Daïbutsu
(Kôtoku-in)
daibutsu Daïbutsu, or the Statue of Great Buddha, is the symbol of Buddha's mercy given to Kamakura.
This statue was built by the priest Jôkô with the donation from the people in Kamakura area. It was completed for the first time in 1243, but on that time it was quite different; the statue was made of wood and put inside the temple. The first statue was broken with the typhoon only 4 years later and rebuilt to the today's bronze statue. It used to be inside the temple, but only the temple was broken because of the typhoon again.
Today the Daïbutsu is one of the most typical sightseeing spot in Kamakura. As Hearn wrote, you can enter into the statue from the "left leg", although I guess the plan to rebuild the temple is cancelled today.
Access from Tokyo Station
map
Take Yokosuka Line (JR underground lanes) to go to Kamakura station.
  1. Take the bus for Daïbutsu. It takes about 15 or 20 minutes.
  2. Take the Eno-Den Line to go to Hasé station. And it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to Daïbutsu.
The entrance fee is 200 Yen. 50 Yen extra is required to enter inside the statue.
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