Special viewing of Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) sea of ​​clouds: Japan's tallest Buddha and a fantastic sea of ​​clouds! A popular scenic spot!

Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, is home to the Daishiyama Kiyomizu-dera Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu), famous as the tallest Buddha in Japan. In addition, the tallest five-story pagoda in Japan and the Japanese garden offer seasonal views such as cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and autumn leaves. Recently, the Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) has become popular as a spot that looks great on social media.

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Katsuyama DMO

Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the course of the Kuzuryu River, and is a rural city rich in water and greenery, with commerce and industry based on the local textile industry since the Meiji period, and agriculture and forestry having been thriving since ancient times. Our company is a DMO (tourism region development organization) that works with local communities to develop tourist areas. Katsuyama City is a treasure trove of attractive tourist content, including the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Temple! We provide detailed services to customers visiting Katsuyama , such as guided tours that allow many people to experience Katsuyama , the Geo Terminal in the parking lot of the Dinosaur Museum, and the operation of the "Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama" Roadside Station , which opened in June 2020. We are also actively challenging ourselves to create new businesses centered around tourism, aiming to revitalize the town of Katsuyama.

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• Table of Contents
• About Echizen Great Buddha of Daishizan Seidaiji Temple
• Only in April to November! "Sea of Clouds Special Viewing"
• Different Scenery in Different Seasons and Times of the Day
• Capturing the Stunning View
• Detailed Information
• The Limited "Special Unkai Goshuin": The Temple's Original Stamp 
• Visit Echizen Great Buddha for a Memorable View 

About Echizen Great Buddha of Daishizan Seidaiji Temple

The Echizen Great Buddha at Daishizan Seidaiji temple in Katsuyama City is the largest seated statue in Japan, standing 17 meters tall. It is larger than the Nara Daibutsu. While the Nara Daibutsu is chunky, the Echizen Great Buddha has a slender, gentle face and neck. In addition, 1,281 stone and gold Buddhas are enshrined on the three walls to the left, right and back of the Great Buddha, and two arhat statues and two bodhisattva statues are enshrined on each side of the Great Buddha as attendant Buddhas.

Only in April to November! "Sea of Clouds Special Viewing"

Every year from April to late November, special viewing of the sea of ​​clouds is held every day from 8:00 to 9:00 and in the evenings from 16:00 to 17:00.
You will be transported into a mysterious world, as if you have wandered into a space inhabited by hermits.

As soon as you step through the main gate, you will be greeted by a sea of ​​clouds.A sea of ​​white clouds covers the entire area in front of the Great Buddha Hall.

As you walk into the sea of ​​clouds, the Great Buddha Hall, with its overwhelming presence, comes into view.
The space makes you feel as if you have wandered into a world inhabited by hermits.

Different Scenery in Different Seasons and Times of the Day

Special viewing of the sea of ​​clouds is available for one hour each from 8:00 to 9:00 and 16:00 to 17:00.

In the morning, you can enjoy the slow flow of time in the clear air.
In the evening, depending on the season and time of day, you can see the setting sun painting the five-story pagoda and the trees surrounding it orange.

Our Recommendation: Earlier Times 

Local staff recommend going right after the gates open around 8:00.

There are no people around and it is relatively windless, so you can see a beautiful sea of ​​clouds.
If you want to take beautiful photos, try to go in the morning.

Capturing the Stunning View

The flow of the sea of ​​clouds changes depending on the wind direction and weather, so you can see different scenery at each moment. Try taking photos from various angles, such as the sea of ​​clouds seen from the Daibutsumon entrance and the sea of ​​clouds seen with the Daibutsu Hall behind you, to post on social media.

Detailed Information

◆Special viewing time for the sea of ​​clouds

8:00-9:00/16:00-17:00 *No reservations required

◆Special viewing fee for the sea of ​​clouds

Adults 1,000 yen Children 500 yen Sea of ​​Clouds special stamp 500 yen

Echizen Great Buddha's Regular Operating Hours

◆ Visiting hours

8:00-17:00
*Winter: 9:00-16:00

◆ Admission fee

Adults 500 yen Children 300 yen Preschoolers free

◆Others

Goshuin: 300 yen per stamp Goshuin book: 1200 yen per book Original Buddha goods, etc.

The Limited "Special Unkai Goshuin": The Temple's Original Stamp 

Those who come to the special viewing of the sea of ​​clouds can get a "special sea of ​​clouds version goshuin" . Be sure to get this special goshuin, which features a sea of ​​clouds and the Echizen Great Buddha. It is on sale for 500 yen each .

Visit Echizen Great Buddha for a Memorable View 

Why not experience the majestic space that can only be experienced at the special viewing of the Echizen Great Buddha sea of ​​clouds?
You can enjoy different atmospheres depending on the season you visit, so you might make new discoveries every time you visit.

More to Read About Echizen Great Buddha 

Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha

911-0811 50-1-1 Katase , Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

The model for the Great Buddha is a seated statue in the Longmen Grottoes on the outskirts of Luoyang, Henan, China, the origin of Buddhism. It is 17 meters tall. It is larger than the Nara Great Buddha (16.2 meters in documents, 14.98 meters in actual measurement). In addition, the halo is 23 meters, and the 3-meter lotus pedestal is placed on a 2-meter stone base, making the total height 28 meters. While the Nara Great Buddha is stocky, the Echizen Great Buddha is characterized by its slender and gentle face and neck. It is made of copper, with a total weight of 200 tons. In addition, 1,281 stone and gold Buddhas are enshrined on the three walls on the left, right, and back of the Great Buddha, and two arhat statues (10.3 meters) and two bodhisattva statues (11.2 meters) are enshrined on each side of the Great Buddha as attendant Buddhas.