Buddhist temple
Kōtoku-in
高徳院（こうとくいん）
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
A Jōdo-school temple in Hase, Kamakura, whose principal image is the bronze seated Amida Nyorai known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a National Treasure. It is famed as the Great Buddha that sits in the open air.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Amida Nyorai (bronze seated statue, National Treasure; the Great Buddha of Kamakura)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, the Azuma Kagami records that construction of the Great Buddha began in Kenchō 4 (1252), and it is also said that donations collected by the priest Jōkō were used for it. The hall that housed the Great Buddha was damaged by great winds and by the great earthquake of Meiō 7 (1498), and in the mid-Edo period Yūten and others repaired the statue and revived Kōtoku-in.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
There is no parking in the temple grounds.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 高徳院「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.