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.
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Hasedera’s most revered artifact is its 11-headed statue of Kannon. This relic stands at an impressive 9.18 meters tall and is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan. It is decorated with gold leaf and is located in Kannon-do Hall. (Photography is prohibited).
Kannon-do Hall is the main building of the temple complex and, aside from housing the 11-headed statue of Kannon, is a remarkable display of traditional Japanese architecture. West of the hall is an observation that offers stunning views of Kamakura.
Located directly to the left of Kannon-do Hall, Kannon Museum exhibits temple treasures and information about Kannon. Admission to the museum costs 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children.
Located on the right side of the main hall, Amida-do Hall contains a nearly three-meter-tall, golden statue of Amida Buddha and Japan’s largest mokugyo (a wooden drum played during Buddhist chants) at 105 centimeters wide.
Jizo-do Hall is a small temple structure dedicated to Jizo, the Buddhist deity who protects children, and is surrounded by hundreds of small Jizo statues. You can reach the statue from the lower level of the complex by following a staircase up the hillside.
Hasedera Temple is a five-minute walk from Hase Station, on the Enoden train line between Fujisawa and Kamakura.
At Hase Temple, you can take the opportunity to trace a picture of a Buddhist statue, or write Buddhist chants in Chinese kanji characters, while sitting on a tatami mat.
Close to Tokyo in Japan's Kanagawa prefecture, Kamakura's Hase-dera temple is known for its summer hydrangeas, and is also home to one of the largest wooden scultures in Japan, a gilded nine-meter statue of a Buddhist deity.
Hasedera Temple, Kamakura: Here, you can see various types of stone statues, a small cave to explore, and a path commanding a nice sea view.
Hase-dera Temple should be high on your list if you plan to visit Kamakura. Located very close to the ocean, it features a nice view over the local bay area.
This is an account of a short trip to Hasedera of Kamukara in the summer. Among other things, the traveler discovers Kakigara Inari Shrine in the temple grounds.
From mid-June to July, there are as many as 25 variations of hydrangeas located at beautiful Hase-dera (長谷寺) Temple in Kamakura. Follow the hydrangea path called "Prospect Road" to admire the flowers and soak in the wonderful views of the City of Kamakura and Sagami Bay.
Though it can be a little chilly, winter is an excellent season to visit Hasedera Temple in Kamakura.
Benten-kutsu Cave and Benten-do Hall are located in Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura. The entrance to the cave itself is easy to overlook, but the inside is well worth a visit.
A brief survey of one of Kamakura's most endearing temples, founded from a log washed up on a beach thirteen hundred years ago.
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.
Enoshima's Iwamoto-ro is a Japanese ryokan inn situated on the right side of the main street, facing west. All of the rooms face the sea, and therefore Mt. Fuji as well.
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 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.
Kotoku-in is the more common name for Taiizan Kotoku-in Shojosen-ji in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. This Jodo-shu Buddhist temple is known for its Daibutsu, or great Buddha, which is one of the most famous icons of Japan. The statue, commonly known as the Kamakura Daibutsu (Big Buddha of Kamakura), is a colossal copper image of the Amitabha Buddha. The Buddha, which was declared a national treasure by the Japanese government, is about 11.3 meters high and weighs about 121 tons. The Kotoku-in belongs to the Jodo sect, a traditional Buddhist sect founded by the priest Honen (1133-1212) who was a follower of Amitabha. According to the Jodo sect's belief system, all people are equal and one only has to sing the "Nenbutsu" to receive the protection of Amitabha and to be reborn in one's "pure land".
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]
