Kotoku-in

Buddhist temple · Kamakura-shi

Kotoku-in

Buddhist temple · Kamakura-shi

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4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

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Highlights

Nestled in Kamakura, this serene temple features a colossal outdoor bronze Buddha statue that exudes calm, drawing both tourists and locals alike.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan Get directions

kotoku-in.jp

Information

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4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan Get directions

+81 467 22 0703
kotoku-in.jp

Features

gender neutral restroom
restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jul 26, 2025

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5 Best Day Trips from Tokyo | Condé Nast Traveler

"The draw here is the big Buddha (outdone only by the one in Nara). It's really big! And it's rare to see one of these outdoors (its temple was destroyed by a tsunami in 1492.) It's hollow, and you can go inside to see how it's made. Lots of visitors and street vendors outside make this more a tourist site than a spiritual one. Still, the Buddha is awesome in the true sense of the word." - Brandon Presser

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-day-trips-from-tokyo
View Postcard for Kotoku-in

Monkey Gee (AsiaRoadTrek)

Google
**Great Buddha Review** I’ve seen a lot of Great Buddhas, but this one is one of my favorites. It has a strong presence that brings a real sense of happiness and calm. It’s not the biggest Buddha I’ve seen, but something about it just feels peaceful and welcoming. The grounds are well-kept, with beautiful decorative trees** that add to the atmosphere. It wasn’t overwhelming with people, but there was a decent crowd, giving it a nice energy. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit and highly recommend checking it out. **Rating: 5/5 – A must-see.**

David Zaw

Google
I have visited Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura) more than ten times, and each visit has been a truly enriching experience. Whenever I travel to Japan, I make sure to stop by this iconic site, taking the train from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station. From there, I either walk for about 30 minutes, enjoying the charming local scenery, or take a bus for a quicker trip. My last visit to there was on November 8th, 2024. The admission fee is quite affordable—just 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children. If you want to step inside the statue and admire its hollow interior, there’s a small additional fee of 50 yen. The Great Buddha itself is a breathtaking sight, standing tall in serene beauty, rich with history and cultural significance. No matter how many times I visit, I always find a sense of peace and admiration in its presence. For those looking to take home a souvenir, I highly recommend purchasing a small Kamakura Buddha statue at the temple grounds, which costs 500 yen. Interestingly, buying the same item outside the temple area can cost up to 1,000 yen! After visiting Kamakura Daibutsu, I often enjoy walking back to Kamakura Station, taking in the sights of traditional Japanese houses, charming local shops, and cozy restaurants along the way. A stroll through Komachi Street is a must, where you can indulge in delicious local street snacks and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Kamakura. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, Kamakura Daibutsu is a place that never loses its charm. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and tranquility—definitely a must-visit when in Japan!

Andrew Lam

Google
We traveled ~90 minutes from Tokyo to visit largest statue of Buddha. I was surprised by how small and enclosed area was - it contains the main statue and a small garden on the side for the restroom. There is an additional fee to visit the inside of the statue. There were signs indicating how hot it could be, but it was a cool weather and it did not overheat. Nonetheless, the place is quite popular and filled with people.

CZ On line

Google
This is a place of true tranquility, where visitors can experience both the grandeur of the site and a deep sense of inner peace. It offers a glimpse into the remarkable craftsmanship of the past, showcasing centuries-old history and advanced techniques used to create world-class masterpieces. If you find yourself in Kamakura, this is an unmissable destination—serene, pristine, and awe-inspiring in its magnificence.

Jason Davies

Google
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) is a must see standing tall and serene. While the area can get busy with tourists, the experience is still worthwhile. The entrance fee of ¥200, is a small price and if you would like to see inside it's an extra ¥50 at a separate booth near the temple. There are many small shops nearby where you can purchase souvenirs related to the temple.

