The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a monumental bronze statue of Amida (Amitabha) Buddha on the grounds of Kotoku-in temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa, and is designated a National Treasure of Japan. Temple records date the casting to around 1252, and the hall that once sheltered it was destroyed by a tsunami in 1498, after which the Buddha has sat in the open air ever since. The statue is hollow, and for a small extra fee visitors can step inside to see how it was cast.
A colossal bronze figure roughly 11.3 m tall (about 13.35 m including the base) weighing around 93 tonnes
For a small additional fee you can enter the hollow interior and see the original casting seams and 13th-century construction technique
An open-air (rozo) Buddha with no surrounding hall, changing character with the light, weather, and seasons
The second-largest bronze Buddha in Japan, after the Great Buddha of Todai-ji in Nara
Framed by maple and ginkgo colors in late autumn (late Nov–mid Dec) and cherry blossoms in spring
Good to know
RulesAdmission (grounds and interior) is typically cash-only in yen, so carry small change. Confirm current fees and hours on the official site before you go.
RulesInterior (tainai) viewing closes earlier than the temple grounds (around 4:30 p.m.), so a late arrival may miss entry inside. Check the latest times first.
SafetyThe interior is narrow, dark, with steep steps and little ventilation, so it gets very hot in summer. Skip it if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia.
MannersThis is an active Buddhist temple and object of worship: keep noise down and do not climb on or hang from the statue. Commercial photography requires prior permission.
RulesSmoking is prohibited anywhere on the grounds, and drones and selfie sticks are not allowed inside the statue.
SeasonWeekends, holidays, Golden Week, and cherry-blossom/autumn seasons are very crowded, as are the school- and tour-bus hours of roughly 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The 8:00–9:30 and after-16:00 windows are quieter.
Practical info
Take the Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) to Hase Station; the temple is about a 7-minute walk. From JR Kamakura Station, transfer to the Enoden. Early morning or just before closing is calmest and best for photos. Pairs well with a visit to nearby Hase-dera.
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