The Monk

We took Road 113 from Niigata to Murakami (after getting lost for a bit), but this is the scenic route that goes along the coast. Along the way we say a GIANT Monk, which we just HAD to stop at and take pictures of. After checking it out, we became determined to come back in the Spring and climb all the way to the top (we think/hope that's possible) since it looks like the eyes are cut out for view points. Future Road Trip, yeah!

THE STORY OF THE MONK (as told by Deccy to Shanna and Shanna to I)
A wealthy and sometimes stingy man owned a business across the street from where the Monk now stands. Sometime ago, he had a dream where the Monk (a 17th century Monk who lived in that area in the past) came to him and told him he needed to start spreading his wealth and working better with the people around him otherwise harm would come his way - death. The man took the dream seriously and partnered up with some of the smaller businesses around him and gave lots of his money away. He ended up building the statue of the Monk for others to learn about his dream and the fact to 'help where it is needed'. He's still alive today (maybe, not sure!) - just wanted to throw in a happy ending! :)

There's also a picture of the ocean view with the mountains in the background. Not the best of pictures since I took it while driving on the scary ice, but it can give you a SMALL image of the beauty that is Niigata. I love Niigata!!!!