Kamakura

Kotokuin temple is famous for its Great Buddha also known as Kamakura Daibutsu. The Great Buddha is a bronze statue 11.3m high, weighing 121 tons, and was built in the 13th century.

A restoration project for the preservation of the Daibutsu will commence on 13th January and end on 10th March 2016. During this period the site will be closed to visitors

Access

7min walk from Hase station on Enoshima railways

Opening hours

April - September 08.00~17.30, October - March: 08:00~17.00
To enter the interior of the Great Buddha statue 8.00 ~ 16.30

Admission

200 yen + 20 yen for entering the statue’s interior

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine was established by Minamotono Yoriyoshi in 1063 and moved to the current site and extended by Minamotono Yoritomo, the first shogun of Kamakura shogunate. The shrine played an important role during this time and lent a certain religious authority. The Shogunate held many majestic rituals there and it also served as an administrative and political centre.

Address

2-1-31, Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005

Access

10min walk from Kamakura station on JR or Enoshima railways

Opening hours

April – September: 5am – 8.30pm (gate closes at 9pm)
October – March: 6am – 8.30pm (gate closes at 9pm)
1st – 3rd January: Open 24 hours

Hokokuji temple is a small Zen temple established in 1334 by Tengan Eko to commemorate Ashikaga Tetoki, grandfather of Ahikaga Takauji who was the first shogun of the Ashikaga clan. The temple flourished as the family temple of both the Ashikaga and Uesugi clans. Hokokuji temple is famous for its beautiful small bamboo grove behind the main hall.

Address

2-7−4, Jomyo-ji, Kamakura-city, Kanagawa 248-0003

Access

7min by taxi from JR Kamakura station or 12min by bus

Opening hours

9.00~16.00

Closed

29th December ~ 3rd January

Admission

200 yen

Meigetsu-in, also known as Ajisai (Hydrangea) temple is a Zen temple founded in 1383. From mid to the end of June, thousands of Hydrangeas, which cover the grounds of the temple, are in full bloom. It is also famous for it’s a dry landscape garden and the round windows of the main temple buildings.

Address

189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa 247-0062

Access

10min walk from JR Kita-kamakura station

Opening hours

9.00~16.00 (8.30~17.00 in June)

Admission

300yen (500yen in June)

Hase Dera is famous for its statue of the 11 headed Kannon (the goddess of mercy). This 9.18m tall statue is one of the largest wooden Buddha statues in Japan.

Address

3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016

Access

5min walk from Hase station on Enoshima railways

Opening hours

8.00 ~ 17.00 (close at 16.30 from Oct to Feb)

Admission

300 yen