Seiryu-ji Temple: Home of Japan’s Largest Bronze Seated Buddha

Aomori

If you think the biggest Buddha statues are only found in tourist-heavy spots like Nara or Kamakura, think again. Tucked quietly into the hills of Aomori, Seiryu-ji Temple is home to a giant surprise, the Showa Daibutsu, Japan’s largest bronze seated Buddha, and trust us, it’s massive. At over 21 meters tall, this serene giant doesn’t just dominate the skyline, it steals the show.

Completed in 1984, Seiryu-ji Temple might be a modern addition to Japan’s long lineage of sacred sites, but don’t let its age fool you, it holds its own with quiet grandeur. Translating to “Blue-Green Dragon Temple,” the name hints at its tranquil, almost mythical charm. Nestled among tall trees and rolling hills, the temple feels more like a hidden retreat than a tourist stop.

Source: AMAZING Aomori

Beyond the towering presence of the Showa Daibutsu, Seiryu-ji Temple offers a diverse array of cultural and architectural elements that reflect its spiritual significance. Among them stands a five-story pagoda, completed in 1996 and constructed from locally sourced Aomori cypress. This structure ranks as the fourth tallest pagoda in Japan and exemplifies traditional craftsmanship rooted in natural materials.

Source: AMAZING Aomori

The temple’s main hall, also built entirely from cypress wood, serves as a repository of Buddhist heritage. Inside, visitors will find revered works such as the large-scale painting Descent of Amida and the Heavenly Multitude and the contemplative statue Amitabha Looking Back, both important representations of Pure Land Buddhist beliefs and artistic traditions.

Another prominent feature is a red-lacquered hall enshrining a statue of the monk Kūkai. This hall signifies Seiryu-ji’s connection to Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, a central site in Shingon Buddhism and the historical headquarters of the sect.

For those interested in experiencing Buddhist practices more intimately, you can also reserve a meal of shōjin-ryōri, a refined vegetarian cuisine once prepared and eaten by monks as part of their spiritual practice.

Whether you are drawn by the sheer scale of the Showa Daibutsu or simply seeking a quiet escape from the usual tourist trail, Seiryu-ji Temple delivers something rare. This is not the kind of place you rush through with a checklist in hand.

If you are temple-hopping across Japan and craving something a little more off-the-beaten-path, Anrakuji Temple is worth the detour. It is one of Nagano’s best-kept spiritual secrets, a quiet, contemplative escape where the architecture is ancient, the energy is Zen, and the crowds are blissfully minimal.

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