Located towards the South of Tokyo, Kamakura was once the political capital of Nara and Kyoto. Home to many historic monuments and buildings, your holiday to Tokyo is incomplete without a visit to this lovely and picturesque town. You might even get a feeling of Deja-vu as this town has been the backdrop for many a Japanese movie and anime series.
One of the most iconic landmarks here is the statue of the Great Buddha or the Kamakura Daibutsu. Built-in 1252, this magnificent bronze statue stands tall at 13.35 meters. This representation of Amida Buddha is said to have been cast in Bronze from melted Chinese coins and plated with gold. One can still find traces of gold on the right cheek of the statue. The Kamakura Daibutsu is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan weighing about 121 tonnes. The original temple building was destroyed in 1492 when a tsunami hit Japan. Hence, now you can see the statue in an open courtyard.
The visitors can explore the inside of the statue and get an idea of how it was cast for a small price of 20 Yen. This unique experience is sure to leave you asking for more. The town of Kamakura offers many other activities such as hiking through various mountains and valleys, idling away at the beaches, or just getting soaked in the culture and tradition of the place. Make the most of your Japanese holiday with these memorable experiences
• One of the popular places is the Hasedera Temple which is built on the hills with an amazing view of the city and the Sagami Bay. The Hydrangea flowers are in full bloom during the monsoon
• Megetsuin or the ‘Hydrangea Temple’ also attracts a large number of visitors every year. The inner garden is filled with stunning Hydrangea flowers
• One of the most important temples of Eastern Japan is the Engakuji Temple. The place is popular for autumn leaves viewing
• The Hokokuji Temple has a lovely bamboo grove formed with 2000 bamboo trees. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk in the forest along with some fresh green tea in the small café
• The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is known for its beautiful red tori gate in the main hall. It is crowded from 1st to 3rd January as people go there for the New Year’s first visit
• The Zeniarai Benten Shrine’s spring water is believed to have special powers. You supposedly get rich if you wash your money in these waters. This unique shrine is located between Kamakura and Kita Kamakura Station
• The best place to eat and shop will be Komachi Street. This street is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Enjoy street snacks as you stroll around
• Though a bit further from Kamakura, Enoshima Island is worth visiting. Easily accessible by local train, this small island has a lot to offer with shrines, shops, an observatory and restaurants
Distance from Haneda Airport, Tokyo to the Great Buddha is 50 km
Bus, Train
Travel Time: 1 h 20 minutes
Fare: $ 12 to $ 15
Train
Travel Time: 1 h 53 minutes
Fare: $ 8 to $ 11
Taxi
Travel Time: 34 minutes
Fare: $ 145 to $ 184
Drive
Travel Time: 34 minutes
Fare: $ 4 to $ 6
• The best time to visit would be during early summer or winter when the Hydrangeas are in full bloom
• Most of the sightseeing places in Kamakura are within walking distance from the station. Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers for the purpose
• The weather might get chilly with strong winds towards the coast. It will be a good idea to carry a cardigan or a light jacket
• The Kamakura station is easily accessible from Tokyo, Ueno or Shinagawa stations. The Japan Rail Pass offers unlimited rides on JR trains
• Kamakura is well-connected by public transport. You can save money and time using these. The place is also small enough to be explored on foot or you can rent a bicycle
• Due to the streets being quite narrow, it gets very crowded, especially during the peak tourist season. Hence it is better to avoid availing taxi or rental car services
• If there are two of you, the best option would be to hire a rickshaw to get around. The person can give a lot of information about the tourist spots and also introduce you to new ones
• Convenient bus passes are available for tourists. You can enquire and choose the one which covers the areas you want to visit
April to September
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
October to March
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To Go Inside the Statue
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Waiting Time
No. You can book in advance
Entrance Fee
To the Kotokuin Temple
$ 2.79 per person
Statue Interior
$ 0.19 per person
Time you can spend
30 minutes to 1 hour
Weather
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