These Jizo are old (Photo: Larry Knipfing)

Nikko's Narabi Jizo Statues

74 stone statues stretch out for 100 meters near river

Larry Knipfing   - 1 min read

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.

Larry Knipfing

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...