Sheng Xian Seah

Google
A great Buddha located in a peaceful town less than 1.5 hours from Tokyo. Love the peaceful vibe and calm. There are lots of souvenir, snack and food shops around. Crowd is definitely much more manageable as compared to other attractions in Tokyo. Recommended for visit, requires a small fee to enter.

Vignesh M

Google
One of the major attractions in Kamakura. Entry fee of 300 yen seemed very reasonable. It's just a giant Buddha statue and not much else. Be wary of the weather as there is not much shade or shelter. Carrying an umbrella might be useful depending on weather. They also have a souvenir shop which was very interesting. This can be covered pretty quickly.

A M

Google
Very great experience from start to end. The sensation upon entering the temple is unexpected. Vibes among attendees increase the whole experience. Impressing this was built more than 750 years ago. A must do while being in Japan.
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Ashley F.

Yelp
Nestled in the mountains of Kamakura, Kotoku-in houses one of the largest Buddha statue in Japan. You can also enter the statue for a small fee. The actual temple grounds are much smaller than others in the area, therefore does not take longer than 30 minutes to explore the site. Iconic and a landmark of Kamakura, it is a must visit for those who have not visited before. Expect lots of tourists along with locals visiting this temple!
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Norman R.

Yelp
One of the historical tourist sites in the area is the Kotoku-in Buddhist temples in Kamakura, Japan. Just a short trip by train from Tokyo via the Japanese Railroad (JR) Yokosuka Train Line. Designated as Japan's National Treasure, the bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha, which is the principal image of Kotoku-in, is commonly known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu in Japanese). Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple that belongs to the Jodo Sect, a traditional sect founded by the priest Honen (1133-1212). Honen's teachings emphasized that through chanting nembutsu (an invocation of Amitabha), anyone irrespective of gender, age or social standing, and regardless of whether the individual has engaged in good or bad deeds, can receive the protection of Amitabha and be reborn in his Pure Land. The construction of the statue began in 1252 and it was originally enshrined in Daibutsu-den Hall. However, the building was destroyed due to several typhoons and ultimately by a huge tsunami in 1498. Since then, the Buddha has been standing in the open air. Along the streets of the area are several shops, restaurants, and places of interest. Make a day of it, and visit, you will not be disappointed.
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Alan L.

Yelp
A very small temple that has a very large Buddha statue! But that's pretty much it. It is impressive, but the temple itself is rather small and not much to see. The location is pretty good though; a short bus ride away from the Kamakura station (or a 25 minute walk if you're up for it), and also by Hasedera Temple, so it's not too out of the way to see
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Ed U.

Yelp
Kōtoku-in Temple (Kamakura Daibatsu) / Kamakura -- It's not the biggest Buddha statue in the world, but to me, it's the most instantly recognizable symbol of Kamakura if not Japan. It's 44 feet tall and 103 tons, rather overweight considering it's hollow inside. Perhaps he should consider Ozempic. It was the one iconic image I wanted to show Jamie W. when we took our day trip to Kamakura. We were surprised it wasn't that close to the train station, but the local bus ride was pretty easy. Admission was ¥200. The attraction is really the grounds of a temple with a fearsome pair of Nio (Vajrapani) statues inside the main gate (photo: https://yelp.to/74riRhn2Ti). Once the Buddha comes into view, everything else fades away, including a pair of sandals made way after the fact (photo: https://yelp.to/cKbqKGrmNv). You'll want to get all your 360-degree Instagram photos of Buddha (photo: https://yelp.to/QbsANoePb4). Once done, I was recalling Yasujiro Ozu's classic movies. A native of Kamakura, he set key conversational scenes in front of Buddha. Meanwhile there was quite a souvenir shop on the grounds where you can get all the Buddha magnets and snow globes to your heart's delight (photo: https://yelp.to/ZQGtAiC3Al). RELATED - Exploring Japan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2qrUBZo
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Mark N. T.

