🗺️ Niu Jiu Da Fo (Nine Great Buddhas of Niu)牛久大仏

The Nikkō Daibutsu, completed in 1992, is officially named the Nikkō Amida Daibutsu. The statue stands 120 meters tall (including a 20-meter pedestal) and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest "bronze cast Buddha statue" in the world. Shinran Shonin (1173–1262), the founder of the Jōdo Shinshū sect, preached in the Kanto region from his base in Hitachi Province (now Ibaraki Prefecture). Due to the deep connection between Ibaraki Prefecture and Shinran Shonin, the Higashi Hongan-ji branch of Jōdo Shinshū built the Great Buddha here. Weighing 4,000 tons, with a left hand measuring 18 meters, a face length of 20 meters, eyes measuring 2.5 meters, a mouth length of 4 meters, a nose height of 1.2 meters, ears measuring 10 meters, and an index finger length of 7 meters, its scale is truly astonishing. Visitors can enter the interior of the Great Buddha, which has a five-story structure, each with different themes. The first floor symbolizes the "World of Light," which dispels worldly troubles; the second floor is the "World of Gratitude," where scriptures can be copied; the third floor houses 3,400 Buddha statues in the "Lotus Store World"; the fourth and fifth floors enshrine relics in the "Vulture Peak Hall." The "Chest Observation Deck" above the fifth floor is 85 meters above the ground, offering a panoramic view of the Kanto Plain. At the feet of the Great Buddha lies the "Pure Land Garden," covering approximately 10,000 square meters. In spring, cherry blossoms and moss phlox bloom; in summer, hydrangeas; and in autumn, cosmos flowers, all providing comfort to visiting travelers.

The "Cute Animal Garden Terrace" in the park features monkey performances (held daily except Fridays; only on Sundays and public holidays in December and February), while the Cute Animal Zoo allows feeding of sheep and rabbits (open only on Sundays and public holidays; closed in December and February). For 200 yen, you can experience copying sutras at the "World of Gratitude" on the second floor. You can purchase specialty sweets from Ibaraki Prefecture or tsukudani, as well as a goshuincho (a stamp book for collecting commemorative stamps) featuring a Great Buddha design at the shopping street within the park. You can take the direct elevator from the second floor to the observation deck, which is 85 meters above ground. Please note that there are no restrooms inside the Great Buddha.