Nihon-ji Daibutsu, stone Buddha statue in Kyonan, Chiba Prefecture, 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.
The original 1783 carving by Ōno Jingorō Hidenaga and 27 disciples stood about 37.7 m, roughly 7 m taller than today's image; erosion toppled it before the 1966–1969 restoration by sculptor Yatsuyanagi Kyōji.
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