Yelp
I used Enoden which was a small train. It was so crowded to make me feel in a sardine can. If you want to avoid the notorious Japanese crowded train, you use a taxi. I walked from Hase station to Kotokuin. I enjoyed the street to the temple. There were a lot of intriguing shops and restaurants. You can stop by one of them, though these will be very expensive. The admission fee was very cheap. The temple is not a Disneyland, they can't charge a lot of money. The statue was huge. I walked to the inside. I learned how the engineers built this statue many years ago. Here is a must-see spot in Kamakura. You need to take a picture!
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Alisa J.

Yelp
Beautiful temple! Loved seeing the daibutsusama which has been on my budget list for a long time. You can even go inside for 50 yen which was pretty cool although it's a bit crowded. Highly recommend checking out this site!
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James B.

Yelp
The great Buddha was pretty cool to see in person and I was really surprised to learn that the it was hollow and that you could get inside of it. Overall it's not too expensive and is a nice thing to see if you are in Kamakura. We were there early in a weekday so we basically had the whole temple to ourselves which is always a plus when visiting. Apart from seeing the Buddha there is not much to do in or around the ground, so I would recommend about an hour seeing the Buddha not including travel time. Overall 4/5 would recommend to see if you like temples and are in the area.
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Linda M.

Yelp
This place is a gem! Absolutely stunning and worth the trip. It is a bit far out but totally worth it.
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Steph C.

Yelp
We saw a lot of incredible sights during our 11-day trip to Japan, but the Kamakura Daibutsu, or Great Buddha of Kamakura, was one of the most impressive. We took a day trip with my old friend Kei K. and her husband Nobu K., who were kind enough to pick us up from our hotel in Tokyo and drive us out to Kamakura, over an hour away. I gather that it takes a little longer by train, but if you have a free day to get out of Tokyo, Kamakura is a worthwhile destination, largely because of this giant statue. The Buddha is in Kotoku-in, and I found the temple peaceful and easy to visit on a Sunday morning. There were plenty of tourists, most of them domestic, but it wasn't really comparable to sites of similar significance in Tokyo or Kyoto. The entry fee was ¥300, which is $2 these days. We walked in and bam, there was the Buddha: 44 feet tall, 103 tons of green patinated bronze. The Buddha sits with a serene expression on his face, soft fabric draping over his body. His chest and belly are partially exposed, and you can see the gentle folds of his skin. The statue was built almost 800 years ago, finished in 1252, over half a millennium before my country was even born. Pictures do not do this thing justice. I was genuinely moved by its scale and antiquity. It is awe-inspiring in the purest, most literal way. We paid the extra ¥50 to go into the statue, which is hollow. This was also amazing. There was a plaque explaining how the Buddha was made, and it was cool to read about while looking at the statue from the inside. The whole visit took something like 15 minutes, but it would've been worth the trip even if we'd done nothing else in Kamakura. If you're ever in the area, or looking to do a day trip out of Tokyo, go pay your respects to the Great Buddha.
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Nat W.

Yelp
If don't have time to go all the way to Nara from Tokyo, then I recommend Kamakura to see Big Buddha. The train ride is about 1-1:30 from Tokyo area. The entry fee is 300 yen. They used to let you go inside Buddha for 20yen, but now closed due to Covid. The same thing goes with bamboo dippers to wash your hands. They have a nice garden in the back on the way to the bathroom. If you are not going to Kyoto/Nara, you can see a little bit of historic side of Japan without leaving too far from Tokyo.

Back P.

Yelp
Wow, this place is amazing! I love the Great Buddha! There's a couple nice gift shops on the property too. This is a very special place!
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Tyler L.

Yelp
If you are doing a full day trip to the city of Kamakura, then you must pay a visit to this giant Buddha statue that is over 700 years old. I would not say that it is worth it to come all the way from Tokyo for this statue alone. There are bigger Buddhas in Japan, like the ones in the cities of Nara and Ushiku. This Buddha is still impressive at over 43 feet tall from the base. It is only about a 10 minute walk from the Hase train station. The entry fee is super cheap at only 200 yen, and for an additional 20 yen you can pay to enter the inside of it.
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Darron N.

