Kamakura Daibutsu

Personally my favourite place in Kamakura was Hasedera Temple, but you can't go to Kamakura without paying a visit to the 13.35 meter high Daibutsu. It is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, the tallest being the one at Todaiji Temple in Nara. 

This great statue was originally inside a temple, however due to typhoons and tidal waves it was destroyed many times so since 1495 it has been left standing outside. I quite like the fact that it is out in the open surrounded by trees and sky, not walls.

Out of the two Daibutsu I would say that although the one in Kamakura is more scenic and photogenic, I prefer the one in Nara. This is not because it is bigger but it just feels more mysterious because you can't see the statue until it is towering right in front of you as you enter the temple.

One thing though which I did prefer about the Kamakura Daibutsu was that you can go inside it for an extra ￥20. It was really interesting to see where the neck had been reinforced to stop the head from falling.

Location: Take the Enoden train line from Kamakura Station and get off at Hase Station from where it is a 10 minute walk.
Price: ￥200.
Times: Open every day. March to September 8am to 5:30pm. October to March 8am to 5pm. Statue interior closes at 4:30pm.