Worth it if
Anyone doing a Kamakura day trip who has at least half a day to spare. Travelers who want more than a single sight from the journey.
Skip it if
Very rushed visitors with under 3 hours in Kamakura who need to prioritise the Great Buddha alone.
A Buddhist temple in Kamakura's Hase district housing a 9.18-metre gilded wooden Kannon statue — one of Japan's largest wooden sculptures. The temple complex includes a cave (Benten-kutsu) with small carved stone bodhisattvas, a lower garden with a pond, an upper terrace with views over Kamakura rooftops and the sea, and a small treasury hall.
Hasedera delivers more variety than most single-admission temples: the Kannon hall, a cave to walk through, a garden, and an ocean view. Combined with the Great Buddha (10-minute walk), it gives a Kamakura morning with real depth.
Don't treat it as optional. The cave, garden, Kannon, and sea view together justify the extra visit — and skipping it after making the journey to Kamakura is a common regret.
On the ground
Why locals go
The upper terrace view over the city and sea is one of the better elevated views in the greater Tokyo area. The garden and pond area are maintained well and readable at any season.
What visitors miss
Most visitors who do the Great Buddha turn back toward Kamakura Station without continuing to Hasedera. Adding it requires roughly 60 more minutes and ¥400 — a good trade.
Best combined with
Practical tips
Admission ¥400 (adults), ¥200 (children 6–11).
Hours: Jul–Mar 8:00–17:00, last entry 16:30; Apr–Jun 8:00–17:30, last entry 17:00.
Hydrangea season (June): advance booking or same-day numbered tickets required for the hydrangea path. Check hasedera.jp/en/ for current season access method.
No closures listed.
10-minute walk from Kotoku-in (Great Buddha). Nearest station: Hase (Enoden Line).
Location
Visit info
Best time
Shortly after opening, before midday crowds arrive. In June (hydrangea season), a timed-entry or same-day ticket system applies for the hydrangea path — check hasedera.jp/en/ ahead of your visit.
Time needed
1 hour
Location
Kamakura
Last reviewed: June 2026
Tags
More in
Japan
53 considered places
