Sanbutsu-doh Hall is located on the back of copper statue of Priest Shoto. You will find that statue after you passed Shinkyo Sacred Bridge and go up long slope (Omote-sandoh front approach).

Priest Shoto was born in Shimotsuke (former Tochigi prefecture) . He became priest when he was 27 years old.

Priest Shoto designated mountainous area of Nikko as a pure land of Kannon, and tried to climb up the Mt. Nantai when he was 32 years old. Also, he built Shihonryuji Temple in 766. The Shihonryuji Temple was the birthplace of mountainous worship of Nikko.

Priest Shoto and his followers faced many hardships for 15 years, but overcame them and accomplished top of Mt. Nantai in 782. They found Lake Chuzenji at that time, and built Chuzenji Temple lakeside.

Also, a number of legends are related to Priest Shoto. For example, big snakes appeared and transformed themselves into a bridge when Shoto stood on the riverside.

The copper statue of Priest Shoto was built to praise his contribution to Nikko. That statue also was a memorial building of inauguration of Municipal-government. It was made by Kuniomi Niizeki in 1955.

This statue is 2.1m high, and foundation is 3.6m high. Rocks of the foundation were brought from Kanmangafuchi abyss, where Priest Shoto was related. The rock is bluish black and shines when it is wet. It is estimated that 31t weight. There are many inscriptions on that giant rock.

Two copper plates are inserted in the foundation. One is in front, and another is on the back. The front plate describes "Statue of Priest Shoto, who Civilized Mountainous Area of Nikko", while the back plate describes note of construction.