Ushiku Daibutsu
The Ushiku Daibutsu (牛久大仏), located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is one of the world's tallest statues and the second tallest Buddha statue in the world. Completed in 1995, it stands a total of 120 meters (394 feet) tall, including the 10m high base and 10m high lotus platform. An elevator takes visitors up to 85m off the ground, where an observation floor is located. It depicts Amitabha Buddha and is plated with bronze. It is also known as Ushiku Arcadia (Amida's Radiance and Compassion Actually Developing and Illuminating Area).
Since different Buddha statues are used across all Buddhist traditions and since the artistic look between Amitabha and the historical Buddha are so similar, it can also be seen and considered as a statue of Buddha, too.
- Weight: 4000 tons
- Length of Left Hand: 18.0m
- Length of Face: 20.0m
- Length of Eye: 2.5m
- Length of Mouth: 4.0m
- Length of Nose: 1.2m
- Length of Ear: 10.0m
- Length of the First Finger: 7.0m
Inside the statue itself is a four story building, which serves as a kind of museum.
- Level 1: Infinite Light and Infinite Life
The first floor lobby is dark, and as you enter new age music floats toward you from the darkness. In the center of the room a single shaft of light shines from above onto a cauldron of smoking incense. If you walk past that you'll find the elevator to the other floors.
- Level 2, 10.0m: World of Gratitude and Thankfullness
Mostly dedicated to scribe studies
- Level 3, 20~30.0m: World of the Lotus Sanctuary
3000 samples of gold Buddha statues can be seen
- Level 4, 80~85.0m: Room of Mt. Grdhrakuta
Also on the fourth floor are windows which look out from the buddha's chest on to the adjacent flower garden and small animal park.