The Great Buddha of Kamakura (qå§, Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 11.4 meters, it has long been the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple and some recent creations.
The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tsunami in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since the late 15th century, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.
Getting there and around
The Great Buddha is located a 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura along the Enoden railway line. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its terminal station in Kamakura is located just next to JR Kamakura Station.
How to get to and around Kamakura
Hours and Fees
Hours
8:00 to 17:30 (until 17:00 from October to March)
Closed
No closing days
Admission
300 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Kamakura
Top rated in Kamakura
Budget:
Luxury
Located within 20 km of Sankeien and 21 km of Yokohama Marine Tower, Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura provides rooms in Kamakura. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site.Guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Every room comes with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with city views. At the hotel each room has bed linen and towels.Guests at Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura can enjoy a buffet breakfast.Around the clock assistance is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese.Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 40 km away.
9.2Booking.com
Budget-friendly
Situated within 600 metres of Yuigahama Beach and 1.2 km of Zaimokuza Beach, CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kamakura. This 2-star guest house offers full-day security and luggage storage space. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km away and Nissan Stadium is 31 km from the guest house.Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also boast free WiFi. At the guest house, each unit includes bed linen and towels.Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from the guest house, while Sankeien is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED.
9.2Booking.com
Guest House Kamejikan -turtle time-
Budget-friendly
Just 250 metres from Zaimokuza Beach, Guest House Kamejikan -turtle time- is 1.5 km from JR Kamakura Train Station. It offers simple non-smoking Japanese rooms and dormitory-style accommodation with free WiFi and shared showers.Guests at Kamejikan Guest House can sleep in a bunk bed in a dormitory room, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. All rooms are air-conditioned. Toilets are shared.Built 92 years ago as a family residence, Kamejikan is about 2 km from both the Kamakura Daibutsu Buddha Statue and Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine. Bicycle rental is offered.A shared-use fridge, free-use PC and free coffee/tea are available at the lounge, and a coin launderette is available. The shared showers are open 24/7. Bodyboards and yukata robes can be rented.Breakfast can be served with an advance reservation.
8.9Booking.com
Mid-range
Located 400 metres from Yuigahama Beach, BIRD HOTEL offers 3-star accommodation in Kamakura and features a garden, a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a sun terrace, this property is situated near attractions such as Zaimokuza Beach. Free WiFi and room service are provided.Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Each room is fitted with air conditioning, a desk and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at BIRD HOTEL have a balcony. At the accommodation all rooms have bed linen and towels.An ? la carte, continental or American breakfast is available daily at the property.Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from BIRD HOTEL, while Sankeien is 22 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 42 km from the property.
8.9Booking.com
Budget-friendly
Located in Kamakura, just 300 metres from Yuigahama Beach, Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji provides beachfront accommodation with a garden, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The 2-star guest house features garden views and is 1.4 km from Zaimokuza Beach. The guest house has facilities for disabled guests.Certain units in the guest house have private entrance and are equipped with desk and dressing room. Units are complete with a shared bathroom, while some units at the guest house also offer a seating area. At the guest house, some units are soundproof.Guests at the guest house can make the most of yoga classes offered on-site. Guests at Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kamakura, like cycling and hiking.Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Sankeien is 23 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 43 km from Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji.
8.8Booking.com
Luxury
Kamakura seizan features a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Kamakura. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.5 km from Yuigahama Beach.All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle.Guests at kamakura seizan can enjoy an ? la carte breakfast.Zaimokuza Beach is 1.6 km from the accommodation, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 1.2 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 40 km from the property.
8.7Booking.com
Mid-range
Set within 21 km of Sankeien and 22 km of Yokohama Marine Tower, Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura offers rooms in Kamakura. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels.Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American or an Asian breakfast.At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub.Non-stop assistance is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese.Popular points of interest near the hotel include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 41 km from the property.
8.5Booking.com
Budget-friendly
Situated in Kamakura, 600 metres from Yuigahama Beach and 1.3 km from Zaimokuza Beach, guesthouse SHIBAFU features accommodation with air conditioning and access to a garden. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km away and Nissan Stadium is 32 km from the guest house.Units have a kettle, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, while some rooms also boast a terrace and some have garden views. At the guest house, each unit has bed linen and towels.A modern restaurant, coffee shop and bar can be found on-site.Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from the guest house, while Sankeien is 22 km from the property. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 42 km away.
8.5Booking.com
Luxury
WeBase Kamakura is a resort hotel and restaurant in the ancient capital of Kamakura, one minute from the Shonan sea and one hour from the city.WeBase Kamakura is a 3 minutes walk from Yuigahama Station and there are many tourist attractions within walking distance, such as the Kamakura Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and Kamakura Komachi Street.There are 8 sophisticated guest room types with high ceilings and a total of 22 guest rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available. We offer a breakfast course that includes sparkling wine, a choice of two types of galettes, a salad with plenty of Kamakura vegetables, amuse-bouche, and soup.Enjoy a luxurious breakfast that starts with sparkling wine and freshly baked galette, grilled right in front of you.There is a large communal bath with a sauna which offers a self Loyly style sauna.At our on-site restaurant, "Restaurant Co," we provide a fusion of teppanyaki and Italian cuisine that allows you to enjoy the seasonal flavors of local Kamakura with all your senses. Savor modern Italian cuisine incorporating teppanyaki techniques, along with wine pairings. There is also a kids' menu for children of elementary school age and younger.
8.5Booking.com
Budget-friendly
Providing free WiFi, Kiyaza Kamakura Resort is situated in Kamakura, 2.3 km from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and 1.7 km from Hasedera Temple. Among the various facilities are a garden, a terrace, as well as a bar.Great Buddha is 2.1 km from the guest house, while Zeniarai Benzaiten is 2.6 km away. Tokyo Haneda International Airport is 55 km from the property.
8.4Booking.com
