Marimari.com : Japan - Southwest of Tokyo

The National Treasure Museum, or Kokuho-kan, is one museum that should not be missed as it provides visitors the chance to see Kamakuran art, which have mostly been hidden in temples. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Mondays.

Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu)

Completed in 1252, the Great Buddha is Kamakura's most famous sight. The huge hall that once housed it was washed away by a tsunami in 1495, thus leaving the grand statue exposed. The statue is 11.4m tall, cast in bronze, and has a weight close to 850 tons. Although the statue does not match Nara's statue - another bigger Buddha statue - in stature, it is agreed that the statue in Kamakura is more artistic. The Buddha itself is the Amida Buddha, which is worshipped by the followers of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect as a figure of salvation. The Great Buddha opens daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To reach the statue, take a bus from the No. 2, 7, or 10 bus stop in front of Kamakura station and get off at the Daibutsu-mae bus stop.

Hase-dera Temple

Also known as Hase Kannon Temple, the temple grounds have a garden and an interesting collection of statues of Jizo, patron saint of the souls of departed children. The statues are clothed to keep them warm by women who have lost children either by abortion or miscarriage. However, the main interest here is the statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy, who is the emblem of infinite compassion. Together with Jizo, the goddess is one of Japan's most popular Buddhist deities.

The 11 faced Kannon statue is a 9m carved wood and is believed to date back to the 8th Century. The 11 faces are actually made up of one major face and 10 minor faces. The 10 faces represent 10 stages of enlightenment. It is also commonly believed that the 11 faces allow the goddess to cast an eye in every direction, thus constantly alert for those in need of her assistance.

The temple is located near the Daibutsu-mae bus stop and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. during the months of October to February. It closes at 5:40 p.m. throughout the rest of the year.

Sugimoto-dera Temple

Founded in 734AD, the Sugimoto-dera Temple is thought to be the oldest temple in Kamakura. It is guarded well by two ferocious temple guardians placed on both sides of the entrance. The temple houses three Kannon statues, although they are not as grand as the one in Hase-dera Temple. The temple is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To get to the temple, take a bus from the No. 5 bus stop in front of Kamakura station and alight at the Sugimoto Kannon bus stop.

The Miura-hanto Peninsula is better suited for long-term residents, with its beaches, marine parks, harbors, and tropical gardens. The cheapest and easiest way to Miura-hanto is by the Keihin Kyuko line from Tokyo or Shinagawa station, which will stop at the Misaki-guchi station. From the latter, visitors can take the numerous trains or buses around the Peninsula. An alternative would be to take the Yokosuka line, which passes Kamakura, also from Tokyo or Shinagawa station.