Daibutsu Hiking Trail, Kamakura

Enjoy nature while visiting several shrines and temples

Adeline Ong Jun 05, 2012 - 1 min read

This the beginning of one of the steep sections of the trail. It is a good work out but so rewarding when you get to the top!

This is Daibutsu Kiridoshi, one of the seven passes of Kamakura. This pass is supposed to lead to Musashi and Kyoto.

These series of red torii gates mark the entrance to Sasuke Inari Shrine. I did not count how many torii gates there were, but they follow the trail all the way to the shrine. Most of the wooden torii gates have been replaced by plastic ones, but you ca

This is the map of the hiking trail. The trail starts about 350 m from the Daibutsu via stairs that head up a hill or on the other end via the street next to Jochiji Temple.

These series of wooden torii gates on the other end of a tunnel carved into the hill mark the entrance to the Zeniarai Benzaiten Temple.

This is the cave entrance to the spring where you can wash your money in the spring water and pray for it to be multiplied when returned to you.

This torii gate and little shrines with little porcelain and stone foxes were located behind the main shrine. I love how all the little shrines were covered in moss and surrounded by foliage.

This is the entrance to the Jochiji Shrine. Jochiji Shrine is one of the five famous temples of Kamakura and is the location of one of the sacred wells.

This is at the Kuzuharaoka Shrine. There is purifying fountain with a dragon and a place to leave any unfavorable fortunes.

This is at the Kuzuharaoka Shrine. There is a little area where you can pay 100 yen for a ceramic plate which you can throw and break against a rock to chase away the negative and malignant forces in your life.

This is at the Jochiji Shrine at the end of the Daibutsu hiking trail. There are a few more shrines on the way from here to the Kita Kamakura train station.

At the Jochiji Shrine, there is a happiness Buddha set in a cave. You can rub his belly, finger, and ears for happiness and luck.

The Daibutsu Hiking Trail is a fun and active way to visit various shrines and temples in Kamakura if you want to avoid the busy city streets and crowds of tourists. The trail through the wooded hills of Kamakura can be accessed about 350m from Kotoku-in Temple (Daibutsu) on one end or at Jochi-ji Temple at the other end. The hike was well marked and cleared and was relatively easy with some sections that are a bit more steep and challenging. Some reviews say the hike can be completed in 60-90 minutes but can take longer if you are exploring.

Adeline Ong @adeline.ong

I am an Asian American currently living in Hayama, Japan, which is about a 2.5 hour drive south of Tokyo. I love traveling and seeing and experiencing new places, things, foods, and activities. I love taking pictures of everything.