the viewing deck: Kamakura Trip 5th Part; Kotoko-in Daibutsu (Great Buddha)

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Kamakura Trip 5th Part; Kotoko-in Daibutsu (Great Buddha)

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Kamakura Trip 4th Part; Forest trail of Daibutsu Hiking Course

How to go to Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kita-Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. Starting point is just beside the Jochi-ji Temple, 400m away from the Kita-Kamakura train station. Trail is around 3.5km which is 1hr going to Great Buddha. There is a direct bus also coming from Kamakura train station. Admission fee is 200JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

The Bronze Statue of Amita Buddha Daibutsu or Great Buddha was cast in 1252 by the sculptors of Ono-Goroemon and Tanji-Hisatomo at the request of Miss Idanonotsubone and priest Joko who not only originated to build the big statue and temple covered it but also collected donations from people for it. In 1498 a tidal wave swept away the Great Temple leaving only its foundation stones but did not injure the Buddha's body. The big earthquake in 1923 did not harm the body but destroyed its base. The seated Buddha, Amida Nyorai known the familiar name of the Kamakura Daibutsu is the principle Deity of Kotoko-in Temple which is a national treasure. The height including the pedestal is 13.4m, height of the cast is 11.3m and weighs 121 tons.