Kamakura is a wonderful tourist destination where you can experience Japanese history and culture. Among them, the Great Buddha of Hase is one of the most famous sights in Kamakura. In this article, we will introduce the charms, highlights, and accessibility of the Great Buddha of Hase.
What is the Great Buddha of Hase?
The Great Buddha of Hase is a bronze statue of Buddha that stands approximately 11.4 meters tall and weighs about 121 tons. Officially called Amida Nyorai, it was built in the late Heian period (794-1185). During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), it was housed in a building called the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), but it was destroyed by fire and tsunami several times during the Edo period (1603-1867), and is now exposed outdoors. However, the statue has withstood the elements and displays an expression of dignity and compassion. The interior of the Daibutsuden has stairs and windows that allow visitors to enter and view the statue.
Highlights of the Great Buddha of Hase
The Great Buddha of Hase can be viewed in different ways in each of the four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas are in full bloom, creating a beautiful contrast with the Daibutsu. In summer, fresh greenery and hydrangeas delight the eye. In the fall, the colored leaves adorn the Daibutsu statue. In winter, when it snows, the Daibutsu is covered in white, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Also, early in the morning and at dusk, the sun’s rays hit the Daibutsu, making it glow with a golden color. These times are also ideal for taking pictures.
There are other attractions in the vicinity of the Great Buddha of Hase. For example, right next to the Daibutsu is a temple called Hase-ji. Hase Temple is an ancient temple founded in the Heian period (794-1192) and is home to many valuable Buddhist statues and paintings, including national treasures and important cultural properties. Also planted on the temple grounds is one of Japan’s oldest flowers, the jugatsuzakura, which blooms from October to November. This flower, like the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), has become a symbol of Kamakura.
How to get to the Great Buddha of Hase
The Great Buddha of Hase can be reached by train, bus, or bicycle. By train, transfer from Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line to the Enoden (Enoden Line) and get off at Hase Station. From Hase Station, it is about a 10-minute walk. By bus, take the Enoshima Dentetsu bus from Kamakura Station and get off at the Daibutsu-mae bus stop. From the Daibutsu-mae bus stop, it is approximately a 5-minute walk. By bicycle, it takes about 20 minutes from Kamakura Station to the south along the coastal road. There is a bicycle rental store at Kamakura Station.
The Great Buddha of Hase is open all day long, but an admission fee is required. Adults are 300 yen and elementary and junior high school students are 150 yen. An additional 50 yen is required to enter the Daibutsu. The Great Buddha of Hase is designated as a Japanese National Treasure and a World Heritage Site. Please visit it when you come to Kamakura. The Great Buddha of Hase will impress and heal you.
