Echizen Daibutsu

Echizen Daibutsu at Daishiyama Seidaiji Temple houses Japan's tallest seated Buddha statue at 17 meters, surpassing even Nara's famous Daibutsu. The temple complex was built in 1987 by a local businessman and features a striking five-story pagoda, 1,281 small Buddha statues lining the corridors, and a massive main hall. Despite its relatively recent construction, the temple's sheer scale and the serene atmosphere of its mountain setting make it a remarkable sight. The complex is often uncrowded, offering a peaceful alternative to Japan's more famous Buddhist sites. The surrounding area in Katsuyama is also home to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.