Ushiku-Daibutsu – The World’s Tallest Giant Buddha
It holds the world record- the bronze buddha in Ushiku, Ibaraki. It took seven years to build Ushiku Giant Buddha, the world’s tallest statue from 1992; but now in 2020, there are several statues taller than Ushiku in the world. However, it is still the tallest in Japan. I visited it three times or more. First, I wanted to see how tall it was with my own eyes, and I was really surprised by its size and activities. We can climb up to the top of the Buddha or try to make a handwritten copy of sura. Also, you can play with animals in the zoological garden at Buddha’s feet.
For the second time, I went there on the last day of the year in 2006 because the rainbow-colored laser beams radiated from the lotus seat of the Buddha just in time for the new year. After this laser festival, fireworks blasted away high up in the air. It was an incredible view like the Land of Happiness for Buddhists! Here is the photo of the laser beams coming from the Buddha. This isn’t a composite image, it is the real one.
Usually, you can enjoy this festival twice a year: New Year’s Day in winter and Obon in summer. I recommend you to go there in summer because it is really cold on New Year’s Day in Ibaraki. But I regret to inform you that the festival will be canceled this year because of COVID19. I hope it will be held next year.
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