The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in

Kōtoku-in Temple [鎌倉大仏殿高徳院]

Location: in Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan

There is "The Great Buddha of Kamakura".
The height of Daibutsu, including platform is 13.35m (43.8ft).
The weight of Great Buddha is 121 tonnes(267,000 pounds).
It is one of the National Treasures of Japan.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

  [Japanese: 鎌倉大仏; Kamakura-Daibutsu] is 

an Amida Buddha/ Amitābha Buddha 

[Japanese: 阿弥陀如来; amidanyorai].
It is a National Tresures of Japan.

 

As soon as we entered the entrance of Kotoku-in [Japanese: 高徳院],

we could see the big sitting Daibutsu.

We could see the rear side of the Great Buddha.
On the back of Great Buddha, there were open windows.
 

We can enter inside the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

 

Episode of the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in temple

Tomo&Chouchou went to Kōtoku-in (高徳院) located in Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa pref. to see big "Great Buddha" (大仏, Daibutsu).
As soon as we entered the entrance of Kotoku-in temple, we could see the big sitting Daibutsu. The Buddhas that Tomo&Chouchou had ever seen were always in the building. However the Great Buddha of Kamakura were outside building. So we were very surprised to see outdoor Boddha.

We could look around 360 degree view of the Great Buddha. It was also the first time for us to see close from various angles. When we saw the rear side of the Great Buddha, there were open windows on the back of Great Buddha. It was a big surprise! We could also enter inside the Great Buddha of Kamakura. We could understsnd how Daibutsu was made. We were more impressed after knowing how the ancient people made the Great Buddha.

Tomo&Chouchou were so happy to approach the Great Buddha. We don't know why, but we felt the Great Buddha of Kamakura was friendly. Maybe because we could approach a lot. Normally, it's not so easy to approach to the Great Buddha.
It's rare to enter inside too. We could have a special experience with the Great Buddha of Kamakura.



information

Address 4-2-28, Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
[ 〒248－0016 神奈川県鎌倉市長谷４丁目２番28号 ]

Admission fee:  Adult  200 yen, child (age 6-12) 150yen

Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 (Apr.-Sep.), 8:00-17:00(Oct.-Mar.)
Entering the interior of the Great Buddha statue [大仏体内拝観時間]: 8:00-16:30
 

Access
by Train: 7 min. walk from Hase station [長谷駅] of Enoshima Electric Railway [江ノ島電鉄/ 江ノ電]

by Bus: 10 min by bus from Kamakura station [鎌倉駅] of Enoshima-dentetsu bus [江ノ島電鉄バス] or Keikyu bus [京急急行バス] . Get off at "Daibutsu-mae [大仏前]" stop. Kotoku-in is just in front of bus stop.

Bus stop of Kamakura st. of Enoshima-dentetsu Bus: bus terminal no.1 in the East Exit of Kamakura station
Bus stop of Kamakura st. of Keikyu Bus: bus terminal no.6 in the East Exit of Kamakura station




Relating articles

* Hase-dera temple in Kamakura

* Hydrangeas in Hase temple in Kamakura

Hase-dera temple in Kamakura, Japan

Hase Temple [長谷寺; Hase-dera]
Official name:  Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera [海光山慈照院長谷寺].
It is also called Hase-kannon [長谷観音]
Located in Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
It is famous for Hydrangeas.

There was a big paper lantern written as "Hase-dera" 

at the main gate [Japanese: 山門] of Hase-dera temple.
 

 

↓

When we entered the main gate, 

we could see the Japanese garden.

We also found the Fureai Kannon 

(=touchable Goddess of Mercy)

[Japanese: ふれ愛観音].
 

 

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We started to go up the hill.

↓ 

We found the Nagomi Jizo [Japanese: 和み地蔵; Nagomi Jizō].
(※Jizo is a stone statue and a guardian deity of children.)
This Nagomi Jizo eases our mind and gives a good match to us.
 

 

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We kept going forward.

↓

We arrived at Jizo-dou hall [Japanese: 地蔵堂].
In front of Jizo-dou hall, there were many Jizos.

 

 

↓

We went up more.

↓

 

We finally arrived at main hall called Kannon-do hall 

[Japanese: 観音堂].

There is a 11-head Kanzeon Bosatsu known as Hase-Kannon [Japanese: 十一面観世音菩薩像/ 長谷観音] in Kannon-do hall.

