Awaji Kannon: One of the world's tallest statues
Witness History5 Huhti 2023

Awaji Kannon: One of the world's tallest statues

In 1982, a Japanese businessman unveiled one of the tallest statues in the world called the World Peace Giant Kannon in Awaji Island, Japan.

At 100 metres tall, the statue was visible from all across the island.

Despite healthy visitor numbers when it first opened, the statue fell into disrepair and locals believed it was haunted.

Emily Finch speaks to local resident Yusuke Natsukawa about the impact of the statue on the island, and Goro Otsubo who visited the statue in 2002.

A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Picture: Awaji Kannon. Credit: Shutterstock)

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