Situated in Kanagawa prefecture, just 100 minutes out of Tokyo, is Kamakura. To reach Kamakura from Tokyo, take a train from Shinjuku station to Fujisawa station, and then catch the local ’Enoden’ train to Kamakura station. However, to reach the Great Buddha and Kotokuin Temple, take the local ’Enoden’ train to Hase station! The temple is then approximately a 7 minute walk from the station. The temple is only a three minute walk from Hase Dera Temple so it is highly recommend you combine both temples if you have time during your visit.

Kotokuin is a Buddhist temple founded in 1243 when the Great Buddha was first built. It used to be a wooden statue, but it was badly damaged in a storm in 1248. The new statue we see today was built in 1252, and was rebuilt made of Bronze. The Great Buddha used to be contained within a great hall which was also destroyed in the 15th Century by a great tsunami, and has since 1498 has stood in the open. The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 destroyed the base the statue sits upon, but was repaired in 1925. 

The Great Buddha stands at 13m high, and is an impressive sight as you first turn the corner to see him peering out at you! At one time, the Great Buddha was gilded with beautiful gold leaf. There are still some traces of gold around the ears today, but they are not visible to the human eye. It is a highly sacred space and it is a designated national treasure of Japan.

To enter the temple, visitors have to pay 300 yen per person. For an additional 50 yen per person, you can go inside the Great Buddha to marvel at the size and craftsmanship! It is highly recommended as it gives you a greater sense of scale and appreciation for the Buddha. Be warned, you can only spend a minute or two inside as it gets very warm inside, and in Summer it is terribly hot. The temple grounds also has souvenir shops, a temple shop and toilets. There is also seating round the Buddha where visitors can rest and enjoy a moment of peace as they look at the impressive sight before them.

Want to Experience the Beauty of Kamakura for Yourself?

1 Day Tour

1 Day Trip to Kamakura and Enoshima : Shrines, Seaside, Temples and Tea
Period	All Year Round
Time	08:00 – 19:10
Meeting Place	Outside of Shinjuku Station South Gate Baskin Robbins
Adult Rate	¥19,800
Child Rate	¥13,000