Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu)

A huge national treasure with many mysteries

The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is the principal image of the temple Kotokuin (Kotokuin Temple) and the symbol of Kamakura.
The statue is 11.31 meters high (13.35 meters if the pedestal is included) and weighs about 121 tons, and is designated as a national treasure.

It is believed that the bronze statue of the Great Buddha was created in 1252.

Excavations have revealed that the statue was originally enshrined in the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), but an earthquake and tsunami later caused the hall to collapse, and in 1486 the statue was described as sitting in an open position.

At the time of its completion, the Great Buddha was a golden statue with its entire body covered in gold leaf. It can be confirmed that the surface was covered with gold leaf.

The inside of the statue is hollow, allowing people to enter, and general visitors can also see the inside of the Daibutsu.

Three literary monuments stand in the precincts of the temple, including one by Akiko Yosano, who composed a poem about the Great Buddha.

Information

Name
Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu)
鎌倉大仏
Link
Official Site
Address
4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Telephone number
0467-22-0703
Hours of operation

April - September 8:00-17:30
October - March: 8:00-17:00

Daibutsu Tomb
8:00-16:30

Admission fee

Admission
Adults 300 yen (including junior high and high school students)
Elementary school students: 150 yen

Parking lot
No parking lot
Access

Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)
Via Kamakura
JR Yokosuka Line Kamakura Station → Transfer to Enoshima Electric Railway (bound for Fujisawa), Hase Station → Approximately 7 minutes walk

Via Fujisawa Station
JR Tokaido Line or Odakyu Line Fujisawa Station → Transfer to Enoshima Electric Railway (bound for Kamakura), Hase Station → Approximately 7 minutes on foot

From Kamakura Station by bus
Take the Enoshima Dentetsu Bus from Kamakura Station East Exit Bus Stop #1 or the Keihin Kyuko Bus from Bus Stop #6 → Get off at the Daibutsu-mae stop.

Area
Kanagawa Kamakura Kanto
Category
Temples Shrines, Temples, Churches Historic sites, Cultural properties, Buildings

Gallery

Kamakura

Kanagawa

Category

Area