The serene, weathered Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is one of Japan’s most iconic sights — a colossal 13th-century bronze statue of Amida Buddha sitting peacefully in the open air at Kotoku-in temple. Once housed in a great hall that was washed away by a tsunami, the 11.3-metre figure has gazed over the seaside town for some 750 years. Together with the flower-filled Hase-dera temple nearby, it anchors a wonderful half-day in the historic former capital of Kamakura, an easy and rewarding day trip from Tokyo and Yokohama.
This guide covers the Great Buddha, going inside, Hase-dera, tickets, the best time and how to get there.
🗓️ Quick Reference
| Location | Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa |
| Hours | ~8:00–17:30 (varies seasonally) |
| Admission | ~¥300 (+¥50 to go inside) |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours (half day with Hase-dera) |
| Good for | History, temples, photography, day trips |
The Great Buddha
- A 11.3 m, ~120-tonne bronze Amida Buddha, cast in 1252 and sitting in the open since its hall was destroyed by storms and a 1498 tsunami.
- You can step inside the hollow statue (small extra fee) to see how it was cast.
- Calm and dignified, it’s wonderfully photogenic — try the classic head-on view from the courtyard.
Hase-dera & around
- Hase-dera: a short walk away, famous for its towering Kannon statue, hydrangea path, sea views and the tender Jizo statues — see it on the same ticketless stroll.
- Hase is a charming temple neighbourhood; the Daibutsu Hiking Trail climbs into the hills from here — see our Kamakura hiking guide .
Tickets & best time
- Admission ~¥300, plus a small fee to enter the statue.
- Early morning is quietest and best for photos; weekends and hydrangea season (June) are busy.
- Combine with central Kamakura’s Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and Komachi-dori shopping street.
Combine your visit
Kamakura packs in temples, beaches and food:
- Time it with the Kamakura Festival (yabusame archery) at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — see our Kamakura festival guide .
- Try Zen meditation (zazen) at a Kamakura temple — see our Kamakura zazen guide .
- Head to the coast for Enoshima and the Shonan beaches — see our Enoshima guide and Shonan guide .
How to get there
- JR to Kamakura Station (~1 hr from Tokyo on the Yokosuka Line), then the Enoden line to Hase Station + 7 min walk.
- Easy to combine with Yokohama and the Shonan coast.
