Great Buddha, Kamakura
The Daibutsu. Photo
Megan Walton.
Photo
Greg Moore.
Photo
adlaw.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura at dusk. Photo
Charlton Barreto.
Detail of the Daibutu's meditation mudra. Photo
David Teter.
A look inside the Daibutsu. Photo
Brad Douglas.
Garden at Kotokoin Temple. Photo
adlaw.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu in Japanese) is a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha in the city of Kamakura, Japan. Seated serenely in the grounds of Kotokuin, a Buddhist temple of the Pure Land sect, the Great Buddha is one of the icons of Japan.
At 13.35 meters high and weighing 93 tons, the Daibutsu is the second largest monumental Buddha in Japan (after the one at Todaiji in Nara) and to many, the most impressive.
The Diabutsu was cast in 1252 in the Kamakura period and was originally housed inside a temple, as in Nara. But a huge tsunami washed away the wooden structure sometime in the late 15th century, and the statue has sat out in nature ever since.
The Great Buddha is seated in the lotus position with his hands forming the Dhyani Mudra, the gesture of meditation. With a serene expression and a beautiful backdrop of wooded hills, the Daibutsu is a truly spectacular sight.
The Daibutsu is Amida Buddha, who is the focus of Pure Land Buddhism. Originating in China, this sect gained prominence in Japan in the 12th century and remains very popular today. The central teaching is that through devotion to Amida Buddha, expressed through mantras and sincerity of heart, one will go to the Pure Land or "Western Paradise" after death - a pleasant realm from which it is easy to attain nirvana.
Getting There
The Great Buddha is a 5-minute walk from the Enoden Railway (a streetcar-like train) Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Great Buddha; Daibutsu; Kotokuin |
| Dedicated to: | Amida |
| Location: | Kamakura, Kanto, Japan |
| Category: | Buddhist Temples |
| Faith: | Buddhism |
| Denomination: | Pure Land |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1252 |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 35.316697° N, 139.53568° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Phone: | 0467/22-0703 |
| Hours: | 7am-6pm (5:30pm in winter) |
| Cost: | ¥200 for adults, ¥150 for children extra ¥20 to go inside the statue |
| Photography: | Permitted |
Travel Resources for Kamakura
- Kamakura Map - our detailed interactive map of Kamakura, plus hand-picked links to more
- Kamakura Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Kamakura
- Kamakura Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Kamakura Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Kamakura
- Kamakura Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Kamakura Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Kamakura tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Great Buddha. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Kamakura Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Beth Reiber, Frommer's Tokyo, 8th ed.
- Great Buddha - Japan-Guide.com
More Information
- Kamakura Tourism - TripAdvisor
- Pure Land Buddhism - ReligionFacts
- Buddhist Mudras - ReligionFacts
Article last updated: 10/04/2009.