Yelp
Very cool place to visit when exploring the countries sites. Friendly small town with mini great food opportunities
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Toshiyuki O.

Yelp
Koutokuin temple belongs Jodoshu. This is a popular tourist spot as Kamakura-no-Daibutsu, Kamakura's Great statue of Buddha, in Kamakura city. In addition, the statue is the image of Amida-Nyorai deity. It's a very big and we can get inside. The entrance of the statue is the back side. Inside is very narrow and dark, so please be careful. Because I hit my head against on the ceiling. In days gone by, there was the main temple which is called Daibutsu-den. Originally, the great statue was in it. However, it was destroyed and it's not rebuild now. Therefore the great statue is located in the open. By the way, there is Kangetsu-do temple in the back of the precincts and it's remaining. This temple charges the entrance fee at the toll booth on the left side after entering Nioumon gate. Entrance fee is 200 yen and in case of child is 150 yen. And they charge 20 yen as another entrance fee when we get inside the great statue. We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of temples and shrines) at here. They offer 2 versions of Goshuin per pilgrimages. One is the version of Kamakura's great statue of Buddha. Another one is the version of Kamakura celebrated 33 Kannon temples pilgrimage becase this temple is the 23rd place of the pilgrimage. If you want them, you should visit the temple office on the right side by the great statue. They charge 300 yen per one. Details about Goshuin is below. http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html 高徳院は鎌倉の大仏で有名な浄土宗の寺院です。 なお、鎌倉の大仏と呼ばれている像はこの寺院の御本尊である阿弥陀如来像です。 大仏はかなり大きく、その胎内に入る事も出来ます。 中に入りたい場合は像の背面に回ると入口があります。 胎内は薄暗くとても狭いので周りに十分注意して下さい。 ちなみに、僕は頭をぶつけました。 以前は大仏殿と呼ばれる本堂があり、その中に大仏も納められていたと伝えられています。 今は大仏殿は倒壊してしまいなく、大仏も外に鎮座しています。 なお、境内の奥には観月堂があり、そちらの建物は現存しています。 この寺院は中に入る際に拝観料を徴収しています。 拝観料は仁王門をくぐった後、左側にあります。 大人200円、子供は150円です。 また、大仏の胎内に入る際には別途20円が必要です。 御朱印は大仏の右側にある寺務所にて頂戴する事が出来ます。 御本尊である大仏のものと、鎌倉三十三観音霊場のものを授与して下さいます。 なお、こちらの寺院は鎌倉三十三観音霊場の第二十三番札所です。 志納金は各々300円です。 御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。 http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html
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Becky M.

Yelp
Had to give this place all 5 of my stars because it really is worth seeing. I can't begin to describe the feeling of finally getting to visit and see in-person the giant buddha I studied and read so much about back in college. To gaze upon the 700-year-old​ massive structure was truly breathtaking. I had researched starting at the Daibutsu hiking trail from Shin-Kamakura station the night before in order to hit up the other temples along the way to the giant buddha. But unfortunately, (as of November 2019) the Daibutsu hiking trail was closed due to downed trees from the recent typhoon. I ended up taking the main road down (about 30-40min walk) which ended up being very scenic and peaceful. This temple is located within 10min walking distance from the nearest train station. It's not hard to find the entrance, just follow the road up and pass several shops along the way. The entrance fee is ¥200 and another ¥20 if you want to go inside the buddha to see how its constructed. This place, as you would expect, is constantly busy with visitors who come from all over. Be mindful that there is a good chance you will be solicited into playing the role of photographer and taking other visitors' pictures for them at this site. Other than the buddha being the main attraction here, you can walk around and explore the beautiful foliage around the temple grounds. Since I came during peak Fall season I found the maple trees made for a beautiful backdrop in my photos. Don't forget to stop at the souvenir shops on your way out. I found the shop nearest the buddha (the one run by nice old ladies) to be better and slightly less expensive than the one located nearest the exit. Definitely put this place on your itinerary when you visit Kamakura!
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Wendy L.

