Nihon-ji Daibutsu, Stone Buddha statue at Nihon-ji Temple in Kyonan, Japan
Nihon-ji Daibutsu is a stone Buddha carved from mountain granite standing 31 meters tall at Nihon-ji Temple. It sits in a composed pose with a medicine container in its left hand, representing the healing Buddha.
The sculpture was carved in 1783 during a period of religious expansion in Japan. Major restoration work took place in 1969 to address damage caused by natural erosion over centuries.
The statue represents Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing, and remains central to Buddhist worship in Chiba Prefecture. People who visit often make offerings and prayers here as part of their spiritual practice and connection to this sacred place.
You can reach the statue via a mountain ropeway or hiking trails depending on your preference and fitness level. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sun protection if you plan to walk the trails yourself.
This statue holds the record as the largest seated stone Buddha in Japan. It is surrounded by around 1500 arhat statues, each displaying different facial expressions and adding a unique quality to the whole site.
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