The central Buddha statue is flanked by 1,512 smaller stone Buddha statues lining the surrounding walls.
The temple complex was built using materials imported from China, including the statues themselves.
The five-story pagoda on the grounds is significantly taller than the famous pagoda at Kyoto's To-ji Temple.
Despite its massive scale, the temple complex generally receives low foot traffic compared to Japan's major tourist sites.
The temple was constructed as a private project by a local entrepreneur who became wealthy in the textile industry.
Echizen Daibutsu is a large-scale temple complex in Katsuyama, Fukui, dominated by a 17-meter-tall Buddha statue made of copper. The central statue is larger than the famous Great Buddha of Nara. The main hall is modeled after the Todai-ji Temple in Nara and is surrounded by smaller Buddha statues lining the interior walls. The temple grounds house a five-story pagoda measuring 75 meters in height. It was commissioned by local business tycoon Kiyoshi Tada in 1987. The site is part of the Zuisan Seidai-ji temple complex. Visitors walk through a landscaped Japanese garden before reaching the main hall. The complex is noted for its immense scale relative to its rural location.
From the second-floor viewing balcony inside the main hall, which provides a level perspective with the face of the Great Buddha.
Bring a light jacket as the massive interior of the main hall can be cooler than the outdoors.
Wear slip-on shoes for easy removal, as footwear is prohibited in certain areas of the main hall.
Allocate extra time to explore the expansive, often empty landscaped gardens surrounding the main structures.
Avoid rushing through the main hall; the sheer volume of statues is easy to overlook if moving too quickly.
Remove shoes when entering temple halls; maintain a quiet voice; photography is generally permitted unless marked otherwise.
