Nofukuji Temple is a historical Buddhist temple in Kobe city known for its great Buddha statue, the Hyogo Daibutsu. The temple was founded by the famous Buddhist monk Saicho in 805 upon his return from a study trip to China. Saicho (767-822) is best known for founding the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism which exerted a major influence on Japanese history through its main temple, Hieizan Enryakuji. Nofukuji temple, however, is known as the first place where Saicho preached and has its own illustrious history, with powerful patrons including the Heike or Taira family. The great Buddha statue was first created in 1891, funded by a wealthy merchant, to counteract the influence of Christianity in the Kobe area. It became a landmark that sailors entering the Kobe harbor could see from afar and was known as one of the three great Buddhas of Japan. Because of metal shortages during World War Two, the statue was disassembled. However, the 11m-high statue (not including the pedestal) was reconstructed in 1991.

Photograph provided by KOBE TOURISM BUREAU