Kotoku-in Temple Layout & Buildings

Entering Kotoku-in Temple, visitors can see the head of the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu). This is the second largest Buddha in Japan. Its atmosphere and the positioning of its hands and eyes convey a sense of calm and attentiveness. The statue's height_ is 11.4 meters, circumference 29.4 meters, and face length 2.3 meters. The overall weight is approximately 121 tons. Inside the statue, there is a staircase that allows visitors to reach shoulder height_. The temple grounds also feature various stone monuments, including inscriptions by Jodo sect monk Yuten Shonin and poems by Kaneko Kunen and Yosano Akiko, notable figures from the Taisho Period. The temple grounds also feature various stone monuments, including inscriptions by Jodo sect monk Yuten Shonin and poems by Kaneko Kunen and Yosano Akiko, notable figures from the Taisho Period. Additionally, there is a tree planted by the Thai king Prajadhipok and a monument dedicated to former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene.

Kotoku-in Temple history 

The original wooden Buddha statue, initially constructed with the funds raised, was destroyed in a storm. In 1252, it was replaced with the present bronze statue, which stands in an exposed position since the temple's large hall was washed away by a tidal wave in 1495. Some remnants of the original hall can still be seen around the statue. Over the years, the statue underwent renovations in the early 18th century, after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, and in 1960 to reinforce it against potential earthquakes.The Great Buddha statue's proportions are deliberately distorted to create a perspective when viewed from the front, possibly influenced by Greek statuary transmitted through the Silk Road via Gandhara in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Kotoku-in temple is currently in the process of consideration to be included in UNESCO’ World Heritage Sites.  If you're a fan of Japanese historical monument and faithful in Shinto Buddhism you shouldn't miss this place.

Kotoku-in Temple Hours and Admission

• Kotoku-in Temple is open from 8 am to 5.30 pm in April to September; 8 am to 5 pm in October to March.
• Admission is 200 yen to the temple grounds and an additional 20 yen to enter into the statue.

How to get to Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura

Kamakura is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo and within an hour by a ride of JR Yokosuka train from Tokyo Station.

• Kotoku-in Temple is a short 400-meter walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Line to Enoshima.
• Hase-dera Temple is only five minutes' walk from Kotoku-in and Kosokuji Temple is also nearby.
• Kotoku-in can be accessed from the Kuzuharagaoka-Daibutsu Hiking Trail.