What to know
Takaoka's iconic Great Buddha (高岡大仏, Takaoka Daibutsu) ranks among Japan's three largest Buddha statues, alongside Nara's Todaiji Temple and Kamakura Daibutsu. Completed in 1933 after thirty years of work, it showcases local bronze casting expertise.
The original wooden statue was erected in 1745 but suffered repeated fire damage, prompting a rebuild using fire-resistant materials. Thanks to Takaoka's prominence in metal casting, the Daibutsu was crafted entirely from bronze by local artisans.
Today, the statue stands 15.85 meters tall (including the base) and weighs 65 tons. Visitors can enter the base to see the wooden head of the previous statue, which miraculously survived the last fire.
Takaoka Great Buddha is a ten-minute walk northeast of JR Takaoka Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Always open (the base below the statue is open from 6:00 to 18:00)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Takaoka Great Buddha
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.