Seidaiji Temple (Echizen Daibutsu)

Overview

The Echizen Daibutsu is a giant Buddha statue located at Seidaiji Temple, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. Built in 1987 (Showa 62) by businessman Kiyoshi Tada as a tourist attraction, it received religious corporation status in 2002 (Heisei 14). Modeled after the Longmen Grottoes' Vairocana Buddha statue in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, it depicts Vairocana, the cosmic Buddha. Standing at 17 meters tall, it surpasses the Great Buddha of Nara by over 2 meters, making it one of Japan's largest Buddha statues. The legend that it was built by a single individual using personal funds adds to its captivating story, touching many with its grandeur and the dedication of one person. Besides the Echizen Daibutsu, Seidaiji Temple also houses a five-story pagoda and a strolling-style Japanese garden, both built by Kiyoshi Tada. The pagoda, one of the largest of its kind in Japan constructed from reinforced concrete, offers elevator access to the top floor for panoramic views. The garden features stones and lanterns collected from across Japan, creating a beautiful landscape. Inside the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall), various other Buddhist statues create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. The Echizen Daibutsu captivates visitors not only for its sheer scale but also as a testament to the will and passion of a single individual. It's a truly miraculous structure, and a must-see when visiting Fukui Prefecture.