The statue was cast in bronze and weighs approximately 32 tons.
It is officially known as the Itabashi Great Buddha, though popularly referred to as the Tokyo Daibutsu.
The statue was commissioned by the head priest of Joren-ji to honor victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake.
Joren-ji Temple was relocated to its current site in the 1970s from its original location in Bunkyo ward to make room for urban expansion.
The pedestal is inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and symbols of protection.
The Tokyo Daibutsu is a prominent 13-meter tall bronze Buddha statue located within the precincts of Joren-ji Temple in Itabashi. It ranks as the third-largest Great Buddha in Japan, following those in Nara and Kamakura. The statue was constructed in 1977 to pray for peace and the recovery of Tokyo following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. It is seated on a stone pedestal and faces the temple courtyard, surrounded by carefully maintained Japanese gardens and stone sculptures. Unlike many larger statues, visitors can stand directly at the base of the Buddha to observe the fine details of its bronze casting. The temple grounds also feature statues of the Seven Lucky Gods and a traditional bell tower. The site is situated on a hillside, providing an elevated view of the surrounding residential district of Akatsuka.
From the bottom of the front staircase looking up to capture the scale of the statue against the sky.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid local crowds and ensure a quiet experience.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the stone pathways of the temple garden.
Ensure your camera lens is wide enough to capture the full statue from the base.
Avoid touching the bronze surface of the statue, as oils from hands can damage the finish.
Open daily, but the temple grounds may close during extreme weather events or local festivals.
Maintain a quiet tone while on temple grounds; remove hats before approaching the statue.
