Tucked into the hills of Komatsu about a 20-minute drive from Komatsu Station are the Hanibe Caves ハニベ岩窟, famous for their many Buddhist statues and the parody of hell.
Entrance to Hanibe
There are no information pamphlets in English, but you will receive a map of the suggested route upon entry. A giant statue of the Buddha’s head and shoulders marks the entry, as, as my partner noted, looks like it might open its eyes, rise up out of the ground, and stomp off to fight with Godzilla.
There are statues and shrines on the way up the hill to the caves. Inside the first cave, make a wish by buying a ceramic piece, writing your wish on it, and throwing it into (or near) a ceramic basin.
Make a wish!
The first section of the caves features Buddhist art from India–statues of various saints, depictions of the Buddha’s childhood–and a host of statues in flagrante delicto. A stone Kama Sutra, if you will.
The parody of Hell is much less fun than the imported statues from India, but, in being a parody, is still pretty entertaining in a grotesque way. There are statues depicted (Buddhist) punishment for various sins, and at the end, more saints to redeem you. Afterward, if your legs are strong enough and it’s not raining, climb the path to the garden on top of the hill, where Shakamuni Buddha reclines.
Jaws theme
My impressions of the place were mixed. While I enjoyed seeing “heaven” and the natural beauty of the place, the abandoned atmosphere gave me the heebie-jeebies. However, if you have an interest in Buddhist art, Hanibe Caves makes for an interesting afternoon.
Leah Zoller is a first-year CIR in Anamizu and landed her wish right in the middle of the box.
Access
石川県小松市立明寺町イ１番地
Ishikawa-ken Komatsu-shi Ryuumyouji-machi I-1
Tel. 0761-47-3188
By public transportation:
From JR Komatsu station 小松駅, take the Komatsu bus bound for Nishikarumikai 西軽海かい, Hanibe and get off at Hanibe ハニベ bus stop.
By car:
Take the 8 to the 360, pass the Family Mart and look for the signs around the 軽海 intersection.
Map (Japanese)
Free parking lot adjacent to site
Hours
8:30-17:00（March-November）
9:00-16:00 （December-February）
Open throughout the year
Cost
Adults: 800 yen
Children (up to and including high school students) 500 yen
Free of charge on the New Year’s Day
More information
Article in The Nihon Sun (English).
Ishikawa JET 
Scary place but DEF worth a visit. Especially creepy is the overgrown outside ‘garden’ with statues above the caves.