There is Daikoku-dou hall /Daikokuten 

[Japanese: 大黒堂/ 大黒天] beside Kannon-do hall.

Daikokuten is the one of the Seven Gods of Fortune / Seven Lucky Gods [Japanese: 七福神; Shichifukujin].
Daikokuten is the god of wealth, commerce and trade.

the footprint of the Buddha 

[Japanese: 仏足石; Bussokuseki] in Hase-dera.
It seems to heal people who have problem in the legs. 

 

Episode of Hase-dera

Tomo&Chouchou went to the Hase-dera [長谷寺, Hase temple, officially Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera] in Kamakura, Kanagawa pref. because we wanted to see
Hydrangeas.

At the main gate of Hase-dera temple, there was a big paper lantern written as "Hase-dera". It was impressive. We took a photo in front of the paper lantern.
When we entered the main gate, we could see the beautiful Japanese garden.
We also found the Fureai Kannon (=touchable Goddess of Mercy). Tomo touched several parts of Kannon while praying to be cured.
Then we started to go up the hill and we found very adorable Jizō. Jizo faces look very kind and friendly. Jizos really eased our mind quickly. We really liked this Nagomi Jizo. Nagomi Jizo is Good much Jizo [良縁地蔵], so we prayed for it.

We kept going and then we arrived at Jizo-dou hall [地蔵堂]. In front of Jizo-dou hall, there were many Jizos. This place was very spiritual.

After keep going up, we finally arrived at main hall called "Kannon-do hall".
In Kannon-do hall, there was a 11-head Kanzeon Bosatsu known as Hase-Kannon. It was worth to see it.
Beside Kannon-do hall, there was Daikoku-dou hall [Daikokuten].
Daikokuten of Hase-dera is the one of the Seven Gods of Fortune[Seven Lucky Gods] in Enoshima, Kamakura [鎌倉江ノ島七福神]. It is believed Daikokuten god gives us better luck and success. We prayed for that.

It was the first time for Tomo&Chouchou to see the footprint of the Buddha.
It seems to heal people who have problem in the legs. Tomo prayed not to have more serious problem in legs.

There were many things to see such as Jizos, flowers and a garden in Hase-dera temple. We were really satisfied.




Relating articles

* Hydrangeas in Hase temple in Kamakura

* The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in

Hydrangeas in Hase temple in Kamakura, Japan

Hase Temple [Japanese: Hase-dera; 長谷寺, 
                      formally as Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera, 海光山慈照院長谷寺]
Location: in Kamakura city in Kanagawa prefecture [Japanese: 神奈川県鎌倉市]
Hydrangeas season: in June

The view from Hydrangea Path 

(Japanese: 紫陽花の道; Ajisai-no-michi).

Hydrangea path is to go up the hill little by little, 

and then go down by stairs.

There are several colors of hydrangeas

such as pink, white and purple.

Hydrangea Londo

Hydrangea Benigaku

Hydrangea Kurohime

we can see Sagami bay (Japanese: 相模湾) with hydrangeas

from the hill of Hase-dera. 

 

 

bamboo grovein Hase Temple

There are "jinrikisha"rickshaws around Hase-dera.

Old style of shop

Japanese souvenir shop

Tomo & Chouchou's advice for Hase-dera

There are many souvenir shops and good ice-cream shops near Hase-dera.
You had better take time to enjoy foods and shopping around Hase temple.


information
Hydrangea in Hase Temple

Hours of Operation
8:00am - 5:00pm (Mar. thru Sept.)
8:00am - 4:30pm (Oct. thru Feb.)
Open every day

Admission Fees
\300 (Adults, 12 and over)　\100 (Children)

Parking Fees
8:00am - 5:00pm (Mar. thru Sept.)
8:00am - 4:30pm (Oct. thru Feb.)
\300 per 30 min. (ordinary vehicle, standard size car)

Address: 3-11-2 Hase Kamakura-city, Kanagawa (Japanese: 神奈川県鎌倉市長谷)

Access
*Train:  5 min. on foot from Hase (長谷) station of Enoshima Electric Railway /Enoden (江ノ島電鉄/江ノ電)
*Bus:  3 min. on foot from "Hasekannon" (長谷観音) bus stop of Enoden bus (江ノ電バス) or Keihin Kyuko Bus (京浜急行バス).
  We can take Enoden bus or Keihin Kyuko Bus from Kamakura (鎌倉) or Ofuna (大船) train station.


Relating articles

* Hase-dera temple in Kamakura

* The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in