Ueno Daibutsu, Tokyo

Originally, Ueno Daibutsu wasn’t just a face but a towering, six-meter-tall bronze statue of Shaka Nyorai (which is the local name of Buddha Shakyamuni), seated in all his enlightened glory. But fate (and gravity) had other plans. Today, only the face remains, gazing out solemnly from Mount Daibutsu, right next to Ueno Park. It’s got good company, though—a pagoda-style prayer tower dedicated to Yakushi Buddha and a shrine to keep it from feeling too lonely.

The statue's history is basically a tragicomedy of disasters. First built in 1631, it barely had time to settle in before the 1640 earthquake knocked it around a bit. Then came a fire in 1841, followed by yet another earthquake in 1855. But the real knockout punch arrived with the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which sent the statue’s head tumbling. And just when it thought things couldn’t get worse, World War II came along, and most of its body was melted down for metal donations. Some rough life, indeed...

The head and torso managed to survive, tucked away in Kanei-ji Temple, waiting for a grand comeback. But by 1972, all that remained was the face, which was finally put back on display at its original site. A little battered, a little world-weary, but still standing—or, at least, hanging.

More recently, in the early 2000s, students facing tough exams started showing up to pay their respects. Why? Because this Buddha never falls—literally. The relief is fixed to the wall, and in Japanese, “non-falling” sounds suspiciously similar to “non-failing.” Thus, the “Great Buddha of Success” was born. Now, it’s a go-to spot for those hoping to pass their tests, with students whispering prayers to a statue that has definitely been through worse.

So, if you need a little luck—or just want to meet a Buddha with a truly dramatic backstory—Ueno Daibutsu is waiting, face forward, unwavering, and, well, qualified for success.