🇯🇵 Is This Japan’s Most Underrated Temple? Nanzoin’s MASSIVE Reclining Buddha Near Fukuoka 🙏

Explore Nanzoin Temple near Fukuoka, home to one of the largest bronze Reclining Buddha statues in the world.
In March 2025, we traveled from Hakata along the JR Sasaguri Line to visit this iconic spiritual site tucked into the bamboo-covered hills of rural Kyushu. This peaceful journey takes you from Kido Nanzoin-Mae Station, across a river bridge, and through forests, shrines, and charming local shops—all before you even reach the temple gates.

Along the way, experience:
🌿 Swaying bamboo forests
⛩️ A riverside walk through a quiet neighborhood
🐾 Cat Jizo statues and good-luck charms
🎶 The red Melody Bridge and its singing metal bars
🗿 Thousands of Jizo statues dressed with red caps and bibs
🔥 The fierce guardian Fudo Myo-o at the entrance
🙏 A chance to pray inside the Reclining Buddha
🎯 The Masu-ire “box toss” good-luck dart game
🏞️ Scenic hillside paths, waterfalls, and hidden corners

The massive bronze Reclining Buddha—41m long and 11m tall—feels even more breathtaking in person than in photos. This is one of Kyushu’s most awe-inspiring temples and a must-see if you’re visiting Fukuoka.

If you're planning a Japan trip, or you're building a Kyushu or Fukuoka itinerary, this guide gives you an honest look at what the experience is really like.

🔖 Chapter List
00:00 – 🚆 Journey from Fukuoka to Nanzoin Temple
00:27 – 🚉 Arriving at Kido Nanzoin-Mae Station
01:07 – 🎍 Bamboo Forests & First Glimpse of the Buddha
01:25 – 🌊 Riverside Walk Toward the Temple
01:46 – ⛩️ Passing the Neighborhood Shrine & Community Center
02:06 – 🛍️ Small Shops, Charms & Forest Path
02:24 – 🔥 Fudo Myo-o Guardian Statue & Jizo Figures
03:12 – 🎶 Melody Bridge, Caves & Cat Jizo Statues
03:58 – 🌄 Exploring Hidden Paths & Hillside Trails
04:12 – 🗿 First Full View of the Reclining Buddha
04:52 – 🕉️ Meaning of the Statue & 108 Sacred Symbols
05:32 – 🏮 Inside the Buddha: Prayer Ritual & Shrine Chamber
05:48 – 🎯 Masu-ire Dart Game (Wind Challenge!)
06:13 – 💬 Honest Impressions & Reactions
06:41 – 😮 Experiencing the Buddha’s True Scale & Serenity
07:02 – ⭐ Final Thoughts: A New Favorite Temple?