Magaibutsu

This huge statue of Maitreya is located a 10-minute walk from the Takatori Shogakko bus stop on the Shonan Takatori Loop bus which leaves from Keikyu Oppama Station. The sculpture is located on Mt. Takatori, which is known for its sheer vertical cliffs which were created through the harvesting of the mountain's stone. The statue was created over a one-year period starting in 1960 by Yokosuka City sculptor Shigeru Fujishima and is eight meters tall and 4.5 meters wide. A statue of Gautama Buddha was also created at the same time but was later destroyed in order to build Takatori Elementary School, and today only the statue of Maitreya remains. The surrounding area is maintained as Takatoriyama Park.