Kotoku-in est le nom le plus commun du temple Taiizan Kotoku-in Shojosen-ji à Kamakura, dans la préfecture de Kanagawa. Ce temple bouddhiste Jodo-shu est réputé pour son Daibutsu, ou Grand Bouddha, qui est l’une des icônes les plus célèbres du Japon.
La statue, communément connue sous le nom de Kamakura Daibutsu (Grand Bouddha de Kamakura), est une image colossale en cuivre du Bouddha Amitabha. Le Bouddha, qui a été déclaré Trésor national par le gouvernement japonais, mesure environ 11,3 mètres de haut et pèse environ 121 tonnes.
Le Kotoku-in appartient à la secte Jodo, une secte bouddhiste traditionnelle fondée par le prêtre Honen (1133-1212) qui était un adepte d'Amitabha. Selon le système de croyance de la secte Jodo, tous les gens sont égaux et il suffit de chanter le «Nenbutsu» pour recevoir la protection d'Amitabha et renaître dans sa «terre pure».
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Kamakura’s Daibutsu is a beautiful bronze statue built in the mid-13th century (750 years ago). He has been meditating under the sky for about 500 years of those years, after losing the shelter he was originally housed in. When you visit, you might see him soaked in rain, or sweating under the glaring sun, or just enjoying the warm spring sunshine. Whenever you come, his expressive face will touch your heart. Kamakura’s Daibutsu has been kept intact, without any large-scale restorations since it was built.
The temple gate holds a plaque inscribed with Kotoku-in’s official name and houses a pair of Nio (Vajrapani) images inside the gate. Their fearsome faces are the subject of many visitor's photographs. The Nio were imported from another location in the 18th century.
On the inside wall of the corridor to the right facing the Great Buddha rests a pair of huge warazori. The warazori were first woven by children in 1951 with the wish that “the Great Buddha would don them to walk around Japan, bringing happiness to the people.” The Matsuzaka Children’s Club keeps this tradition alive to this day: since 1956, they have continued to make these giant warazori and present them to Kotoku-in once every few years.
A 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Railway Line.
Kamakura merupakan kota pesisir kecil yang berjarak 50km dari Tokyo, dan menawarkan pengalaman berjalan-jalan yang menyenangkan sembari melihat berbagai situs bersejarah, kuil shinto, kuil buddha, termasuk patung Buddha terbesar kedua di Jepang.
En utilisant des produits qui ne sont pas d'origine animale, du riz brun et des légumes frais locaux, Ki to Toki crée des plats végétariens sublimes qui sont non seulement délicieux mais aussi agréables à regarder. Essayez leur menu composé de 17 plats et de boissons fermentées avec dessert et tisane ou café après le repas.
Découvrez le goût dont les habitants de Kamakura sont amoureux. Les génoises moelleuses fourrées à la crème anglaise de New German sont un dessert qui va sans doute vous impressionner. La saveur de crème pâtissière au caramel est particulièrement appréciée par les visiteurs.
Goûtez la célèbre côtelette de porc frite d'Aratama et tombez amoureux de ses saveurs fraîches. Mais le Tonkatsu n'est pas le seul au menu. Ne manquez pas les autres plats d'Aratama comme la mozzarella menchi katsu et la croquette à la crème.