Yelp
A definite must see is Daibatsu (The Great Buddha) at Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura. The drive toward the temple and through Kamakura was windy but it was nice to see the surrounding neighborhood and the housing out here. My party and I drove out here on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't as crowded as I expected. In fact, I think we arrived after the crowd of tourists left because we were able to secure a parking spot just walking distance from the entrance. The parking lot had a restroom building so we decided to use it before going in the temple because it was conveniently right by us. Let me tell you... as soon as I opened the toilet stall door, the first thing I noticed was the SQUAT TOILET! I literally let out an audible, "OH, H*LL NO!" Pretty loudly too! It was a mix of shock, fright and brattiness coming out of that phrase! Haha Back to the temple... Before you enter, there's a small garden on the side and two lion sculptures across from the ticket sales counter. You will need to purchase tickets for minimal price to enter the temple. There's a well where you would cleanse yourself. I'm not even sure if I did it correctly but I just observed other people and did whatever they did. Just don't drink the water (there are signs that tell you not to). If you keep walking, you'll see a lot of trees. Because I arrived during the beginning of Cherry Blossom (Hanami) season, we saw some blooms in white petals and in different hues of pink. It was nice to be able to get some photos of them at their early blooms. Now, keep walking until you see the steps that lead up toward the statue, Amitābha Nyorai (Amida for short), who is known to be a celestial deity in Buddhism. There are a lot of people taking pictures and or marveling at the massive statue who aren't paying attention so just be careful as you climb up the steps. They do have ramps that lead up to the statue so if you have anyone in a stroller, walker, or wheelchair, just know that they will be accommodated. And it's not even a far walk at all. They have offerings displayed before the statue such as fruits and incense. And there are seats to the right of the statue if you want to rest. You can easily spend an hour here and move on. There are no food or drink vendors inside this temple, however, there are a bunch of souvenir shops, restaurants, and street vendors just outside the temple. Just follow the crowd and walk the strip and you'll find something you'll like, such as kimono shops, knives and swords, ramen shops, Tako Senbei (Crispy Octopus Cracker), ice cream, and other treats. Overall, it's a good place to check out The Great Buddha. The grounds are small and easy to navigate through. And it's very clean and well-maintained. Definitely worth a stop.
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Shannon M.

Yelp
Definitely make the day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo to see this amazing statue! As big as it may look in a picture, we still weren't prepared for the true scale of it. One eyelid is a meter long! You can even go inside it (for a few cents more). Make sure to look for his giant rice straw sandals too, haha! The temple grounds are also nice, and even though it was crowded on the day we were there, it still didn't feel as crazy as Sensoji or the Yasaka shrine. Not far from Tokyo and so worthwhile!
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Ngan S.

Yelp
WORTH THE TRIP TO KAMAKURA. About a 10 minute walking distance from the train station with shops along the way. 200Y entrance fee I believe. The Great Buddha was absolutely breath taking & being there...you feel...peace. I truly believe it's a once in a lifetime experience and you just have to be there to feel it and know what I'm talking about. Toilets are clean & there are neat trinket shops for souvenirs. For another 20Y you can go inside the bronze Buddha to see & read a little more about its construction. This Buddha has been here for about 700 years...a must see in this life time!
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Benny H.

Yelp
This could honestly be one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world. The GF really wanted to come here so we did. It's a bit of the beaten path from Tokyo, but it's honestly worth the journey just to experience something besides an over populated city. There is a huge Buddha here this is really a site to behold. You really can't take your eyes of it and you can actually enter the statue itself to hear your own echo. We came on a day where the kids were doing class photos, so lets just say there were a lot of kids. Still we really enjoyed it here as it was very serene and majestic. It's about 90 minutes away from Tokyo, but well worth it. Go.
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Kelly K.

