Nanzo-in

Nanzo-in (南蔵院) is a Buddhist temple located in Sasaguri, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is renowned for its massive bronze statue of a reclining Buddha, which is one of the largest bronze statues in the world.

History and Significance:

Nanzo-in was originally founded in the ninth century as a training temple for Shingon Buddhism in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture. Due to anti-Buddhist movements in the late 19th century, the temple was moved to its current location in Sasaguri. The reclining Buddha statue was completed in 1995 and enshrines ashes of the Buddha and relics of the Buddha's disciples received from Myanmar and Nepal.

Features:

• Reclining Buddha Statue: The temple's most famous attraction, the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), is an enormous bronze statue of the Buddha entering Nirvana. It measures 41 meters in length, 11 meters in height, and weighs approximately 300 tons. Visitors can enter the statue and view the relics within.

• Sasaguri Pilgrimage Route: Nanzo-in is a popular stop on the Sasaguri Pilgrimage, a route that encompasses 88 temples and is modeled after the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

• Tunnels and Statues: The temple grounds feature various tunnels adorned with statues of deities and Buddhist figures, creating a mystical atmosphere.

• Lucky Lottery Connections: It is believed that the head priest of Nanzo-in once won a significant lottery prize after praying in Myanmar. Since then, the temple has become known for its association with good luck, and many visitors come to pray for financial fortune.

Access:

Nanzo-in is accessible by train from Fukuoka City. Visitors can take the JR Sasaguri Line to Kido-Nanzoin-mae Station, from which it is a short walk to the temple.

Cultural Importance:

Nanzo-in attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims each year. It represents a blend of traditional Buddhist practices and modern attractions, making it a significant cultural and religious site in Japan.