Echizen Daibutsu

Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Fukui, the Great Buddha of Echizen is the tallest indoor seated stone Buddha in Japan, standing at an awe-inspiring 17 meters (56 feet).

Completed in 1987, the statue sits inside the majestic Daijōzan Seidaiji Temple, modeled after Nara’s famous Tōdai-ji. Despite its size, the temple remains one of Japan’s hidden gems, rarely crowded even in peak season.

The serene temple grounds feature five-story pagodas, peaceful gardens, and wide open spaces — a perfect location for unique travel photography or dramatic kimono portrait sessions.

A peaceful yet powerful destination where scale, silence, and tradition meet.