12 Must-Visit Great Buddha Statues Around Japan 

Hokkaido Prefecture: Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery

The Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, is a unique blend of artistry and Zen aesthetics, featuring a towering 13.5-meter-tall Buddha statue called the Atama Daibutsu.

Initially, only the Buddha's head is visible from the outside, hidden in a small hill. Visitors enter through a hall with a clear water pool and walk through a tunnel, gradually revealing the entire statue. Natural light from an opening above highlights the Buddha's serene face. The surrounding hill offers seasonal scenic beauty, making the site both a place of worship and an artistic masterpiece.

Makomanai Takino Cemetery
Address: 2 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: Take the Sapporo Municipal Subway to Makomanai Station, then board the Sapporo Chuo Bus "Shin 108" and get off at the Takino-reien bus stop
Official website: https://www.takinoreien.com/pages/108/#block3514

Get around Hokkaido with the Hokkaido Rail Pass, which includes access to Makomanai Station.

Miyagi Prefecture: Sendai Daikannon

The Sendai Daikannon, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is Japan's second tallest Buddha statue at 100 meters. It features a Kannon deity holding a jewel and a vessel of wisdom, with a dragon entrance symbolizing success. Inside are 12 floors with 108 Buddha statues. The top floor offers views of Sendai and the Pacific Ocean.

Sendai Daikannon
Address: 31-36 Nakayama Minami Sanezawa, Izumi-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from JR Sendai Station to Sendai Daikannon-mae bus stop; from there it's a short walk
Official website: https://www.daikannon.com/

Ibaraki Prefecture: Ushiku Daibutsu

The Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki Prefecture is Japan's tallest Buddha statue at 120 meters, recognized by Guinness World Records. Visitors can enter through the "Bridge of Transcendence" and explore areas inside, including the "World of Light" and the "Lotus Sanctuary" with 3,400 small Buddha statues. An observation window also offers views of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Skytree.

Ushiku Daibutsu
Address: 2083 Kuno-machi, Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture
Access: 24-min bus ride from Ushiku Station (JR Joban Line) to Ushiku Daibutsu bus stop, from there it's a 6-min walk
Official website: https://daibutu.net/ (in Japanese only)

Travel to Ibaraki with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, which allows unlimited rides for three consecutive days on designated shinkansen and all JR East lines, making it ideal for those who want to explore Tokyo and its surrounding areas.

Gunma Prefecture: Takasaki Byakue Daikannon

The Takasaki Byakue Daikannon in Gunma Prefecture's Takasaki City is a notable Kannon statue standing at about 41.8 meters tall, housed within the Jigen-in Temple since its construction in 1936. Offering panoramic views from its nine floors, it overlooks Takasaki and features an annual festival, Mantou-e, where thousands of lanterns illuminate the area.

Takasaki Byakue Daikannon
Address: 2710-1 Ishihara-machi, Takasaki-shi, Gunma Prefecture
Access: 20-min city loop bus ride from JR Takasaki Station to Byakue Kannon-mae bus stop, from there it's a short walk
Official website: https://takasakikannon.or.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Kanagawa Prefecture: Kamakura Daibutsu

Originally housed in Kotoku-in Temple's Great Buddha Hall, the Kamakura Daibutsu, or Great Buddha of Kamakura, is an ancient statue in Kanagawa Prefecture renowned for its resilience despite enduring numerous natural disasters over its 800-year history. Standing at over 13 meters tall and weighing 121 tons, it is a masterpiece of Japanese Buddhist artistry, captivating visitors with its serene expression and immense presence.

Kamakura Daibutsu
Address: 4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 7-min walk from Hase Station (Enoshima Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/

Aichi Prefecture: Shurakuen Daibutsu

The Shurakuen Daibutsu in Aichi Prefecture, built in 1927 to honor Emperor Showa's wedding, stands at 18.79 meters tall, making it Japan's first concrete Amida Buddha, larger than those in Nara and Kamakura. While once adorned with paintings of the thirteen sects of Japanese Buddhism and a sacred Kannon statue, its interior is now closed to the public.

During spring, visitors can relish the picturesque scene of cherry blossoms adorning Shurakuen Park, complementing the view of the Great Buddha.

Shurakuen Daibutsu
Address: 2-1 Nishimaruyama, Arao-machi, Tokai-shi, Aichi Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Shurakuen Station (Meitetsu Line)
Official website: https://shurakuen.org/english/

Aichi Prefecture: Hotei no Daibutsu

Aichi Prefecture is home to another unique Buddha statue called the Hotei no Daibutsu. Standing at 18 meters tall, it's a symbol of Konan City. When the railway warning lights align with the Buddha's eyes, it creates a quirky spectacle resembling a pair of sunglasses, which make for fun photo ops.

