Can anyone help me identify this little fellow?

Hello everyone
A few years ago I was an exchange student in Japan, just outside Beppu. At the end of my stay, my lovely host family took me on a beautiful drive out to a little village with a shop selling statues and various religious tokens, such as bracelets and tablets.
While there they bought for me a beautiful little statue of... someone? After carefully taking him with me on a few moves, I decided it was finally time to discover who he is. I can't at all remember the name I was told.
All I remember is that the family had a large version (mine is roughly a handspan tall) next to the door which they rubbed for luck as they left. This made me think of buddha - but I can't find anything at all similar online. If anyone has any information on him I'd be very grateful. Thanks in advance

That's 福地蔵, a variation of 地蔵菩薩 made by 工房宇詩詩 in 湯布院.

The one you have would be オールマイティー大福地蔵.
http://www2.d-b.ne.jp/usisi/fukujizou.html

Thank you so much for this - exactly what I needed!