Morioka Daibutsu is the largest bronze statue of Amitabha in Japan, located at the top of Mount Futatsumori in Morioka. The impressive 12 meter Buddha statue was commissioned by locals in 1886 to commemorate the introduction of the railway in Morioka's Sanriku region. Standing majestically atop the mountain, the statue has become an iconic symbol of the city, and a popular pilgrimage and sight-seeing spot for tourists. Visitors can take a stairs leading from the base of the mountain, or take a ride on the aerial tramway to the summit and get up close and personal with this magnificent Buddha statue. While at Morioka Daibutsu, visitors can also enjoy a romantic stroll through the beautiful surrounding gardens, take in majestic views from the observation deck, or learn more about the history and culture of the area at the nearby museum.