Yelp
Making the trek from Tokyo to see the Kamakura Daibutsu is relatively easy. First you catch the JR Line to Kamakura, then a local Enoshima train (approx $2/one way) to Hase. Then follow the crowds a few blocks to the temple. The walk uphill to the Daibutsu goes by quickly. There are lots of cute shops and cafes along the way. There is a small 200¥ entry fee to enter the temple and an additional 20¥ to go inside the Buddha. The grounds are really not that big so aside from the big Buddha there isn't that much to see or do. I did buy a few things from the gift shop; chopsticks, rice paddle, & omamori. Prices were very reasonable too! While I'm glad we decided to visit Kamakura and saw the Buddha one visit is sufficient.
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Yuko H.

Yelp
If you are in Tokyo and happen to have a half day free, visit the Kotoku-in Temple, the Great Buddha. A quick train ride from the central Tokyo, this place makes it perfect for a quick half day sightseeing. Take a JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura, then switch to a local Enoshima line to Hase Station. Or once you arrive at the Kamakura station, just follow tourists. So many of out there, you won't miss it. (that's what I did, just followed the crowds.) Buddha is huge, you will see when you get there. So many pictures but it is actually huge, worth your time seeing it in person. There are several other temples and restaurant/shops nearby, you could actually spend as long as a whole day or just a half day, depending on how much time you have. I enjoyed purple potato and green tea ice cream, fresh sardine rice bowl (famous local dish?) and bought several gifts. Don't forget to bring your camera. There are many photo opportunities and the Buddha is quite photogenic.
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Marie T.

Yelp
I must have expected more from this place because I wasn't that impressed. It is amazing that this Buddha was made many centuries ago, but it would not be at the top of my list. You pay an entrance fee of Y200, and you can go inside the Buddha for Y20. And that's about it. But if you do want to visit. Take bus 1 or bus 6 from the Train Bus Depot and get off at "Daibutsu". I think the bus cost Y180.
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Alex M.

Yelp
I loved this place. This is the 2nd largest Buddha in Japan (the biggest being indoors at Nara) but this is the biggest outdoor Buddha. There is a place to cleanse yourself- do not drink the water. You pour water over your hands and rinse the outside of your lips- to ritually purify yourself. When you approach the Buddha, there is an incense burner- this also purifies and heals. If you are ill, waft the incense at the part of your body that is ailing. When people approach the Buddha you will see them bow, throw in a coin (often the 5 cent coin- gold with the hole in the middle, because of it's symbolism) and then bow again. There is no clapping- that's for the Shinto shrines. I thought this Buddha was one of the great sights of our trip. It is an amazingly beautiful Buddha in a lovely setting.
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Cindy L.

Yelp
We came here on a holiday so it was packed with people! That did't stop us from seeing it though, there's an entry fee, though I don't remember what it was, it was worth it. You also pay extra to see the inside of the great Daibutsu! Also, he's much bigger in person, he's HUGE actually! I didn't expect him to be so big! There are surrounding parks in the area and a little town area right outside of this park is also beautiful with the old Japanese homes and little shops. I was thrilled I can check this off as one of the places I wanted to go to in Japan. Stunning, absolutely stunning!
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Alan Y.

Yelp
This temple is about an hour train ride from Shinjuku. It cost 200 Yen (less than $2 USD) to enter the Temple and it's well worth it. You can even go inside the Buddha statue for 20 Yen. Overall, the Daibutsu is majestic and pretty amazing to stand in front of because you feel insignificant next to it. There are many students and tourist that visit this place, so it can feel a bit crowded but Disneyland is worse. Walking through the streets and visiting the little shops in Kamakura was such a good time. I definitely recommend this place and would come here again. The size of this statue is not as large as the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong, but it is still worth seeing because there's more to Japan than big neon lit buildings, cat cafes and Anime stores...
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Hannah L.

