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.
- 1 min read
Nikko's Narabi Jizo Statues
74 stone statues stretch out for 100 meters near river
![Larry Knipfing Larry Knipfing](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/24/240x240!/565e87e167ba810c868b6ba0.jpg)
Community writer
![These Jizo are old](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14436/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14436.jpg)
These Jizo are old
![There are a few statues here that have heads that have come off](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14437/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14437.jpg)
There are a few statues here that have heads that have come off
![The Jizo stretch out a very long way](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14438/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14438.jpg)
The Jizo stretch out a very long way
![The red bibs and cap combined with green moss is very pretty](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14440/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14440.jpg)
The red bibs and cap combined with green moss is very pretty
![Lovely cedar provide shade](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14441/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14441.jpg)
Lovely cedar provide shade
![Although quite old, they seem to be well cared for](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14442/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14442.jpg)
Although quite old, they seem to be well cared for
![Statues as old as the hills](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14443/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14443.jpg)
Statues as old as the hills
![Each statue looks different, depending on the angle](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14444/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14444.jpg)
Each statue looks different, depending on the angle
![I counted over seventy going in this direction...](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14445/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14445.jpg)
I counted over seventy going in this direction...
![...but fewer coming back. Hmmm.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14447/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14447.jpg)
...but fewer coming back. Hmmm.
![The Daiyagawa River runs just in front of the statues](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2206-14448/1000/tochigi-nikko-s-narabi-jizo-statues-14448.jpg)
The Daiyagawa River runs just in front of the statues
Join the discussion
Elena Lisina
5 years ago
Amazing! I hope to visit this place in summer. Thanks!
Justin Velgus
9 years ago
Beautiful during the day, but "ghosts" with missing heads sound a little scary at night!
2 comments in total
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