey collectively? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!