What other travelers are saying about Nihon-ji Daibutsu
The Buddha is very impressive. It is definitely worth a visit. Depending what you would like to see and whether you want to challenge and walk up and down thousands of steps (literally), there are options. If you are only interested in seeing the giant Buddha and the temples, then my suggestion is to drive to the east entrance car where the Buddha is not too many steps away, then if you follow the path to the left, you can see the various temples too and with minimal steps.
This does mean you are not going to walk up and down all the steps and miss out on the statues dotted around the mountain, the view of hell from the top and the ropeway. The ropeway you can do separately by just going up and then down again without re-entering the temple.
700¥ Price to enter but was worth it.
Be prepared to do lots of steep climbing if you wish to see everything. Definitely a good workout. Beautiful scenery
Arrived at 2:50PM only to be turned away despite a 4PM close time and a 3PM last entry. Despite being charged ¥1,000 to drive to the carpark which offered no warning that the temple was closed.
Be aware and arrive early.
You shouldn’t miss this huge beautiful Buddha in the middle of Nokogiri Mountains but steps ups and down from the mountain top parking will kill you. You should probably drive down the hill and park again at the middle hill parking after you visited Jikoku Nozoki “Peek into Hell” cliff. Otherwise you are tired like peeking into hell!!!
Nice place to visit. Impressive views on the surrounding area and massive statues.
Only the pedestrian way there is a nightmare since you got to go through tunnels without sidewalk together with the cars. So either take the gondola or the train to the other side.
Take the JR Uchibo Line from Tokyo Station to Hamakanaya Station, which takes approximately 90 minutes. From Hamakanaya, you can either ride the Nokogiri-yama Ropeway to the summit (about 4 minutes) or hike up the mountain trail, which takes 45 to 60 minutes. The ropeway station is a short walk from JR Hamakanaya Station.
Nihon-ji Daibutsu is Japan's largest pre-modern stone Buddha at 31 meters tall, making it the biggest stone-carved Buddha in the country. However, it is not the tallest Buddha overall—modern statues like Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki (120 meters) are significantly larger. The Nihon-ji statue's distinction lies in its traditional carving method and historical significance as an Edo-period monument.
Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the full temple complex. This allows time to see the Great Buddha, walk to the Hyaku-shaku Kannon cliff carving, visit the Jigoku Nozoki viewpoint, and explore the stone Rakan statues scattered throughout the grounds. The site involves considerable walking and stair climbing, so factor in your pace and fitness level.
Yes, on clear days Mount Fuji is visible from the Jigoku Nozoki (Hell Peek) observation point at the summit of Mount Nokogiri. This dramatic rocky outcrop also offers sweeping views of Tokyo Bay and the Boso Peninsula. Visibility is best during winter months and early mornings when atmospheric conditions are clearest, though Mount Fuji can be obscured by clouds or haze.
The site presents moderate accessibility challenges. While the ropeway eliminates the initial climb, the temple grounds feature numerous steep stone steps and uneven pathways between the Great Buddha, Kannon carving, and viewpoint. There are rest areas along the routes, but visitors should have reasonable mobility and stamina. Those with significant mobility limitations may find the terrain difficult despite ropeway access.
