This weekend was the highlight of Hanami.
Hanami generally means cherry blossom viewing, but for some little girls, it means cherry blossom `chewing’.



This is Tochoji-temple in Hakata area (*).



It has something very special upstairs.



This is it !!
People believe Big Buddha exists only in Nara and Kamakura.
But now you see Fukuoka also has it, and it’s the largest one made of wood, and sitting.

In addition to meeting this Big Buddha, you can try `haunted house’ just behind him, where you can experience hell and heaven !!

---

*Hakata is a traditional part of Fukuoka prefecture, where zen, tea, noodle, first brought in from China. It used to be a merchant town, and it still is. Hakata station is the largest station in whole Kyushu, and the airport is very close (only 10 minutes from the station). You can visit Hakata from Tokyo (Haneda airport) within about 1′30” to 2′00”