Buddhist temple with the largest bronze reclining Buddha statue in the world, 41 metres; free access to the grounds, interior admission 300 ¥.
The Nanzoin temple, in the mountains of Sasaguri 30 kilometres east of Fukuoka, houses the largest bronze reclining Buddha statue (Nehanzo, or Buddha of Nirvana) in the world: 41 metres long, 11 metres tall and 300 tonnes in weight, even larger than the Great Buddhas of Kamakura and Nara. The statue represents Sakyamuni entering Nirvana, lying on his side with his head resting on his right arm, surrounded by disciples. At the Buddha's feet there are 108 steps representing the 108 Buddhist defilements; you climb them while ringing the bronze bell to purify the soul. The interior of the statue contains mortal remains of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka and Burma, so it is considered an especially sacred sanctuary. The temple grounds also have a large number of figures of the god of fortune Hotei, and a Buddhist meditation waterfall. Access to the grounds is free; the interior of the statue costs 300 ¥. It is reached from Hakata on the JR Sasaguri Line train to Kido-Nanzoin-mae station in 28 minutes.
