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Swirling Mist at a Buddhist Temple

 

©Katsuyama DMO  

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Swirling Mist at a Buddhist Temple

 

Watch the Fukui temple home to one of Japan’s largest Buddha statues be transformed by an enchanting landscape of mist

Katsuyama DMO

 

©Katsuyama DMO

 

Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is home to Daishizan Seidaiji Temple, which happens to feature the Echizen Great Buddha, one of Japan’s largest Buddha statues. Visitors to the temple in mornings or late afternoons from April to late November can encounter a rather unique sight after passing through the main gate, an artificial sea of white clouds enveloping the area before the Great Buddha Hall. This transforms the temple grounds into a mystical landscape, creating an otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of ancient hermit dwellings.

The sea of clouds is generated daily from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., and depending on the season and time of day, the scenery creates very different impressions. Morning viewings offer serene, clear air, while evening sessions may feature stunning sunsets illuminating the five-story pagoda. Regular temple hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in winter), and the staff recommend arriving at 8:00 a.m. for optimal viewing and photography conditions. Visitors can also purchase a commemorative "Sea of Clouds" temple stamp (goshuin).

This extraordinary spectacle offers a memorable experience for international visitors, showcasing a unique aspect of Japan's natural beauty intertwined with its cultural heritage.

 

©Katsuyama DMO

How to get there

 

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Limited Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga Station (about 50 minutes). From there, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui Station (about 20 minutes), then transfer to the Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line and ride for about 50 minutes until you reach Katsuyama Station. From Katsuyama Station, a 10-minute car ride will take you to the Echizen Great Buddha.

 

50-1-1, Katase, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui-ken

 

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