Great Buddha Kamakura

Great Buddha Kamakura

 Great Buddha Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todai-ji Temple. The weight is approximately 93 tonnes.

Kayo and Hamish 

 

My friends taking selfies with the Great Buddha Kamakura.

Kotokuin Temple entrance

This was the third temple & shrine we visited today after getting the train from Tokyo to Kamakura, a journey that took a little over and hour.

I almost needed this guy

 

After all the walking I almost needed this guy. 🙂

Great Buddha Kamakura, old bridge

The old bridge surrounded by beautiful Japanese trees. This stone arched bridge in the old days used to be reserved
only for the Shogun’s use (others used the flat bridges). This sort of bridge is usually called a Taiko Bashi (drum bridge), since the reflection in the water makes it look like a drum.

 Japanese tradition

 The Chozuya (purification pavilion). Visitors wash their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the shrine.

Washing hands and mouth

We did wonder whether or not this may be a way to pass on germs to each other.

Buddhism

 Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC. It consists of the teachings of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha. Of the main branches of Buddhism, it is the Mahayana or “Greater Vehicle” Buddhism which found its way to Japan.

Donations from Japanese business.

I have seen these displays at other temples and parks, they acknowledge support from various businesses.

Oh no, more stairs 🙂

After all the walking today I was not thrilled climbing the stairs to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

This shrine was originally founded in 1063 and Burnt down in 1191, it was reconstructed as the shrine which we see today.

1000-year-old Assassin Gingko

 In March 2010, after standing next to the steps since just after the Shrine was established, the 1000-year-old Assassin Gingko was uprooted and fell in a storm. Part of the trunk and the stump itself were replanted, and are now growing new leaves, so it looks the fine old tree has survived.

Shrine at the top of the stairs

I was happily taking photos around the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine until a guard told me it was forbidden, luckily by then I had enough for this post.

Not sure of the significance

I never did find out the significance of all these labels. I can only guess they indicate support from various businesses and individuals.

Kotokuin Temple

In the peaceful grounds behind the Great Buddha Kamakura.

Down we go

We took the back stairs down to ground level.

Great Buddha Kamakura, happy shopkeepers

As soon as you raise your camera you are sure to get a smile.

Walking to Hase station

 The Great Buddha Kamakura is located a 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura along the Enoden railway line. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. It is well worth taking the trip to Enoshima, the venue for the 2020 Olympics yachting.

 Hase station

About a 30 minute train ride to Fujisawa.

 Two Buddhas at Kamakura 

Thanks for visiting my Great Buddha Kamakura post, in case you missed it take a look at Engaku-ji and also Kencho-ji.

A week before the above photo was taken I broke a front tooth eating a ham sandwich in Seoul Korea, I had to wait until I returned to Thailand to have it replaced.  Most of the photos showing it I photo shopped but in this case I thought I would leave it as it was.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

• Dotonbori in Osaka

• Piss Alley Tokyo

• Oyster bar Sendai 

•  Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.