Nanzoin Temple

Temple

Prefecture

Fukuoka

Type

Temple

N/A

0 reviews

Free

Entry Fee

Free Entry Train Access

About This Destination

Shingon Buddhist temple housing the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue at 41 meters long, set in a forested mountain valley.

Nanzoin Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple in the town of Sasaguri, about 30 minutes east of central Fukuoka. The temple is famous for its enormous bronze reclining Buddha statue, the Shaka Nehanzo, which measures 41 meters long and 11 meters high, making it the largest bronze Buddha of its kind in the world. The statue was completed in 1995 and depicts the Buddha entering nirvana. The temple sits in a lush forested valley and is the first stop on the Sasaguri 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a miniature version of the Shikoku pilgrimage. The head priest famously won the lottery multiple times, making the temple also popular with those seeking good fortune. The grounds include beautiful moss-covered stone Buddha statues along forest paths.

Location

Prefecture: Fukuoka

Address: Sasaguri, Fukuoka, Japan

Nearest Station: Kido-Nanzoin-mae Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No on-site dining. A few small shops near the station sell snacks and drinks.

Official Website

Access

Fukuoka, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Nanzoin Temple from Fukuoka?

Take the JR Sasaguri Line from Hakata Station to Kido-Nanzoin-mae Station (about 25 minutes, 460 yen). The temple is a 3-minute walk from the station. Trains run every 20–30 minutes; check the return schedule before visiting as service thins after 8 PM. Free parking is available if driving (about 30 minutes from central Fukuoka).

Can I go inside the Reclining Buddha?

Yes — for an extra 500 yen donation, you can enter the Buddha's interior and walk through passages displaying Buddhist relics from Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Inside you'll find wooden tablets where visitors write wishes for loved ones. The interior experience adds spiritual depth beyond just viewing from outside, and is the temple's most distinctive offering. Reservation isn't required.

Why is Nanzoin Temple associated with good luck?

The head priest famously won the lottery multiple times, totaling over 130 million yen — and donated much of it to the temple's expansion. The temple has since become a popular pilgrimage spot for those seeking financial fortune. You can purchase special lottery-winning amulets (omamori) for 500–1,000 yen, which are widely considered Kyushu's most popular charm of this type. Many visitors specifically time their visit before buying lottery tickets.

When is the best time to visit Nanzoin Temple?

Spring (cherry blossoms in early April around the temple grounds) and autumn (foliage in mid-November in the surrounding mountain valley) are the most photogenic. The temple is in a forested valley so it stays comfortable even in summer. Mornings before 11 AM are quietest. Allow about 1.5 hours total — the grounds are spread out, with the reclining Buddha at the upper end of the valley. Wear comfortable shoes for the gentle uphill walk through forest paths.

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