Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura)

The Basics

Measuring some 38 ft (11 meters) tall, the Great Buddha of Kamakura once stood inside a grand temple hall. The hall was destroyed multiple times in the 14th and 15th centuries by typhoons and tsunamis, but the Buddha remained. It’s been sitting serenely in the open air ever since. All these years later you can still see traces of the gold leaf decoration that once covered the statue.

Elsewhere in the Kotoku-in temple complex, you can view the bronze lotus leaves that were made for the original pedestal on which the Buddha stood. An easy day trip from Tokyo, there are lots of ways to visit Kamakura, from one-day tours including other cultural highlights like tea ceremonies to guided bike and walking tours.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Entry to the temple is via paid ticket.
• You can see inside the Buddha statue for a small additional fee.
• Kotoku-in temple is fully wheelchair accessible.
• Kamakura is a seaside city, so leave some time to explore the waterfront.

How to Get There

Kamakura is an easy journey from Tokyo on public transport. The closest station is Hase on the Enoden streetcar line that runs to Kamakura station with onward connections to Yokohama and Tokyo. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tour from Tokyo with round-trip transport provided.

When to Get There

Kotoku-in temple and the Giant Buddha are open to the public all year round. Kamakura is a popular destination to visit in spring when the streets come alive with candy-floss flowers during the cherry blossom festival or hanami in Japanese.

Head to the Beach

If you’re visiting Japan during the summer months you can soak up the sun on the popular beaches around Kamakura. Yuigahama and Zaimokuza are the two most popular beaches, and in July and August, you’ll see many Tokyoites swimming and surfing along the shore. There are shower and changing facilities as well as stalls selling food and drinks.

Ways to explore

Measuring 37 feet (11.3 meters) tall, the bronze Daibutsu once stood inside a grand temple hall when Kamakura was the country’s capital. The hall was destroyed by typhoons and tsunamis in the 14th and 15th centuries, but the Buddha has remained sitting in the open air for over 500 years.

Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama, and there are many ways to visit. Think one-day tours that include other cultural highlights like tea ceremonies, guided bike and walking tours of the town, and tours that make the journey to Enoshima Island, just off the coast.

Accessibility

Kotokui-in Temple is mostly accessible, with ramps, accessible restrooms, and a limited number of wheelchairs to borrow, but there are some uneven areas.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Coins for making offerings at the temple, sunscreen

What to wear

Season-appropriate clothing—including a sunhat if necessary—and comfortable footwear for walking outside

Not allowed

Pets, flying drones, walking while eating or drinking (which is widely frowned upon in Japan)

Amenities

Restrooms, souvenir kiosks, cycle parking lot

Address

Kamakura is about 32 miles (53 kilometers) southwest of central Tokyo, and 19 miles (31 kilometers) south of Yokohama. The Daibutsu is within Kotoku-in Temple, located just north of the popular Hasedera Temple. You can get there by car, on a tour with round-trip transportation, or via public transportation.

Driving

Head south from Tokyo to Kamakura, skirting Yokohama to the west to avoid the city’s traffic. Kamakura is about a 90-minute drive from Tokyo. There are no parking facilities at Kotoku-in Temple, so you’ll have to look for parking nearby.

Public transportation

The easiest way to get there from Tokyo is to take the JR Shonan Shinjuku line from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station. From there, transfer to the Enoshima Electric Railway in the direction of Fujisawa. Get off at Hase Station, about 10 minutes’ walk from Kotoku-in and the Daibutsu.

Best times to visit

The exact opening times are seasonal; Kotoku-in Temple is typically open from 8am until around 4:30–5:30 pm. Early morning is a nice time to visit to avoid crowds of day trippers.

Best days to visit

Kotoku-in Temple is open daily. It tends to be busiest with visitors from Tokyo and Yokohama on the weekends, so come mid-week for a quieter experience.

Best months to visit

Spring (March–April) is an especially nice time to visit Kamakura, if you fancy a picnic beneath the cherry trees on the temple grounds.

Special events

Kotoku-in Temple is lively during the annual Kamakura Festival (April), a traditional festival with a parade and dancing.