Kamakura, which can be reached in just one hour from Tokyo is an interesting place to visit for anyone interested in history, going on a hike through the green hills, or to enjoy water sports. Kamakura was once the capital of Japan and remained so up until about the 14 century.
Kamakura has an interesting mix of shrines and temples making it a good place to visit, especially if you are unable to visit the more historical city of Kyoto.
Places of Interest
Great Buddha
Great Buddha – Kamakura
The Great Buddha or Daibutsu in Japanese was constructed in 1252 A.D. It was originally housed in a building but it was destroyed by a tidal wave in 1498. The Buddha is 13.35 meters tall and weighs 121 tonnes, making it the second largest Buddha in Japan. The largest statue being Todaiji Temple in Nara.
Hours
Open: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, all-year-round
Admission Price:
200 yen for Adults and Junior High School Students, 150 yen for primary school children
Further Information:
https://www.kotoku-in.jp/
Getting there
Take the Enoden-line to Hase station where it’s about a 7-minute walk.
Hasedara Temple
The temple is set in beatiful Japanese gardens complete with carp ponds and water falls. It is also elevated enough to provide some great views of Kamakura and Yuigahama beach. Entrance is 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
Be sure not to miss the cave or “Benten-kutsu”. You can buy candle sticks and put them on the altar after lighting them. There are 16 statues all carved into the walls of the cave. For tall foreigners, be sure to watch your head as the ceiling gets very low.
Kannon dou hall – Hasadera Temple
Hours:
March – September: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
October – February: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Admission Price:
Adult 400 yen, Primary school student 200 yen
Further Information: www.hasedera.jp
Getting there
Take the Enoden-line to Hase station where its about a 5 minute walk to get to the temple.
Further Information
View of Kamakura from Hasedara Temple
Getting There
Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Shinagawa to Kamakura. For exploring Kamakura, use the Enoshima Electric train (Eno-den), a single line which travels along the coast from Kamakura to Fujisawa. The train itself is a tourist attraction.
Getting on the Enoden at Kamakura
Further Information
Kamakura Website (in English)
Featured image in this article by Yoshikazu TAKADA CC 2.0
