The statue was hand-carved by local stone workers led by Asakichi Hida over a period of six years.
The monument was built without the use of heavy machinery, relying entirely on manual stone-cutting techniques.
Oya tuff, the stone used for the statue, is a porous volcanic rock formed by ancient eruptions in the region.
The statue is located near the entrance to the extensive, subterranean Oya History Museum, which occupies former underground quarry chambers.
Heiwa Kannon is a 27-meter-tall Buddhist statue carved directly into the rock face of an abandoned Oya stone quarry in Utsunomiya. Completed in 1954, the statue was commissioned as a memorial for those who perished during World War II and to pray for global peace. It stands within the Oya Park area, characterized by dramatic, craggy cliff walls remaining from decades of stone extraction. Visitors can climb an internal staircase to reach an observation deck located at the statue's shoulder level. The structure is composed of Oya tuff, a distinctive green-grey volcanic stone native to the local region. It remains one of the largest stone-carved Buddha figures in Japan.
From the base of the plaza looking up to capture the scale of the statue against the rugged quarry cliff.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear as the ground near the quarry walls can be uneven or damp.
The stairs leading to the shoulder lookout are narrow and steep; evaluate physical comfort before ascending.
Combine your visit with the nearby Oya History Museum to understand the geological context of the stone used for the statue.
Do not attempt to climb or deface the exposed rock surfaces surrounding the statue.
Maintain a quiet tone as the site is considered a memorial; do not touch or climb on the statue base.
