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'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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
The great Daibutsu of Kamakura is one of the greatest, most popular and most beloved statues in Japan, and indeed, of all the world.
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In this second article, we’ll look at some of the unique physical features of Kamakura Daibutsu and what they mean.
Are you planning to visit Kamakura as a side trip from Tokyo? If so, it must mean that you will visit the Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha. The exterior of the enormous Buddha statue is of course, the most impressive part of the site, but what not many people know is that you can actually enter the statue to visit the interior for a very small price.
Knowing how Daibutsu was made (in the mid 13th century) is quite interesting and will help you appreciate your visit there much more.
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Discover Japan as never before as we provide an experience of adventure and relaxation in one of Japan's most traditional areas, the ancient capital city of Kamakura. A coastal town that transpires history and tradition, Kamakura is beloved by tourists and locals alike! Our guides will take us on a tour of roller coasters and rickshaws and show temples and observatories along the way. Traverse the streets in traditional kimono and ride the rickshaw with us through hidden streets and seaside parks. View another side of Kanagawa from the comfort of your home. Attendees are welcome to participate in the tour through a live chat session with our guides to help answer questions along the way! Virtual event: https://youtu.be/K2bz2en85Mc Live and available from January 22nd, 1:00 PM Tour Itinerary (Schedule subject to change) 13:00 – Roller coaster Introduction 13:10 – Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine 13:20 – Kimono Rental Shop 13:30 – Great Buddha and Ocean views 13:40 – Enoden Train and Cafe Luonto 13:50 – Closing / Question and Answer [photo id='228253'] Meet your guides Luca De Pasquale Luca was born to travel and has visited more than 50 countries and 40 prefectures around Japan. Living in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Luca has a deep love and respect for Japanese culture and language. Anna Yoshida Anna was born and brought up in Niigata prefecture and has lived in Australia and China before moving to Tokyo 3 years ago. She loves to travel around Japan and the world and has a deep love for Japanese culture especially Japanese festivals and sake. About Kanagawa Kanagawa Prefecture offers a collection of unique and authentic experiences, most within an hour from Tokyo, that will make your holiday to Japan truly memorable. From the mountainous hot springs of Hakone to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, to the nightlife of Yokohama's Minato Mirai area – a day trip to Kanagawa promises something for everyone. Website: https://trip.pref.kanagawa.jp/ [photo id='228252']
The author takes a look at the Great Buddha in its historical and cultural context to give you a deeper appreciation of this greatly revered icon of Japanese culture.
An atmospheric temple dedicated to the fox, messenger of the gods, Sasuke Inari Jinja is nestled in the hills of the Hidden Valley.
Established on the premise of a dream by the shogun to bring peace and prosperity to the land, Zeniarai Benten offers visitors the opportunity to wash their money in the shrine's magical spring water and, hopefully, make it multiply.
Taisen-kaku is a 100-year-old inn just seconds away from Hase Kanon Temple. The service they provide will leave you with a memorable experience of your time in Kamakura.
Kishi-ke is traditional, yet modern, Japanese-style inn that aims to connect guests with the present and help them achieve inner harmony through its peaceful design and cultural experiences.
Fujisawa is located close to such popular tourist destinations as Enoshima and makura. A traveler can get everything necessary for a comfortable rest in a room.
Using animal-free products, brown rice, and locally sourced fresh vegetables, Ki to Toki creates masterful vegetarian meals that are not only delicious but a pleasure to look at. Try their set of 17 different dishes and fermented drinks with dessert and herbal tea or coffee after the meal.
Discover the taste that Kamakura locals are in love with. New German's fluffy custard-filled sponge cakes are a dessert that is sure to impress. The caramel custard flavor is especially popular with visitors.
Taste Aratama's famous fried pork cutlet and fall in love with the fresh flavors. Tonkatsu isn't all that's on the menu. Be sure to try Aratama's other dishes like mozzarella menchi katsu and cream croquette.
Kamakura’s Hasedera Temple, a sister temple to Nara’s temple of the same name, is renowned for its 11-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. This Jodo-sect Buddhist temple is one of the oldest temples in the city and has roots in the eighth century. Legend has it that the monk Tokudo Shonin requested two Kannon statues to be made from a camphor tree in 721. The smaller statue was enshrined at Nara’s temple, while the other one was thrown into the sea as an offering. In 736, the statue washed ashore in Kamakura, and Hasedera was built to enshrine it. Hasedera’s grounds feature a harmonious display of traditionally designed temple buildings interwoven with lush nature and seasonal flowers, making for a peaceful stroll. Thanks to its elevated position, it also offers wonderful views of Kamakura’s townscape and Sagami Bay. The temple’s artfully crafted nature is on full display when you first enter the grounds. The welcoming garden features a pond encircled by plants, the small Benten-do Hall, dedicated to the goddess of music and wisdom, and Benten-kutsu Cave, which contains carved statues of deistic Buddhist figures. If you are hungry, refuel at the temple’s Teraya Cafe, located just before the entrance, or Kaikoan, which is built at an elevated level and boasts large windows with fantastic views of the area. Admission to the temple costs 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children (ages 6 to 11). Parking costs 350 yen for 30 minutes.
Sasuke Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kamakura and the site of the Hidden Village of Kamakura. It is located very near the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine. [Wikipedia]
Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine, popularly known simply as Zeniarai Benten, is a Shinto shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. In spite of its small size, it is the second most popular spot in Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture after Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū. [Wikipedia]