Yelp
So worth the trip out here! We had to take two different forms of transportation. Their regular subway - about an hour subway ride from Tokyo, and then a smaller electrical trolley to Kamakura. Such an amazing view within the rural side of Japan. The Great Buddha is definitely a site to check out if you are in the area or willing to travel. Entrance fee is about ¥200 or ¥300 to get in which is about $2 to $3. This time around, the cherry blossoms (Sakura) will bloom soon so it's an even better reason to make a trip out here to enjoy them in nature.
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Judith S.

Yelp
My husband and I wanted to see the 2nd largest buddha in the world. We also wanted to see the tallest buddha on the other side of Kamakura but it will take 2 hours to go there by train. Maybe next time when we come back again maybe next year.
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Kelly S.

Yelp
This is a great small town on the ocean. Beach it's really close lots of food areas to eat. The big Buddha is amazing and has the typical incense burning in front of it. The only issue is some cartoon was published, and now the place is overrun with tourists. The town has even produce a news broadcast saying that they have had enough tourists and people need to stop visiting.
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Sherry C.

Yelp
I must say the seated great Buddha is one of the main attractions in the Kamakura area and exactly what I had expected. One major wow factor was that it was built in the 13th century with bronze cast and must have been quite an undertaking. The construction may have only taken about 15 years because there was the mentioning of a the great temple that housed the Buddha after 15 years and no longer existed. give it 4 out of 5 stars as this place is bit touristy and also it did not seem as interesting as the other shrines and temples I visited around the area.
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Jeff C.

Yelp
A Yelp friend reminded me that I had a picture of Kamakura up on my page, and I felt a bit stupid that I hadn't reviewed this one yet, so here goes. If you hit Tokyo, you must take a day trip to visit the Grand Buddha which is one of my favorite Buddhas in the world. You are in store for a great photo opportunity, but I suggest that you get here as soon as possible, for this landmark is very popular with tourist and school trips alike. After you have gotten your spiritual Buddha on, head down the road to a small village where some cool restaurants and shops await. One thing that I know for sure is that when I return to Japan, I will return to Kamakura, for as Buddha says, "It is better to travel well than to arrive."
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TC S.

Yelp
My favorite spot in Tokyo isn't even in Tokyo. Kamakura is by the ocean, about 90 minutes from Shinjuku. The most famous thing in Kamakura is the great Buddha. I love going to this place. I love sitting in the temple courtyard during various seasons, watching school kids on field trips, observing Japanese from all over Japan taking in their heritage and foreigners checking off another site in their guide books. The thing I like most about sitting by the Buddha is looking at him. His peaceful outer visage is a reflection of his inner being. He is beautiful in a sublime, yet natural way. It doesn't matter if I am there when it is sunny, hailing, raining, windy or icy cold (I've been there during all of those kinds of weather), there he sits. I loved reading while sitting on the big stone to right of the buddha. The afternoon glow of fading sunlight in September is my favorite time to be there. I still feel the the autumn warmth on my face and the smell of rural Japan. g
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Adrian Robert H.

Yelp
Fun tourist destination. I'd recommend exploring the surrounding Kamakura area in addition to paying the friendly Buddha a visit while you're there. *** Came here Oct '14 with a small group. The buddha statue is remarkable in that its some 700-800 years old. If my understanding of the history serves me correctly, the buddha had in medieval days been housed inside a temple. The temple was wrecked by some natural catastrophe, fire, or some other misfortune. It was not rebuilt. However the buddha has survived well to this day, likely with some renovations throughout the ages. Regardless, having the buddha sit out in the open does lend itself to an experience that is quite unlike any other shrine I know of in Japan. I think the feat of engineering, durability, and lifelike design of the all the minute, intricate details deserve recognition. Note the curls on the buddha's head, the details from the lotus blossom are all worth a moment's admiration. For many, understandably, this is an essential destination for tourists visiting Japan. Nonetheless, this site doesn't offer a whole lot more to do. Besides having the opportunity to venture inside the statue, enjoy a drink at the fountain, and purchase touristy trinkets, shoot photos, there isn't much reason to stay for long, as there isn't much to do. While I think this is a great palace to visit if its part of exploring other parts of the area, I don't think its worthwhile to spend and hour and a half each way on the train just for visiting the large buddha and nothing else. I highly recommend planning other activities while visiting the Kamakura area. In my case, I enjoyed exploring parts of the town, a few more shrines, and had a good kaiseki lunch prior. I wish I could have also explored the seaside within walking distance. If you plan to spend several hours to come out here, might as well make the best use of time. Overall, I liked visiting the majestic Daibutsu, but it may be some time again before another visit. Its worth a detour if you're interested in the area.
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Lindsey H.