Hotei no Daibutsu
Address: 132 Omon, Kiga-cho, Konan-shi, Aichi Prefecture
Access: 15-min walk from Hotei Station (Meitetsu Inuyama Line)
Official website: https://www.konan-kankou.jp/?page_id=4099 (in Japanese only)

Nara Prefecture: The Buddha statue of Tsubosaka Temple

Tsubosaka Temple in Nara Prefecture is renowned for its stunning cherry blossoms in spring. The temple's stone statues, including the 15-meter-tall Great Shaka Nyorai from India, crafted by 80,000 stonemasons over four years, are also noteworthy spots. Of particular note is the Great Buddha statue that transforms into a captivating sight when surrounded by cherry blossoms and illuminated in the evening.

Tsubosaka Temple
Address: 3 Tsubosaka, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture
Access: 6-min walk from Tsubosaka-yama Station (Kintetsu Line,) then take a bus to the Tsubosaka-ji Mae bus stop
Official website: https://www.tsubosaka1300.or.jp/place5.html (in Japanese only)

Nara Prefecture: The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple is home to the Great Buddha statue that stands 15 meters tall within the Daibutsuden, or "Great Buddha Hall," one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Construction of this Buddha statue began in 745 AD, with the consecration ceremony held seven years later in 752 AD.

While some parts like the chest and lotus pedestal are original, much of the body was reconstructed between the 12th and 14th centuries, with the head redone in the Edo period (1603-1868.)

Todai-ji Temple
Address: 406-1 Zoshi-cho, Nara-shi, Nara Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae bus stop (city loop bus;) or a 20-min walk from JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara stations
Official website: https://www.todaiji.or.jp/en/

When using Japan Railways trains, opt for the Kansai Area Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on all JR West Lines and shinkansen in the Kansai Region, including access to Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It includes a one-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.

Shiga Prefecture: Nagahama Biwako Daibutsu

In Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, Ryozenji Temple houses the impressive Nagahama Biwako Daibutsu, standing at 28 meters tall and weighing 88 tons. Initially constructed in 1932 to commemorate the temple's 700th anniversary, it was replaced in 1994 due to damage.

The current bronze-cast statue overlooks Lake Biwa and is accessible from Nagahama Station.

Ryozenji Temple (Nagahama Biwako Daibutsu)
Address: 86 Shimozakahama-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga Prefecture
Access: 25-min walk from Nagahama Station (JR Biwako Line)
Official website: https://kitabiwako.jp/spot/spot_2306

For travelers keen on exploring nearby regions, opt for the Kansai Wide Area Pass, available for five consecutive days. This pass not only covers unlimited rides on all JR West Lines and shinkansen in the Kansai Region—including access to JR Nagahama Station—but also takes you to destinations such as Okayama and Tottori.

Fukuoka Prefecture: Nanzoin Temple's Great Reclining Buddha

The Nanzoin Temple houses one of the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statues, spanning approximately 41 meters in length. Its uniqueness lies not only in its colossal size but also in the tranquil and serene ambiance it offers to visitors. The statue's calm expression, coupled with the peaceful surroundings of the temple, makes it a haven for meditation and reflection.

Nanzoin Temple
Address: 1035 Oaza Shinoguri, Sasaguri-cho, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access: 3-min walk from JR Joto-Nanzoin Station
Official website: https://nanzoin.net/en/

Kagawa Prefecture: Shodoshima Daikannon

The Shodoshima Daikannon, also referred to as the "Happiness Kannon," stands as a majestic statue perched on a mountain, offering views over Shodoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. Erected in 1994 through contributions from believers across the country, it reaches a height of about 50-60 meters. Visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of the island and the Seto Inland Sea from the Kannon statue's highest point.

Shodoshima Daikannon
Address: 1 Otsu, Koumagoe, Tonosho-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from Tonosho Port to Shodoshima Daikannon-mae bus stop
Official website: https://www.shiawasekannon.com/ (in Japanese only)

To get around Kagawa Prefecture and other places on Shikoku Island, opt for the All Shikoku Rail Pass.

Save this travel map before you go

Japan is home to numerous great buddha statues, with twelve of the best ones listed above. Don't forget to save this map as it will come in handy when traveling to each great buddha across the country.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.