Buddha Hill in Hokkaido

#summervacay #buddha The Hill of the Buddha (頭大仏, Atama Daibutsu), located in Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo, Hokkaido, is a striking fusion of architecture, nature, and spirituality designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando . ⸻ 🌿 What makes it unique • It was completed in December 2015 and surrounds a pre-existing 13.5 m tall stone Buddha, sculpted around 2000 . • The statue is enveloped in an artificial concrete hill, planted with about 150,000 lavender shrubs . • Only the Buddha’s head peaks above the hill; the rest is revealed through a dramatic 40 m tunnel, opening into a rotunda where visitors gaze up at the statue with sky framing its head . ⸻ 🌸 Seasonal Beauty • Summer (July): Lavender blooms turn the mound into a purple carpet, filling the air with fragrance—ideal for photos . • Winter: Snow blankets the hill, leaving just the head visible—creating a surreal, serene scene (). ⸻ 🛕 Spiritual Experience • At the entrance, a water garden acts as a ritual boundary—marking the transition into sacred space . • Inside, you’ll find areas to light incense, write prayers on ema, draw an omikuji (fortune), or attach message lanterns—adding a meaningful cultural layer Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -