As previously introduced on grape Japan, the Ushiku Buddha 牛久大仏 (Ushiku Daibutsu) in Ibaraki Prefecture is a massive structure which can be seen from miles away. Made in bronze and standing 120 meters tall, the height of a 36-story building, it's the tallest statue in Japan and the third tallest statue in the world.

If you think it looks impressive by itself, a new time-lapse video filmed by Sankei News shows how amazing it looks against the backdrop of the setting sun. And as an additional highlight, you can even see the profile of Mount Fuji at the same time.

At first, the giant Buddha is only vaguely visible in the lower right corner...

But as the sun gets closer to the horizon, the Ushiku Daibutsu becomes clearly visible in profile, the golden disc of the sun providing a stunning backdrop for the majestic statue.

Once the sun has set, the camera adjusts to the reduced light, revealing Mount Fuji and the Ushiku Daibutsu in more subdued hues.

You can enjoy the transition in the video below:

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If you'd like to visit Ushiku Daibutsu, it takes 40 minutes from Nippori station to Ushiku station on the JR Joban line and costs 970 yen. A bus departs from the station’s east exit and takes about 30 minutes to Ushiku Daibutsu bus stop. To find out more about it, please see our article here.