Tranquil Buddha Sculpture Garden, Hanibe Caves, Japan
Serene Buddha statue surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil ponds in a Japanese sculpture garden.

The Terrifying Hanibe Caves

The Hanibe Caves harbour some mysterious creatures … enter if you dare!

Hanibe Caves ハ ニ ベ 岩 窟 (Hanibe gankutsu), in Komatsu city (Ishikawa prefecture) … home to a strange collection of statues of Buddhas and other deities. A crazy conga that swings between peaceful Buddhas and images of the torments of hell.

Hanibe Caves
Hanibe Caves

This place used to be a stone quarry. To find better quality rocks, miners dug down and created a number of cavities.

The quarry was long abandoned before being rediscovered by sculptor Yuma Tsugata. The story goes that he was drunk when he stumbled across the site.

Tsugata opened a temple there in 1951 and his creativity flowed through the hundred sculptures that populate the 150 metres of tunnels.

Hanibe Caves
Hanibe Caves

From the car park, visitors are greeted by a huge Buddha head, 15 metres high. The catchphrase written at the entrance sets the scene right away: “The village of Buddha, where demons also play” 鬼 も 遊 ぶ 仏 陀 の 里.

Hanibe Caves
Hanibe Caves

The name Hanibe comes from the word haniwa, which means clay figurine.

In the first section of the caves, statues of Indian deities (Daikoku and Shakyamuni) are on display. Then come representations from the Kama Sutra. The further you venture into the depths, the more terrifying the symbols become.

Hanibe Caves
Hanibe Caves

The second part of the caves is devoted to Buddhist punishments and other tortures of hell:

  • Someone crushed by a car, cut in half or covered in blood.
  • Demons who drink human blood and skewer human flesh.
  • Erotic statues of all kinds (such as an oversized flaccid penis).

Hard to believe you’re still in a Buddhist temple.

The sculptor has carved nearly a hundred statues and made it a point of honour that they should all be unique. Every face and every expression has been carefully considered.

Once out of the hell caves, climb the path to the hilltop where a reclining Buddha will bring you some inner peace.

Hanibe Caves
Hanibe Caves

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

Instagram

In whispers of green, A windmill twirls tales untold, Red roofs fade in time. 静かな緑の中で、 風車が語らぬ物語を回し、 赤い屋根が時と共に消えていく。#windmilltales #rusticcharm #natureandcity #urbanserenity #japancontrast #offbeatjapan #japan
Rust cliffs kiss the sea, Turquoise whispers secrets deep— Nature's vivid brush. 崖が海と キスをしながら蒼き 自然の筆。 #offbeatjapan #japan #coastallandscapes #volcanicisland #naturelovers #stunningviews #wanderlust #cliffside
Rust embraces gray tones, Moss dances in vivid green— Nature's quiet claim.錆びた灰色に抱かれ 苔が鮮やかに踊る 自然の静かなる主張#offbeatjapan #japan #industrialart #rustandruin #naturewins #urbanexploration #mossybeauty
Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan