Makomanai Waterfall Forest

Opened in 1981, this is the largest cemetery in Sapporo. The park features Moai statues and stone formations, as well as the Great Buddha Hall designed by Tadao Ando in 2016. There is a 1,500-ton giant Buddha in Makomanai Takino Retreat, located in the suburbs of Sapporo, Hokkaido. This giant Buddha has been standing here for 15 years, guarding the quiet cemetery alone. In order to make the cemetery more known to the public and to commemorate its 30th anniversary, the cemetery decided to redesign the space. They invited architect Tadao Ando to replan the cemetery. Ando therefore made a bold suggestion - to hide the statue, which is also the architectural prototype of the "Tou Dai Butsuden" (Tou Dai Butsuden) in Makomanai Takino Reien. When you enter Makomanai Takino Reien, the first thing you see is a rectangular lake, and the walking route is divided into left and right sides. Walking along the lake, you will enter a 40-meter-long tunnel, at the end of which is the Buddha statue itself. In addition to the huge Buddha statue, this work also features a long lake, tunnel, open-air light and shadow, and large areas of lavender on the hills, making the walk to the Buddha statue full of peace and sacredness. No matter from which angle you look at it, the Buddha's body is covered and obscured by space. Only by moving forward with your steps and the real movement of your body can you meet the known and obvious thing at the end of the journey. Prefecture Hokkaido Prefecture Business hours: 7:00-19:00 (open until 18:00 from October to March) Closed: Open all year round Fee Free Address: 2 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo How to get there: Take a bus from Makomanai Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway for 25 minutes and get off at Makomanai Takino Reien.