The Great Buddha and Kotokuin, Kamakura
The Daibutsu. Photo by Megan Walton.
Photo by Greg Moore.
Photo by adlaw.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura at dusk. Photo by Charlton Barreto.
Detail of the Daibutu's meditation mudra. Photo by Markii.
A look inside the Daibutsu. Photo by Brad Douglas.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu in Japanese) is a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha in the city of Kamakura, Japan. Seated serenely in the grounds of Kotokuin, a Buddhist temple of the Pure Land sect, the Great Buddha is one of the icons of Japan.
At 13.35 meters high and weighing 93 tons, the Daibutsu is the second largest monumental Buddha in Japan (after the one at Todaiji in Nara) and to many, the most impressive.
The Diabutsu was cast in 1252 in the Kamakura period and was originally housed inside a temple as in Nara. But a huge tsunami washed away the wooden structure sometime in the late 15th century, and the statue has sat under sun, snow, and stars ever since.
The Great Buddha is seated in the lotus position with his hands forming the Dhyani Mudra, the gesture of meditation. With a serene expression and a backdrop of wooded hills, the Daibutsu is a truly spectacular sight.
The Daibutsu depicts Amida Buddha, who is the focus of Pure Land Buddhism. Originating in China, this sect gained prominence in Japan in the 12th century and remains very popular today. The central teaching is that through devotion to Amida Buddha, expressed through mantras and sincerity of heart, one will go to the Pure Land or "Western Paradise" after death — a pleasant realm from which it is easy to attain nirvana.
Getting There
The Great Buddha is a 5-minute walk from the Enoden Railway (a streetcar-like train) Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station.
| Names: | Kotokuin Temple, 高徳院, Great Buddha of Kamakura, Daibutsu |
| Type of site: | Buddhist temple |
| Faith: | Pure Land Mahayana Buddhism |
| Location: | Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan |
| Coordinates: | 35°19' N, 139°32' E (90 ft elevation) |
| Phone: | 0467/22-0703 |
| Hours: | Daily 7am to 6pm (5:30pm in winter) |
| Cost: | ¥200 for adults, ¥150 for children (your entry ticket is a souvenir bookmark), an extra ¥20 to go inside the statue. |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Great Buddha at Kotokuin. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Kamakura Map or get our free Google Earth download.
- Beth Reiber, Frommer's Tokyo, 8th ed.
- Great Buddha - Japan-Guide.com
More Information
- Kamakura Tourism - TripAdvisor
- Pure Land Buddhism - ReligionFacts
- Buddhist Mudras - ReligionFacts
