This time, we visited the renowned architect Tadao Ando’s creation for a cemetery—the Atama Daibutsu (Head Buddha).
The Atama Daibutsu is located within the Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo.
The cemetery spans 1.8 million square meters.
In addition to the Atama Daibutsu, the grounds also feature Moai and a Stonehenge.
In summer (mid-July), around 150,000 lavender plants bloom beautifully.
In the picture below, you can see the Atama Daibutsu covered in snow, with only the “head” visible.
The main entrance to the Atama Daibutsu Hall.
In winter, it is also covered in snow.
Upon entering, you can see a passageway made of raw concrete.
The design above the passageway is quite unique.
The Atama Daibutsu reveals itself.
The front view is quite solemn.
You can walk around the base of the Atama Daibutsu.
I find the hollow design at the top reminiscent of the halo often depicted in Buddhist art.
At the base of the walls, you can also see many small Buddha statues.
Walking around to the back.
Here, you will find a headless Bodhisattva.
Hmm, there seem to be cracks on the left side of the chin and ear.
After viewing the statues, some visitors were lighting candles, most of which had Thai inscriptions.
The Atama Daibutsu’s ema (votive plaques) are quite cute.
The fortune slips also have Thai text.
On either side of the passageway to the Atama Daibutsu, there is an exhibition hall and a restaurant.
Upon entering, you see many flowers arranged on the tables.
The restaurant offers light meals and drinks.
Inside the restaurant.
From the restaurant, you can also see the top of the Atama Daibutsu.
The shop sells many souvenirs, many of which are lavender-related products, such as dried flowers.
Hokkaido’s wild chokeberry jam.
Lavender essential oil.
Lavender ice cream, though I didn’t try it.
Postcards of the Atama Daibutsu.
Photo books.
Coasters
The design on the coasters actually represents the layout of the restaurant, with the mouth area being where the flowers are arranged at the entrance.
After visiting the restaurant, we went outside to explore more.
You can see that the cemetery even has a replica of England’s Stonehenge.
However, the snow was too thick, so I didn’t go inside to take photos.
Next, we visited the Moai statues.
The statue on the far right looks different from the other Moai statues, resembling South American indigenous people more.
There are also three deer here.
Up close, the Moai are quite massive.
Each Moai is covered in a significant amount of snow.
That’s the experience of visiting the Atama Daibutsu and Moai at Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo.
Although the Atama Daibutsu and Moai are within the cemetery, they are located near the entrance, quite a distance from the graveyard.
If you’re interested in this attraction, it’s recommended to take a bus to visit.
Atama Daibutsu – Makomanai Takino Cemetery (Official Website)
Admission: Free
Atama Daibutsu Opening Hours: April to October 9:00-16:00, November to March 10:00-15:00
How to get there: From Sapporo Subway Makomanai Station, take the Chuo Bus No. 108 from Bus Stop No. 2 to “Takino Cemetery.” The journey takes 23 minutes and costs ¥380.
Map：
『Original Source：https://nicklee.tw/2764/sapporo-takinoreien/』
