Echizen Daibutsu (Echizen Great Buddha)
越前大仏（大師山清大寺）
Echizen Daibutsu is a huge bronze Buddha statue at Seidaiji, a Rinzai Zen temple in Katsuyama. The seated statue is 17 metres tall and is modelled on a statue in the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang, China. It is made of bronze, and with its halo and pedestal the total height is 28 metres. On some mornings and evenings the temple holds special viewings of the sea of clouds.
Visitor information
- Opening hours
Regular season 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); winter season 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30).
- Closed
Open every day, but there may be temporary closures in winter.
- Admission
Adults 500 yen. Cash only.
- Getting there
Take the community bus (bound for Heisenji) from Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station, get off at Echizen Daibutsu-mae and walk 8 minutes.
Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.
Good to know
- Parking is free, with space for 400 cars.
Tips for Muslim visitors
- The hall contains a 17 m bronze seated Buddha and 1,281 Buddha statues on its walls. Visitors may simply look around.
- An elevator takes visitors to the top of the five-story pagoda, so no long stair climb is needed.
- Payment is cash only.
- Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
- Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
- Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
- Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Fukui and the verified places to pray nearby.
- Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.
Prayer times in Fukui
Today (5 Nov 2026)
- Fajr04:44
- Sunrise06:21
- Dhuhr11:41
- Asr14:34
- Maghrib16:56
- Isha18:23
Times are calculated for Fukui City. Times may differ elsewhere in Fukui.
Places to pray near Echizen Daibutsu (Echizen Great Buddha)
We have not verified a place to pray near here yet. Many large stations, airports and department stores in Japan have prayer rooms.
Halal food near Echizen Daibutsu (Echizen Great Buddha)
We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:
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Map
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Photo: Suikotei, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): fuku-e.com, etizen-daibutu.com