What to know
The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a monumental bronze statue of Amida Buddha located on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. Standing 11.4 meters tall, it has long been Japan's second tallest bronze Buddha, surpassed only by the statue at Todaiji Temple in Nara and a few more recent creations.
Cast in 1252, the statue originally sat inside a large temple hall. However, the hall was repeatedly destroyed by typhoons and a tsunami in the 14th and 15th centuries. Since the late 15th century, the Buddha has stood in the open air.
The Great Buddha is a 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station, the third stop from Kamakura on the Enoden railway line. The Enoden is a charming streetcar-like train connecting Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its Kamakura terminal is right next to JR Kamakura Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 17:30 (until 17:00 from October to March)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92) (plus 50 yen (~$0.32) to enter the interior of the Buddha)
- English name
- Kotokuin Temple
- Original name
- Great Buddha of Kamakura
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.