Kamakura Things to Do

A day trip from Tokyo, Kamakura is a seaside town. It was once the capital of Japan during a military administration.

Here the beautiful Giant Buddha (Daibutsu) with a green background of hills is absolutely impressive. It is the second largest Buddha in size in Japan. (For the largest, you have to go to Nara).

Originally this Buddha of over 13 meters was cast in bronze in 1252 AD and located inside the temple hall. But in the 15th century, a tidal tsunami swept away the temple hall and ever since the Giant Buddha has been left in the great open outdoor.

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Just a few minutes walk from Kotokuin Temple (where the Great Buddha sits), is Hase Temple.

This beautiful temple is adorned with a variety of goddesses and looks to be both a Shinto shrine of sorts and a Buddhist temple. The confusion in this regard is so much so, upon asking one of the monks what this shrine was all about he couldn't exactly describe it. Basically, this is an iro iro no kame shrine (a shrine devoted to many gods (I originally wanted to call it a nan demo ii shrine, but my wife didn't like that title)).

The #1 goddess that commands the most attention at this shrine is Kannon (the goddess of mercy) of the Jodo sect. In total, Kannon has eleven heads, many of which are popping out of her main head. No photography is permitted. It is apparently Japan's largest wooden sculpture.

Hase Temple also has:

-a great view overlooking most of Kamakura (see my front page). Nearby, is a restaurant for the hungry.

-a wet cave that you stoop down, walk about in, & look at all the tiny little statues and enjoy the fragrance of the candles (like a Catholic church in that respect)

-sites devoted to little Buddha's represented numerous children killed through abortion (In Japanese culture abortion is religiously regarded as a crime against one's ancestors).

-an area devoted to the fox god

-a Buddhist Bell tower rung during the New Year 144 times

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Kamakura's Great Buddha is located at Kotokuin Temple in Kamakura city. From Kamakura station it is only a short 15 minute bus ride (or 30 minute walk). The bronze statue is that of Amida Buddha. Amidism, one of Japan's many schools of Buddhist thought, contends that through devotion to Amitabha & recitation of his name, one can be reborn and live a happy life until one finally reaches Nirvana. This school of thought is very common throughout Japan. One of it's most famous mantras is chanted as "Nama ami dabutsu". Sorry, I can't translate this. I've heard it recited over and over again at a number of different Buddhist ceremonies.

*Personal note: As an optimist, I'd rather just keep coming back again. I'm not looking forward to Nirvana as... I think it sounds like being dead forever.

Regardless of whatever your beliefs are, this is a holy place. In the very least, out of consideration for what the temple represents and for all that hold it with the deepest regards, it is best to be respectful.

*one other note: Regarding Buddism, belief isn't necessary. Whether you believe or not. If it's real, then it'll happen whether one believes or not. Reality's construct is not set by the mind of the believer. "What is" is regardless of the mindset of the believer. {Not really a religious point, but more so, a point of logic}.

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Kamakura, located outside Tokyo, is an ancient town of temples and shrines. For travellers interested in the culture of the Edo era, Kamakura is the place to visit. Visit the Hase Kannon Temple and the Great Buddha. From the terrace of the Hase Kannon Temple, you can get a panoramic view of the whole town of Kamakura and the Sagami Bay.

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If you are in Kamakura than you probably went there to see the Big Budha or Daibutsu.
This is an old Sitting Budha statue made of bronze and surrounded by a nice little garden. If you are interested for an extra entree fee you can even go inside the statue. For me actually it was the first statue that I saw from inside as well. It was interesting although not much to see ;-)

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Here is symbol of Kamakura , one samurai built in 12th century later. The name of the Samurai was " Minamoto no Yoritomo". He made the first Japanese Samurai Society. Now here is a typcal sightseeing place of Kamakura.

This 121 ton, 13.35 meter tall bronze statue of Buddha was cast in 1252 A.D. by the sculptors Ono-Goroemon and Tanji-Hisatomo at the request of Miss Idanono-Tsubone and Priest Joko, who not only originated the idea of building this large statue and the temple covering it, but also collected donations for it.

In 1498, a tidal wave swept away the great temple of the Buddha, leaving only the foundation stones. In the 500 years since then, the holy statue has been exposed to sunshine, storms, and snow. The latest repair was done in 1960- 1961, to strengthen the Buddha's neck and to make it possible for the Buddha's body to move freely on the base to prevent a damaging shock to the statue in case of an earthquake.

This is a huge bronze Buddha. Its the second largest standing in Japan the first being in Nara. His color is incredible and you can even go inside of him from his hiney. He has two windows in his back to let light in and hot air out. Its located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple.
The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.
I made an offering a 27 second head stand while others gave fruit and incense. For my kind gesture, he farted me out.