Kanagawa｜The Great Buddha of Kamakura, standing tall despite the typhoon and earthquake, the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan

The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in Temple has stood since the 13th century, but he was not always outdoors. At 11.3 meters tall and weighing 121 tons, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan, only slightly shorter than the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple in Nara. Originally, this giant Buddha was actually enshrined in a Buddhist temple, but after experiencing typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis, the temple building was destroyed, leaving only the Kamakura Buddha standing in its original place. Because of this, the Great Buddha has become a sacred symbol, standing firm like a mountain even after disasters, and continues to protect the people of Kamakura. Kotokuin belongs to the Pure Land Buddhism, whose teachings are that the Buddha treats everyone equally, and that everyone, whether good or bad, poor or rich, can reach the Pure Land under the guidance of the Dharma. After visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura, it is recommended to take the Enoshima Electric Railway to admire the coastline and try the anchovy rice. If you are not very brave to eat raw fish, you can choose a half-raw and half-cooked combination to taste the gift of the sea. 📍Address: 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016 Japan 🚗Take the Shonan Shinjuku Line to Kamakura Station, transfer to the Enoshima Electric Railway and get off at Hasedera Station, which is a five-minute walk away. #MarchGoodPlaces2025