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The four notable attractions below are places where you can admire magnificent Buddha statues, enjoy beautiful natural scenery, and experience authentic Japanese traditional culture.
1. Sakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Sakura) at Tsubosaka Temple, Nara
Built on the mountain of the same name, Tsubosaka Temple is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Nara Prefecture. In spring, the majestic Buddha statue and the cherry blossoms amidst the magnificent mountains create a fairytale-like scene, a beauty rarely found elsewhere.
Sakura Daibutsu Buddha statue surrounded by cherry blossoms.
Tsubosaka Temple boasts a unique architectural style that blends Indian and Japanese influences. Within the temple grounds, you can find numerous different Buddha statues. These include the 20-meter-tall Tenjiku Torai Daikannon, the 8-meter-long reclining Buddha Tenjiku Torai Dainehan, and the 10-meter-tall Tenjiku Torai Daishakanyorai… Taking your time to admire the temple and the majestic statues, with their both awe-inspiring and gentle beauty, will bring a sense of peace to every visitor's heart.
Not only famous for its cherry blossoms, visitors can also admire the temple grounds bathed in the vibrant yellow of flowering trees in the warm spring weather. Visiting the temple in summer, the lush green foliage provides a refreshing and invigorating feeling. In autumn, you'll be amazed by the temple's transformation into a landscape of golden and red leaves, creating a strangely nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere. Then, in winter, the temple and the Great Buddha statue are blanketed in white snow, transforming the scene into a breathtaking landscape painting.
The color red when autumn arrives.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Japan, be sure to visit these places to experience the majestic yet gentle beauty of the Great Buddha statues amidst the four seasons of this Land of the Rising Sun. You will surely find peace of mind after the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
2. The Giant Buddha amidst a lavender field.
In the vast natural landscape of Sapporo in Hokkaido Prefecture, you can find a structure that surprises with its creativity, scale, and sacredness. This is the Hill of the Buddha, with a statue of Buddha hidden amidst a lavender field.
A highly creative structure amidst a lavender field.
The 13.5-meter-tall, 1,500-ton Buddha statue was carefully selected from 4,000 tons of raw stone. It is part of the Makomanai Takino cemetery, designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando. His idea for this extraordinary structure was to allow people to unleash their imagination, because from the outside, you cannot see the entire Buddha statue.
The 13.5-meter-tall, 1,500-ton Buddha statue was carefully selected from 4,000 tons of raw stone.
The hill is awash in green in spring, the purple of thousands of lavender flowers in summer, and a vast expanse of white snow in winter. A 135-meter-long path leads you to the benevolent yet majestic Buddha statue. Here, visitors can also collect Goshuin seals, write wishes on Ema cards, or draw Omikuji fortune slips, just like visiting a Japanese temple.
3. Sendai Daikannon (Goddess of Mercy statue) in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Looking straight ahead from Sendai Station, you'll see the majestic Sendai Daikannon statue of Kannon, standing 100 meters tall. This height was chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sendai city's founding. Beneath this colossal statue lies an underground space 21 meters deep, intended to bring prosperity to the 21st century.
Statue of Guanyin in the heart of the city
The statue of Kannon (Guan Yin) holds a wish-granting jewel in its right hand and a Mantoku (water vase) of wisdom in its left hand, bestowing blessings upon all beings. Visitors can admire the statue from the outside and explore the interior. From the dragon-mouth-shaped entrance at the base of the statue, an elevator ascends 12 floors, where hundreds of smaller statues are displayed in a sacred space. On a clear day, ascend to the top floor for panoramic views of the beautiful city of Sendai and the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors can take an elevator to explore the inside of the statue.
Upon arriving at Daikan-Mitsu Temple and the reception hall of the Kannon statue, visitors can receive a Goshuin seal as proof of their visit. Additionally, there are amulets here symbolizing the power of 12 divine generals, unique to Sendai Daikannon.
4. Shurakuen Giant Buddha Statue, Aichi Prefecture
Located within Shurakuen Park in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture, is the Great Buddha statue of the same name, considered an iconic image of the city.
The Shurakuen Great Buddha statue stands at a height of 18.79 meters, even taller than the other two famous Great Buddha statues in Nara and Kamakura that many of you have probably heard of. Because of this height, the Great Buddha statue is visible from a distance, standing out against the lush green grounds.
The giant Buddha amidst the red foliage as autumn arrives.
If you have the chance to visit the park in autumn, you will be amazed by the majestic statue amidst the vibrant red foliage. Many tourists and locals often come here to stroll and admire the autumn scenery and pay their respects to the Great Buddha, seeking moments of peace and tranquility for their souls.
