The Long-Awaited Hill of the Buddha

Near Sapporo, I stepped into the "Hill of the Buddha" designed by Tadao Ando, and it felt like entering a sanctuary embraced by light and concrete. Through the long tunnel, the Buddha statue sits serenely under a circular skylight, with the blue sky and clouds as its only backdrop—solemn yet gentle. The spatial design here deliberately conceals the Buddha's body, leaving only a curve and natural light, allowing visitors to gradually calm their minds as they approach. Upon leaving the Buddha Hall, a spectacular lineup of giant Moai statues stands guard over the land, as if protecting it. This journey was not just an awe-inspiring encounter with architecture and sculpture but also a meditative and contemplative experience.