Ushiku Daibutsu

The Ushiku Daibutsu also called the Great Buddha of Ushiku, located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is one of the world's tallest statues . . .

Its completed in 1993, it stands a total of 120 meters (394 feet) tall, including the 10m high base and 10m high lotus platform. The Ushiku Daibutsu weighs is 4000 tones.

It was build for the anniversary for Shinra-shonin who started the Pure Land Buddhism. Ushiku was his home town. To build the Pure Land, they build the greatest Buddha statue in their own Pure Land.

An elevator takes visitors up to 85m off the ground, where an observation floor is located. It depicts Amitabha Buddha and is plated with bronze. It is also known as Ushiku Arcadia (Amida's Radiance and Compassion Actually Developing and Illuminating Area).

Inside the statue itself is a four story building, which serves as a kind of museum. The first floor lobby is dark, and as you enter new age music floats toward you from the darkness. In the center of the room a single shaft of light shines from above onto a cauldron of smoking incense. This room is called Infinite Light and Infinite Life. In this room, you can easily imagine your pure land. 2nd fl. is World of Gratitude and Thankfulness. You can experience the writing sutra here. There is lay sermon on the weekend. 3rd fl. is World of the Lotus Sanctuary. There are about 3,000 Buddha tombs. 4th, and 5th fl. are Room of Mt. Grdhrakuta. There are Buddha's ashes and windows for all four directions.

There are flower gardens which has all kinds of flowers for all seasons. Also, many festival like fireworks, summer festa, or new years festa held at the garden. At Squirrel and rabbit park, they have monkey show, and play grands where you can play with those animals. There are light show in the summer.

This is the picture of Ushiku Daibutsu from long distance.