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Ushiku Daibutsu

It is so big that Nara’s Buddha statue can sit on its palm. The world’s tallest Buddha statue and lovely flowers will give you a soothing day.

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Ushiku Daibutsu, the giant statue of Amida Nyorai, was completed in 1992 and its official name is Ushiku Amida Daibutsu. It is 120m-tall (including the 20m-high platform) and registered in the Guinness Book as the world’s tallest “bronze Buddha statue.”

Reverend Shinran (1173-1262), the founder of Jodo Shinshu sect, set the base in the Hitachi Province (current Ibaraki) and extended the missionary work into the Kanto area. Since Ibaraki Prefecture is associated with Reverend Shinran, Jodo Shinshu sect’s headquarter, Higashi Honganji temple financed the giant statue. It weighs 4000 tons, the left hand is 18m-long, the face, 20m, each eye, 2.5m, the mouth, 4m, each ear, 10m, the index finger, 7m, and the nose is 1.2m-tall; an astounding scale.

You can see inside the statue, which has 5 stories. The 1st floor is the World of Light that depicts the light shining into worldly cares. The 2nd floor is the World of Chionhotoku (Benevolence). The 3rd floor is the World of Rengezo (Lotus Matrix) with nearly 3,400 Antenatal Buddhas. The 4th and 5th floors are the Space of Mt. Ryojusen where Busshari (the ashes of Buddha) is kept. Above the 5th floor, The observation floor at the chest of the statue is 85m-high with a marvelous view over the Kanto Valley.

At the foot of the Buddha statue, almost 10,000m² Jodo Garden spreads, where Cherry blossoms and creeping phlox in spring, hydrangea in summer and cosmos in fall, etc. delight visitors.

Highlights

  • Fureai Garden Terrace on the grounds offers entertainment by monkeys (Everyday except for Fridays. In December and February, performance is on Sundays and holidays only). Fureai Zoo has sheep and rabbits that you can feed (Open on Sundays and holidays only. Closed in December and February).
  • In the World of Chionhotoku on the 2nd floor, you can try sutra-copying starting from 200 yen.
  • At Nakamise on the grounds, you can purchase Ibaraki’s sweets and tsukudani (seafood side dish), a stamp book in the shape of a statue, etc.
  • The elevator on the 2nd floor will take you up to the highest section with the 85m-high observation floor.
  • Note, there is no restroom inside the Buddha statue.

Photos

  • It is as tall as a 35-story building (Ushiku Daibutsu)

    It is as tall as a 35-story building (Ushiku Daibutsu)

  • Enjoy picking flowers at Jodo Park (Ushiku Daibutsu)

    Enjoy picking flowers at Jodo Park (Ushiku Daibutsu)

  • The World of Rengezo on the 3rd floor (Ushiku Daibutsu)

    The World of Rengezo on the 3rd floor (Ushiku Daibutsu)

  • Jodo Garden in spring (Ushiku Daibutsu)

    Jodo Garden in spring (Ushiku Daibutsu)

  • Fun monkey performance for adults and children (Ushiku Daibutsu)

    Fun monkey performance for adults and children (Ushiku Daibutsu)

Reviews

1
  • Yan Yan 2000

    金氏紀錄最高的銅製大佛,上面景觀樓層搭電梯可以前往。

Details

Name in Japanese
牛久大仏
Postal Code
300-1288
Address
2083 Kunocho, Ushiku City, Ibaraki
Telephone
029-889-2931 (Ushiku Daibutsu Administration Office)
Closed
Open every day
Hours
9:30am-5:00pm (On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, open until 5:30pm. Between October and February, open until 4:30pm on all days)
* The last entry is until 30 min. before closing.
Admission
800 yen (Including viewing inside the Buddha statue. Garden alone 500 yen.)
Directions
From JR Joban Line, Ushiku Station, ride the Kanto Railway Bus for 34 min. Get off at Ushiku Daibutsu stop, and walk a short distance.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)