The giant Buddha at Kamakura is a very short train ride from Yokosuka where we were staying.  However, every time we visit we choose to go further into Tokyo or some other extravagant activity and bypass Kamakura because it’s too “easy” and I’ve never actually been there!  However, we decided that today was the day!

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amitābha Buddha located at the Kōtoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The bronze statue probably dates from 1252, in the Kamakura period, according to temple records

The great Buddha is exactly as advertised at 43.8′ tall.  I don’t know a lot about Buddhism and its customs in general, so I’m always fascinated by all of the incense, candles, and all the religious stuff that goes on there.  Overall the town of Kamakura was way cuter than I thought it would be (we got our fill of shopping!) and the Buddha was really cool!