Temple · Sasaguri
One of the world's largest bronze statues, the Shakyamuni Nirvana Buddha statue boasts an overwhelming scale with a length of 41 meters, height of 11 meters, and weight of 300 tons. It is a symbol of Nanzo-in Temple and the town of Sasaguri.
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History
The Shakyamuni Nirvana statue, which serves as the symbol of Nanzo-in Temple, is one of the world's largest bronze nirvana Buddhas, measuring 41 meters in length, 11 meters in height, and weighing approximately 300 tons.
For many years, Nanzo-in Temple has been sending medicines, milk, and school supplies to children throughout Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Nepal. In return, in 1988, the Myanmar Buddhist Conference presented sacred Buddha relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, Ananda, and Mahamoggallana to the temple.
Construction of this nirvana statue began in 1992 to enshrine these precious Buddha relics and was completed in May 1995 after approximately three years of work. The total construction cost was 1.5 billion yen, and the statue was created by assembling approximately 320 bronze panels manufactured in Toyama Prefecture at the temple grounds.
The dedication ceremony celebrating the statue's completion featured a "Thousand Monks Blessing," with approximately 1,300 monks attending from throughout Japan and various Southeast Asian regions.
The statue's head features 686 spiral curls, and the soles of the feet bear the Buddha footprint pattern symbolizing Shakyamuni's teachings and compassion, with deep meaning embedded in every detail.
Today, the statue welcomes over one million visitors annually and has become a symbol of Sasaguri and a spiritual refuge for countless people.
Each year at year-end, a cleaning ceremony called "Omina-gurai" is performed, washing away the year's accumulated dust and becoming a seasonal tradition for welcoming the new year.
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Practical Information
3 minutes on foot from Kido Nanzo-in Mae Station on the JR Fukuoka-Kita Yutaka Line (Sasaguri Line)
(24 minutes by express train from Hakata Station)
Approximately 30 minutes from central Fukuoka via the urban expressway and National Route 201
15 minutes from Fukuoka IC via National Route 201
Nanzo-in has 3 free parking lots
Visiting Nanzoin
Please review these rules before entering. If any prohibited action is observed beyond the reception area, you will be asked to pay a penalty fee and leave the grounds immediately.
Admission
Reception 9:00–16:30 · Last entry 16:45 · Gates close 17:00
- Adults ¥500 per person
- Free for visitors under 19 and residents of Japan (foreign nationals must show a residence card or My Number card)
- Group rate ¥200 per person for groups of 10 or more (advance application and permit required)
- Cash only at the ticket reception. To pay by credit card, please pay at Kojin Chaya.
Dress code
- Visitors with revealing clothing or visible tattoos may not enter. Covering cloths are available for purchase at Kojin Chaya.
- Upper body — clothing that exposes the shoulders or stomach (tank tops, camisoles, one-shoulder or tube tops, or see-through fabrics).
- Lower body — clothing that exposes the thighs above the knee (including damaged or ripped pants).
- Applies to all visitors regardless of gender. Children aged 12 and under (elementary school age and younger) are exempt.
Prohibited actions
- Eating or drinking while walking.
- Smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Visiting in clothing or appearance inappropriate for a religious site, including revealing clothing or visible tattoos.
- Sitting on the approach path or stairs, or blocking the way by taking photos or videos for a long time.
- Taking photos where photography is not permitted, or taking videos while walking.
- Using selfie sticks, stabilizers, tripods, or similar devices.
- Shouting, making noise, playing music, singing, or dancing.
- Littering, spitting, or otherwise dirtying the temple grounds.
- Breaking branches, picking flowers, stepping on moss, or damaging plants or trees.
- Writing on, damaging, or acting disrespectfully toward Buddhist statues, buildings, or temple property.
- Intimidating, abusive, aggressive, or defiant behavior toward monks, staff, or other visitors.
- Failing to follow staff instructions, or any act the temple judges to disturb others or to be unacceptable.
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