This Buddha statue is known as the symbol of Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The recently created Hill of the Buddha, with the Atama Daibutsu at the center for worship, was created by world-famous architect Tadao Ando. “How does a statue become a more solemn, attractive figure? ”Ando asked himself. His bold answer was to cover the statue with a hill of lavender. Surprisingly, one only sees the head of the statue surrounded by the landscape of the hill. Atama Daibutsu(The Buddha's Head) was named for its novel, impressive appearance. It stands in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape in all seasons. Thus has a new symbol of the cemetery been established.
One sees the head of the Buddha, but one can't reach it quickly. This design is Mr.Ando's intention. The idea comes from his experience of being impressed when looking up at Buddha statues glistening in the dim sunlight deep within caves in India and China. A water garden that makes visitors bypass the straight route...a dim, 40-meter tunnel: These stir anticipation of encountering the unseen statue. After passing through the tunnel, one can finally look up at the Buddha statue. Depending on the day's weather, one experiences sunny skies, floating clouds, wind, rainfall or snowfall, seen through the unroofed space. Such natural elements make the statue all the more celestial.
Beginning of the 135m path leading to Hill of the Buddha.
You can purify your hands at the entrance's Temizusya.
It is a boundary between the sacred and the secular.
*There is no water during the snowfall period from November 4th to late April.
*There is no water during the snowfall period from November 4th to late April.
40m long tunnel with fair-face concrete blocks that are in the arc of one-sixth of the circle.
You can finally see the face of the Buddha here.
The height of the Buddha is 13.5 meters.
Hokkaido is a vast land of great natural splendor.
Its beauty is so awe-inspiring that it evokes forgotten feelings in Japanese.
Emotions bring out our drive to live.
The whole body of the Atama Daibutsu can' be seen from outside.
Snow accumulates on its head in winter.
What remains hidden from view sparks the creativity.
Its beauty is so awe-inspiring that it evokes forgotten feelings in Japanese.
Emotions bring out our drive to live.
The whole body of the Atama Daibutsu can' be seen from outside.
Snow accumulates on its head in winter.
What remains hidden from view sparks the creativity.
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Summary
Statue of the Buddha:
Statue of the Buddha:
- 13.5ｍ in height, 1,500t in weight.(The statue is made from stones that weighed 4,000 in total before they were worked.)
- Visiting hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.（April - October) , 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.（November - March）
- Closed on designated date and maintenance date.
- Water garden is not filled water in snowfall period of November 4th to late April. In the case of maintenance, water may not be filled.
Traffic access:
- Local buses 108 departing from Makomanai station bus terminal 2.
- Bus fare: 380-yen.
※Bus timetables are different in summer and winter. - Motorists should park nearby paid parking lot.
Parking lot:
- Parking fee is 500-yen per car.
- Please pay the parking fee at payment machine before you leave.
- You can use your cash(Only 1,000-yen bills can be used among banknotes) or credit card to pay.
- Receipts are issued from payment machine.
- Business hours:7a.m. -4p.m.
- Opening hours may be changed or temporary closure due to bad weather conditions.
Admission fee：
- Admission fee is 300-yen per person and kids under 12 are free.
- Travel agency attendants are admitted free of charge.
- Please pay the admission fee at payment machine.
- You can use your cash(Only 1,000-yen bills can be used among banknotes) or credit card to pay.
- Receipts are issued from payment machine.
- Admission ticket is for the day of visit only.
■NOTES
Hill of the Buddha is located in a CEMETERY AREA, where is very sacred place.
You are required to refrain from any behavior that may disturb other visitors, please.
You are required to refrain from any behavior that may disturb other visitors, please.
- Do not park on the street.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not trample in the restricted area such as lavender field and snow field.
- Do not bring your pets, except for assistant dogs.
- Do not enter with wheeled vehicles, except wheelchairs and strollers.
- Do not drink the water from the TEMIZU-SHA(purification trough) and from the water garden.
- Do not step into the water garden.
- Do not fly a drone.
- Do not run.
- Do not litter.
- Do not touch the statue.
- Admission may be restricted.
- Hill of the Buddha may be used for commercial shooting and interview.
- A permit application is require for all commercial shooting and interview.
