Echizen Daibutsu, Katsuyama

This temple is surreal, it has a Game of Thrones vibe. The main temple has a giant Buddha and statues surrounding the building from floor to ceiling. The grand scale of the structure is incredible inside and out. The pagoda is huge and has its own elevator which is a plus. We visited when they first opened and the area was very thick with fog which gave it that surreal feel. Many of the businesses as you walk up were closed unfortunately. Parking is free and they have a goshuin stamp available.

Even though is almost desert because japanese people do not like "modern" times built buddhist temple, it has the biggest seated Buda of Japan. It was finished in 1992 by a private investor who wanted to create a Buddha's amusement park, with accurate replicas of ancient statues and buildings. Because of the bankruptcie of the 22 hectares complexe, it was donated to traditional Buddhism to avoid taxes.