Culture
Meeting the Kamakura Daibutsu
Tomoko KamishimaThe great Daibutsu of Kamakura is one of the greatest, most popular and most beloved statues in Japan, and indeed, of all the world...
Kamakura Daibutsu
Kamakura's Daibutsu is a beautiful bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha that was erected in the Kotoku-in Temple in the middle of the 13th century (750 years ago). With a height of 11.3 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan that only is surpassed by the statue in Nara Todaiji Temple.
The Buddha has been meditating in the open air for about 500 years after the temple hall in which it was originally housed was destroyed several times by tsunamis and typhoons.
When you visit, you might see him drenched in the rain, sweating under the blazing sun, or just enjoying the warm spring sunshine. Kamakura's daibutsu has been kept intact without major restorations since it was built.
Overview
Address
4-2-28, Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture (Map) (Directions)Hours
8:00 - 17:00 Closed nowOpening Hours
Monday
8:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
8:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
8:00 - 17:00
Thursday
8:00 - 17:00
Friday
8:00 - 17:00
Saturday
8:00 - 17:00
Sunday
8:00 - 17:00
Holidays
8:00 - 17:00
Phone Number
0467-22-0703Website
Highlights
Gilded
See the fleck of gold leaf on the Daibutsu’s right cheek? The original Daibutsu was entirely covered in gold. Kamakura’s Daibutsu was made of bronze (68.7% copper, 9.3% tin, 19.6% lead) and so it was impossible to plate using the techniques of the era. Instead, they attached gold leaves directly to the body.
Kotoku-in
The length between the inner and outer corner of the eye is about one meter. The ears are 1.95 meters tall. This impressive statue is 13.35 meters tall and weighs 121 tons. It was created step by step, in more than ten incremental pouring, starting from the bottom and moving up to the head. You can even see the linear borders of each pouring.
Kotoku-in
You might notice the several stones scattered around the statue. The surface of these stones is flat. They are thought to have been the foundation stones of the building that once housed Daibutsu. That building was destroyed and rebuilt before they finally decided to leave Daibutsu outside under the moon and the sun. At one time, there were thirty-two bronze lotus petals at the base of the statue, but today only four remain, and they are no longer in place.
Structure in Kamakura Daibutsu
From 8 am to 4:30 pm, venture inside the Daibutsu for only 20 yen. Simply drop your coins in the box at the Diabutsu's back entrance. Marvel at the inner ringers of the Daibutsu and see how it was cast, layer by layer. Visit your own tranquility within this solemn interior.
General Amenities
- Information Counter
- Free guides/pamphlets
Access
You can reach Daibustu in three ways, by the Enoden (tram), by bus, and by foot. If you choose the Eno-den, please get off at Hase Station. After passing through the ticket gate, turn right and walk for 7 minutes. If you take a bus, the bus will leave from an East gate terminal (#1 or #6). Pay when you get off at the front of the bus. The fare will be 190 yen. Get off at the “Daibutsu-mae” stop, the one after Hase Kannon. This bus stop is a bit tricky. After you get off the bus, walk back in the direction your bus just came from, and cross the street at the signal. The entrance to Daibutsu is on the left. If you get there in the afternoon, you’ll be fine—just follow the crowds. But if you are an early bird, and no one is there in the morning, it might be confusing. Finally, if you follow a map, walking to Daibutsu is quite easy. You can enjoy a nice stroll. The back streets of Kamakura are beautiful!
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