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If you're planning a trip to Japan, especially Sapporo, don't forget to visit Makomanai Takino Cemetery to admire its architectural masterpiece. Although called a cemetery, it boasts a picturesque landscape and stunning architecture.
According to the architectural magazine Dezeen, the statue is "hidden" inside a giant well located in the center of this hill. From a distance, only the head of the statue is visible, and the full statue can only be admired when entering the well. To reach it, visitors must pass through a tunnel approximately 40 meters long to reach the inside of the well.
The well's ring is formed from a winding concrete circle that narrows gradually from bottom to top, creating a sense of gentle height against the sky. The tunnel leading into the well is softly illuminated, creating a feeling of profound, mysterious space; the central circular area is bathed in natural light, creating a bright and elegant atmosphere.
Around the well, over 150,000 purple lavender plants are grown, creating a beautiful and dreamy scene. In winter, snow accumulates and covers the statue's head, adding to its mystical beauty.
Tadao Ando is a renowned architect known for his stunning and innovative works. He completed the "Hill of the Buddha" in 2015, but it only recently gained widespread public attention thanks to photos circulating on the internet.
“Fifteen years ago, the initial intention for the project was simply to build a prayer hall to highlight the beauty of the Buddha statue. The chosen location was a gently sloping hill with a 180˚ gradient within the cemetery grounds,” Ando shared.
“But until recently, we realized that leaving the statue alone and isolated would create an ‘unsettling’ impression. The project's owner wanted to bring a more tranquil feeling to visitors. Therefore, I decided to place it on a hill and cover the entire hillside with lavender. After covering it, the scene became more pleasant, with the Buddha's head peeking out interestingly from behind the lavender bushes. We called this idea 'The Buddha's Head Peeking Out.' The addition of seasonal vegetation to this project has created a beautiful backdrop for all four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter."
Ando is a renowned architect not only in Japan but also worldwide. He won the Pritzker Prize in 1995, the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1997, and the AIA Gold Medal in 2002. He ranked 16th on Dezeen Architecture magazine's "hot" list. Many of Ando's recently completed architectural and artistic projects are described as picture-perfect.
