KanagawaLeisure

Face the iconic Kamakura Great Buddha rising against the blue sky, a must-do photo opportunity

About this spot

A Pure Land Buddhist temple known for its 11-meter-tall National Treasure, the bronze Amitabha Buddha statue, commonly called the "Kamakura Great Buddha." This open-air seated Buddha has graced this spot for over 700 years, and its majestic posture against the blue sky is impressive no matter how many times you see it. The grounds are compact and easy to navigate, and the option to enter the interior of the Buddha statue (additional fee) is also popular. In the late afternoon before the fireworks night, spending time facing the Great Buddha in the quiet grounds provides a nice respite in your bustling day. Don't forget the obligatory souvenir photo.

Fireworks details

Name: 鎌倉花火大会

Date & time: 7/10 (Fri) 19:20–20:10

Venue: 由比ヶ浜・材木座海岸

Shells: approx. 2,500

由比ヶ浜の東隣、滑川を挟んで続く砂浜で、鎌倉花火大会のもうひとつの観覧会場です。打ち上げは両浜の沖合で行われるため花火は正面に大きく見え、由比ヶ浜側より比較的ゆったり座れるのが地元の人にも知られたポイント。19時20分、夜空に約2,500発の花火が次々と開きます。最大の見せ場は、沖を走る花火船から海へ投げ込まれる名物の水中花火。海面すれすれで半円状にパッと開く光は、海辺の花火大会ならではの迫力です。1948年から続く夏の鎌倉の風物詩を、波の音と一緒に砂浜から見上げる50分間は、この1日のクライマックスです。

Tips

由比ヶ浜から滑川の橋を渡って徒歩10分ほど。荒天時は中止(予備日なし)なので、当日の開催可否は鎌倉市の公式発表で確認を。終了直後は鎌倉駅・江ノ電が大混雑するため、フィナーレ後は浜で少し余韻を楽しんでから、和田塚駅や徒歩での分散帰宅がおすすめ。足元が暗いのでスマホのライトで安全に。

Source: trip-kamakura.com

Tips

Take the Enoshima Electric Railway from Kamakura Station and get off at Hase Station; approximately 7 minutes on foot. Admission is 300 yen for adults; the interior viewing requires additional small coins. Be mindful of closing times in the evening (which vary by season); it's safest to enter by mid-afternoon. Hase Temple is about a 5-minute walk away.