The Kamakura Buddha, also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura, is one of Japan's most revered cultural landmarks. Located at Kotoku-in, a Buddhist temple located in the coastal city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, this majestic bronze statue represents Amida Buddha (Amitabha), the celestial Buddha. Standing approximately 13.35 meters (43.8 feet) tall and weighing around 93 tons, the Kamakura Buddha is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the Great Buddha of Nara. The statue dates back to around 1252 CE during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), a time marked by the rise of the samurai class and the spread of Zen Buddhism. Originally, the statue was housed inside a massive wooden hall. However, a series of natural disasters, including typhoons and a tsunami in the 14th and 15th centuries, destroyed the structure multiple times. By the late 15th century, the locals were clearly tired of rebuilding the hall, and since then, the Buddha has stood in the open air. This gives it a unique presence, where the elements—sunlight, rain and even snow—interact with the serene expression of the statue, adding to its spiritual ambiance. The statue’s craftsmanship is particularly notable. Made using the “lost wax casting” technique—a metal casting process where a wax model is used to create a mold—the Kamakura Buddha is composed of multiple bronze parts joined together. Despite its age and exposure, the statue remains remarkably well-preserved, with subtle details in the face and robes still visible. Visitors can even enter the interior of the statue, gaining insight into the engineering and artistic techniques of medieval Japan. Kotoku-in itself is a temple of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. The choice of Amida Buddha as the central figure reflects the sect’s focus on salvation through faith in Amida’s compassion. Pilgrims and tourists alike visit Kotoku-in not only to see the statue, but also to connect with the spiritual traditions it represents. Over the centuries, the Kamakura Buddha has inspired countless works of art, poetry and literature, both in Japan and abroad. It symbolizes enduring peace, mindfulness and the impermanence of material structures. Today, it stands not just as a religious icon, but also as a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage candidate, embodying the cultural and spiritual heart of Japan.
The Kamakura Buddha, also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura, is one of Japan's most revered cultural landmarks. Located at Kotoku-in, a Buddhist temple located in the coastal city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, this majestic bronze statue represents Amida Buddha (Amitabha), the celestial Buddha. Standing approximately 13.35 meters (43.8 feet) tall and weighing around 93 tons, the Kamakura Buddha is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the Great Buddha of Nara. The statue dates back to around 1252 CE during the Kamakura period, a time marked by the rise of the samurai class and the spread of Zen Buddhism. Originally, the statue was housed inside a massive wooden hall. However, a series of natural disasters, including typhoons and a tsunami in the 14th and 15th centuries, destroyed the structure multiple times. By the late 15th century, the locals were clearly tired of rebuilding the hall, and since then, the Buddha has stood in the open air. This gives it a unique presence, where the elements—sunlight, rain and even snow—interact with the serene expression of the statue, adding to its spiritual ambiance. The statue’s craftsmanship is particularly notable. Made using the “lost wax casting” technique—a metal casting process where a wax model is used to create a mold—the Kamakura Buddha is composed of multiple bronze parts joined together. Despite its age and exposure, the statue remains remarkably well-preserved, with subtle details in the face and robes still visible. Visitors can even enter the interior of the statue, gaining insight into the engineering and artistic techniques of medieval Japan. Kotoku-in itself is a temple of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. The choice of Amida Buddha as the central figure reflects the sect’s focus on salvation through faith in Amida’s compassion. Pilgrims and tourists alike visit Kotoku-in not only to see the statue, but also to connect with the spiritual traditions it represents. Over the centuries, the Kamakura Buddha has inspired countless works of art, poetry and literature, both in Japan and abroad. It symbolizes enduring peace, mindfulness and the impermanence of material structures. Today, it stands not just as a religious icon, but also as a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage candidate, embodying the cultural and spiritual heart of Japan.
Kamakura’s Hasedera Temple, a sister temple to Nara’s temple of the same name, is renowned for its 11-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. This Jodo-sect Buddhist temple is one of the oldest temples in the city and has roots in the eighth century. Legend has it that the monk Tokudo Shonin requested two Kannon statues to be made from a camphor tree in 721. The smaller statue was enshrined at Nara’s temple, while the other one was thrown into the sea as an offering. In 736, the statue washed ashore in Kamakura, and Hasedera was built to enshrine it. Hasedera’s grounds feature a harmonious display of traditionally designed temple buildings interwoven with lush nature and seasonal flowers, making for a peaceful stroll. Thanks to its elevated position, it also offers wonderful views of Kamakura’s townscape and Sagami Bay. The temple’s artfully crafted nature is on full display when you first enter the grounds. The welcoming garden features a pond encircled by plants, the small Benten-do Hall, dedicated to the goddess of music and wisdom, and Benten-kutsu Cave, which contains carved statues of deistic Buddhist figures. If you are hungry, refuel at the temple’s Teraya Cafe, located just before the entrance, or Kaikoan, which is built at an elevated level and boasts large windows with fantastic views of the area. Admission to the temple costs 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children (ages 6 to 11). Parking costs 350 yen for 30 minutes.