Great Buddha of Kamakura Area

Address: 4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm (hours may vary seasonally)

Admission: ¥200 (approx.) for adults

Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a large outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha located at Kōtoku-in temple in Kamakura. The statue was cast in the mid-13th century and is one of Japan’s most famous large Buddha figures.

The statue stands in the open air on the temple grounds and is noted for its simple, serene form and large scale, measuring over 13 metres tall. Visitors come to view the statue, walk the temple grounds and appreciate the nearby coastal and temple-town setting.

The bronze figure was cast in 1252 during the Kamakura period; the original temple hall that once sheltered the statue was destroyed by storms and tsunami in later centuries, leaving the Daibutsu exposed outdoors. The statue has undergone conservation work over time to maintain its bronze surface and structure.

Kamakura is a coastal city about 50 km southwest of central Tokyo by rail, and the Daibutsu sits within a compact temple precinct amid wooded hills and suburban streets close to the city’s other historic sites.

• Size and date: The bronze statue dates to 1252 and measures about 13.35 metres in height, standing outdoors on the temple grounds of Kōtoku-in.

From Tokyo take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station (around one hour); transfer there to the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) and ride one stop to Hase Station. The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) is a short 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station. There are also direct buses from Kamakura Station to the Daibutsu area and taxi options.

• Take the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) to Hase Station and walk from there-it's the shortest, most straightforward route to the Daibutsu and avoids longer walks from central Kamakura.
• Go early in the morning to avoid the bulk of day-trip crowds and tour buses; morning light is also better for photos of the bronze statue and the temple grounds.
• Combine the stop with Hase-dera temple (a short walk uphill) to see a quieter, more varied set of temple gardens and coastal views that many visitors miss when they only visit the Daibutsu.