Yelp
Definitely worth the 10-15 minute walk from the train station. We took our time and enjoyed walking around. They have shops along the streets and we strolled in them as well. The Great Buddha was larger than anticipated. You feel at peace, even when surrounded by hundreds of strangers. Being there you have no worries. The grounds are kept clean and beautiful. You're able to go inside for a few cent more and we felt it was worth it.
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Lee K.

Yelp
Kotoku-in Temple, the Great Buddha is well worth seeing if you plan to visit Kamakura. The size of the Buddha statue is far more impressive when seen in person. Within walking distance is the Hasedera Temple which is another impressive site with a beautiful shrine, underground tunnels, and really nice views of the coastline and beaches. Kamakura and its attractions should be avoided on weekends due to crowds.
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Adrian C.

Yelp
A breathtaking giant sculpture of Buddha, this is a must see if in kamakura. It costs 200¥ ($1.80) entrance fee to view the Buddha. It is a great place for photo opts that will wow your family and friends back home. You can also climb into the the Buddha for an additional fee of 20¥ ($0.18).
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Kimberly C.

Yelp
One of Kamakura's most iconic sights is the bronze statue of Amida Buddha. (Daibutsu) We even ducked inside the giant statue. This buddha is HUGE! You can easily capture a great selfie with this handsome buddha. You can easily spend a few hours exploring the nearby area or getting gifts. There are so many tourists and groups, but try to separate that when visiting this beautiful place.
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Jeff D.

Yelp
Kamakura is a must visit if you are in Tokyo, and the Daibutsu is the highlight of the trip. It is the largest outdoor Buddha in Japan and is one of the more tranquil and peaceful places in Japan, even with the crowds of people visiting the shrine. It only costs 200 yen to enter the temple (and this is true of most temples that charge anything) and you can stay as long as you like. There is a Daibutsu hiking trail you can start in Kita-Kamakura that will end here. It's a serious hike but had a lot of cool temples along it and if the weather is good you can see Mt. Fuji. A must see if you are in the Kansai region.
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Erin L.

Yelp
Going to Kotoku-in to see the Daibutsu (giant Buddha) is definitely one to tick off of your bucket list - there are regular buses going straight there from Kamakura station, and is really worth seeing. It's hard to believe that the buddha was built in 1252 (and you can go inside it, too).
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Al D.

Yelp
I loved visiting Kamakura, and this Buddha was very impressive, especially against such a beautiful backdrop. I would recommend a day trip for anyone visiting Japan to Kamakura and definitely come see this Buddha.
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Stefanie J.

Yelp
This is an incredible thing to see, and the vibe here is just outstanding. You will marvel at the giant Buddha that's been here for nearly 800 years, surviving everything from earthquakes to tsunamis. It's a busy tourist attraction, and yet you can still somehow find a sense of peacefulness there; it's just that fantastic and magical. Make an offering before the Buddha if you like, or pay 200 Yen extra and literally go into the belly of the Buddha.

Kelly D.

Yelp
Perfect day trip from Tokyo. First time back in sixteen years. Nice to bring my eleven year old this time. Look for the signs on the sidewalk.