Nanzo-in Temple

Nanzo-in Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Sasaguri, Fukuoka, Japan, home to the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue. The temple was originally located on Mount Kōya but was relocated to Sasaguri in 1899 after facing threats from anti-Buddhist authorities in 1886. The move was orchestrated through a decade-long public petition and led by priest Hayashi Satoshiun. The temple belongs to the Koyasan Shingon sect, which was founded by the monk Kukai in the early 9th century.

Nanzo-in serves as the main location among the 88 temples that make up the Sasaguri pilgrimage route, one of Japan's three famous walking pilgrimages. The temple attracts more than 1 million visitors annually. The massive reclining Buddha statue, known as Nehanzo, was completed in 1995 and depicts Buddha entering nirvana at the moment of his death. The statue measures 41 meters long and 11 meters high, with a weight of approximately 300 tons. The statue was constructed to house ashes of Buddha and two disciples, which were gifted by the Myanmar Buddhist Council in appreciation for the temple's humanitarian aid to Myanmar and Nepal.

Visitors can explore the temple grounds, which feature mossy stone lanterns, small waterfalls, a red bridge, and hundreds of small Buddha statues arranged on the hillside. The temple includes a cave with an altar and dragon candle stand that visitors can enter. An interactive element allows visitors to select from seven Buddha statues to lift, with one being lighter than the others, and successfully lifting it permits making a wish. Colored cords attached to the Buddha's hand allow visitors to make a spiritual connection. The temple is particularly associated with good fortune and lottery luck, as a chief priest once won the lottery after placing his ticket next to a statue.

From Hakata Station in Fukuoka, take the JR Sasaguri Line to Kido Nanzoin-mae Station, which takes approximately 21 minutes on the express train or 24 minutes on the local train. The temple is a 3-minute walk from the station. The temple grounds are accessible 24 hours daily. General admission to the temple grounds is free, but there is a 500 yen charge to enter the prayer room beneath the reclining Buddha statue. Visitors should dress modestly and remove shoes when entering temple buildings.