The Gifu Great Buddha (in the Shoho-ji Temple)

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Also known as the Kago Daibutsu, the Gifu Great Buddha (Gifu Daibutsu) is located in the Kinpo-zan Shoho-ji Temple in Gifu City; this Buddha statue has been designated by Gifu Prefecture as an Important Cultural Property. It ranks as one of the “Three Great Buddha Statues of Japan,” and is the largest dried lacquer Buddha statue in the country. To create the statue, a wooden framework was built around a central pillar cut from a large Gingko tree; a bamboo lattice was then installed around the wooden framework, and clay was plastered onto the lattice. After this, copies of the complete Buddhist scriptures were affixed to the clay, and then lacquer and gold leaf were applied. With the Great Buddha’s friendly, slightly smiling expression and the peaceful atmosphere of the Daibutsuden hall where the statue is situated, a visit here can induce feelings of calm and serenity. The charge for admission to the temple is 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children.

Spot details

The Gifu Great Buddha (in the Shoho-ji Temple)

Address: Gifu Pref. Gifushi Daibutsuchou 8 Map
Area: Gifu Area
Phone: 0582642760
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee]Adults200yen, Children 100yen
Parking Lot: Available(About10spaces)
Credit Card: Not available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

Interesting history

Reviewed : 2019.11.05

While this Buddah isnt as grand as some of the others in Japan, the fact that it was created with a paper mache base made it rather interesting. Not as busy as the others and made for a nice stop...
Excellent, papier mache Daibutsu

Reviewed : 2019.09.02

If you saw the one in Nara, you cannot miss this statue of the Buddha. A monk travelled to several monasteries collecting sacred scriptures used to create the Buddah. We were there at the weekend, it...
Impressive

Reviewed : 2019.02.16

A must see if you are in Gifu. The Buddha is 14 meters tall! Temple is small and simple. Only 2 blocks from Gifu Park. Entry tickets are 200 yens p/p.