Hakuba Daibutsu

A quiet Daibutsu, worth a visit if you're in the area

Some Daibutsu statues I've visited in Japan have been really crowded due to their popularity, but the Hakuba Daibutsu in Itoigawa is a much more tranquil experience. The Daibutsu is very close to the Niigata/Nagano prefectural border, and the statue itself is around 24 meters high. We were the only people there when we stopped by, so it felt very serene and calming. I wouldn't necessarily recommend going out of your way to check this Daibutsu out, but if you're near the area anyway it's a pleasant and relaxing addition to your trip.