Aug 13, 2012 - 1 min read

Nikko's Narabi Jizo Statues

74 stone statues stretch out for 100 meters near river

By Larry Knipfing

Community writer

These Jizo are old

There are a few statues here that have heads that have come off

The Jizo stretch out a very long way

The red bibs and cap combined with green moss is very pretty

Lovely cedar provide shade

Although quite old, they seem to be well cared for

Statues as old as the hills

Each statue looks different, depending on the angle

I counted over seventy going in this direction...

...but fewer coming back. Hmmm.

The Daiyagawa River runs just in front of the statues

Located in the Kanmangafuchi area of Nikko, these stone Jizo statues are lined up in front of a wall and stretch a hundred meters or so, looking down upon the Daiyagawa River. Jizo are the protectors of the souls of travelers and unborn children. The statues here are also known as “Bake Jizo” or “Ghost Jizo” apparently because each time you count them, the total never comes out the same! Or perhaps it is because some of the statues have lost their heads (in earthquakes? floods?). However, those heads sit next to the Jizo bodies; forever together, but forever apart.

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Larry Knipfing

By Larry Knipfing

Community writer

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina 7 years ago

Amazing! I hope to visit this place in summer. Thanks!

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Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus 11 years ago

Beautiful during the day, but "ghosts" with missing heads sound a little scary at night!

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