![]() ![]() The dream is said to have occurred in the Year of the Snake, during the Month of the Snake, and on the Day of the Snake, hence later on, the shrine was dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Benten, who is associated with snakes. Guess what? An interesting feature of Zeniarai Benten is that its entrance is a tunnel carved through the rock, and the spring water is used to wash money. The old man told Minamoto Yoritomo that there was a rock beyond which beautiful spring water could be found. It is said that Minamoto Yoritomo had a dream, in which the god Ugafuku appeared in the form of an old man and advised him to build the shrine to bring peace to the country. Near the end of the Heian Period (794–1185), people were suffering from famine. (Image credit: photoAC)ĭid you know? Zeniarai Benten has a very interesting tale regarding its construction. Known commonly as Zeniarai Benten (銭洗弁天), this shrine is believed to increase the wealth of visitors who wash their money there.Įntrance to Zeniarai Benten. Alternatively, take a 10-minute bus ride from the East Exit of JR Kamakura Stationand get off at the Daibutsu-mae bus stop.Īdmission fee: ¥300/adult, ¥150/child (6–12 years old)įrom the Great Buddha, take a pleasant 30-minute walk along the Daibutsu Hiking Course (大仏ハイキングコース), and you will reach Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine (銭洗弁財天宇賀福神社). In the past, visitors could enter the statue and see the interior of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, entry has temporarily been closed.Īddress: 4-2-28, Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016Īccess: 25-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅). The entire statue must have once shined a brilliant gold, but after surviving the outdoor weather for centuries, only a few bits of the gold leaf remain. ![]() However, after numerous natural disasters destroyed the temple buildings, the Great Buddha of Kamakura has been sitting in the open air since the late 15 th century. When it was first built, the Great Buddha of Kamakura was originally coated in gold leaf and housed indoors. The Great Buddha of Kamakura, and close up of remaining gold leaf on its face. Towering at a height of 11.4m (13.4m including the base), this massive bronze statue was cast in 1252, and is located on the temple grounds of Kotoku-in (高徳院 Kо̄tuku-in), a Buddhist temple of the Jodo sect.Ĭast using sо̄fū (宋風) techniques unique to Kamakura, the Great Buddha of Kamakura is designated as a National Treasure, representing Buddhist sculptures from the Kamakura Period (1185–1333). One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Kamakura is the Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏 Kamakura Daibutsu). Let’s check out some of the must-visit spots around Kamakura, the Kyoto of Eastern Japan! With temples and shrines steeped in rich history, well-preserved ancient structures, beautiful beaches, and stunning natural scenery, Kamakura is a go-to destination throughout the year. Places featured in taiga dramas usually enjoy a surge in popularity when the drama airs (like Ueda when the drama “Sanada Maru” aired in 2016). Set in Kamakura and starring Oguri Shun (小栗旬) as Hojo Yoshitoki, the drama tells the story of 13 lords vying for power in Kamakura following Minamoto Yoritomo’s death. In January 2022, NHK started airing its new taiga drama (大河ドラマ historical drama), called “The 13 Lords of the Shogun” (鎌倉殿の13人 Kamakura-dono no Jūsan-nin). Have you heard of the phrase "Iza Kamakura (いざ鎌倉)"? It literally means "Time to go to Kamakura", but figuratively means "In the event of an emergency", and came from the days when samurai would rush to Kamakura (the capital) when something major happened. Located in present-day Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県 Kanagawa-ken), Kamakura served as the country’s political capital from 1185 to 1333, and continued to be the political centre of Eastern Japan for many years after. It was the first time that Japan's de facto capital was shifted from Western Japan (Nara, Kyoto) to Eastern Japan. Did you know? Back in the 12 th century, Kamakura was chosen to be Japan’s new political centre by Minamoto Yoritomo (源頼朝), who established the first military government (幕府 bakufu) in Japan. When planning your first trip to Japan, specifically around Tokyo, you may have come across Kamakura (鎌倉), a small coastal city about a 1-hour train ride from Tokyo. ![]()
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