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Kamakura Great Buddha (Kōtoku-in)
#46 Globally

🧘 Kamakura Great Buddha (Kōtoku-in)

Japan

About This Sacred Site

The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu) is a monumental bronze statue of Amitābha Buddha, standing 13.35 meters tall and weighing approximately 93 tons. Cast in 1252, the statue originally sat inside a great hall, but a tsunami in 1498 destroyed the building, leaving the Buddha to sit serenely in the open air for over 500 years. The calm expression and meditative pose of the Buddha have made it one of Japan's most beloved and recognized spiritual landmarks.

Key Facts

  • Stands 13.35 meters tall and weighs approximately 93 tons
  • Cast in 1252 during the Kamakura period
  • Has sat in the open air since a tsunami destroyed its housing in 1498
  • Visitors can enter the hollow interior of the statue
  • The face alone is 2.35 meters long

Location

Coordinates: 35.3167, 139.5356

Quick Info
Religion
Buddhism
Country
Japan
Established
1252 CE
Annual Visitors
1.2 million
Significance
Japan's most iconic Buddha statue, symbol of serene endurance
Coordinates
Lat: 35.3167
Lng: 139.5356
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