Nanzoin Temple
南蔵院
A Shingon temple in the mountains of Sasaguri Town, home to a 41-metre-long bronze reclining Buddha, said to be one of the world's largest bronze reclining Buddhas.
Nanzoin is in Sasaguri Town, about 20 km southeast of Fukuoka City. It is the head temple of the Sasaguri Shikoku 88 Temple pilgrimage. The Shakyamuni Nirvana statue, completed in 1995, is about 41 metres long, about 11 metres high and weighs about 300 tonnes. It is said to be one of the world's largest bronze reclining Buddhas. Inside the statue are Buddhist relics gifted by countries including Myanmar. The temple also has a statue of Fudō Myōō, many stone Buddhas and a waterfall training ground. Entry is free, though entering the reclining Buddha costs extra. It is said that the head priest once won the top prize in the lottery, so the temple is also a place to pray for good fortune in money. Getting there: take the JR Sasaguri Line from JR Hakata Station for about 30 minutes to Kido-Nanzoin-mae Station, then walk about 5 minutes.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Kamado Shrine
- Dazaifu Tenmangu
- Kyushu National Museum
- Kōmyōzen-ji
- Hakozaki-gū
- Shōfuku-ji
- Tōchō-ji
- Sumiyoshi Shrine (Fukuoka)