May 15, 2017 - 1 min read

Kyushu's Stone Buddhas

Retracing early Buddhism in Japan

By Steve Morton

Community writer

When looking closely at these statues it soon become apparent that the centuries of being exposed to the elements has taken its toll

Located 40 kilometers south of Beppu City is the sleepy town of Utsuki

Even before reaching the valley's Stone Buddhas you are given a taste of things to come as you step outside the station

Divided into four clusters, the first group you see contains over 20 statues

Although some statues have weathered better than others

Thanks to continuing restoration work many of these statues are able to maintain much of their original detail

Located in amongst these clusters of statues is this small Shrine found at the top of a forested hill

Although said to have been carved out from around the 12th-14th century, the exact details are unknown

It’s not difficult to be impressed by how well these statues have survived for so long!

Situated about 40 kilometers south of Beppu City in Kyushu's Oita Prefecture lies the sleepy castle town of Utsuki which probably wouldn’t feature high on anyone’s itinerary if not for its impressive stone Buddhas

Situated in a nearby valley, these statues are believed to date back from around the 12th to 14th Century. Officially known at Seki-butsu, these stone Buddhas are a series of religious statues which have been carved into the valley’s rock face. Comprising of about 60 statues in total and divided into four main cluster groups, this valley represents one of Japan’s earliest encounters with Buddhism. Because of Kyushu’s close proximity to Korea and mainland Asia, it’s highly probable that this was one of the first areas in the country to embrace this religion.

From Usuki Station, regular buses make the 15 minute journey to this valley. For the more adventurous visitor, it’s also possible to rent a bike from the small tourist office located directly outside of the station’s main ticket office