The Echizen Daibutsu (越前大仏) is one of Japan’s largest and most striking Buddha statues, located within the Daishizan Seidaiji Temple complex in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture.
The Echizen Daibutsu is a 17-meter-tall Buddha statue that towers over two of the most famous Buddha statues in Japan—the Buddha at Todai-ji in Nara (14.7m) and the Kamakura Daibutsu (13.3m), making it the largest indoor Buddha statues in Japan, and among the largest Buddha statues overall. It was constructed in 1987, under the vision of a local businessman named Tadao Arai, who wanted to revitalize the region and create a major cultural landmark.
The Daibutsu is part of the Daishizan Seidaiji Temple grounds, which also features other notable structures such as large gates, pagodas, and prayer halls, all designed in a traditional Japanese architectural style. To host such an enormous statue, it is no surprise that the temple buildings, including the main hall where the Echizen Daibutsu is hosted, are of an equally impressive scale. The Daishizan Seidaiji Temple stands out and looms over the town of Katsuyama.
One of the best places to enjoy the view of the temple grounds is the Five-storied pagoda found to the north of the temple. This pagoda provides you with an amazing view of the scale and size of the temple grounds.
In the nearby area, you can find the Yume Ole Katsuyama Textile museum, the Katsuyama Castle Museum, and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (plus many statues of Dinosaurs scattered around).
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm (9:00am-4:00pm during Winter)
- 500JPY
- Average Time Spent: 30 minutes
- Official Website
Accessing the Echizen Daibutsu
There is a train line from Fukui Station, to Katsuyama Station, on the Echiuzentetsudo-Katsyyama-Eiheji Line. This will take a little under an hour each direction, and cost 770JPY. This service is not operated by Japan Rail, and the Japan Raill Pass is not valid on this service.
Once at Katsuyama Station,The easiest way to access Echizen Daibutsu is via taxi, which will take about 10 minutes.
Alternatively, the Gururin Nambu bus line from Katsuyama Station will take within about a kilometer of the temple.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience. Read More…
Forget the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for every journey. The JR Pass offers exceptional value for money, available in flexible durations ranging from 7 to 21 days, allowing you to tailor your travel experience to suit your itinerary. Read More…
English