Hase-dera Temple Guide

This guide is for travelers visiting the Kannon statue and hillside temple. It answers: “How to visit Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura?”

Quick Facts

• Best for: Temple lovers, garden enthusiasts, photographers
• Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Access: Hase Station (Enoden), 5-minute walk
• Admission: ¥400

Overview

Hase-dera is a hillside temple famous for its large wooden Kannon statue, beautiful gardens, and thousands of small Jizo statues. The elevated position offers views over Kamakura and the ocean.

Highlights

Kannon-do Hall

Houses the 9-meter golden Kannon statue with 11 heads, one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan. No photos inside.

Jizo Statues

Thousands of small stone Jizo figures line the hillside. Placed in memory of unborn children. Moving and atmospheric.

Gardens

Hydrangeas famous in June. Autumn colors. Ocean views from upper terrace.

Benten Cave

Small cave with carved figures. Duck to enter. Atmospheric.

Tips

• Combine with: Great Buddha is 5-minute walk. Do both.
• Hydrangea season: Early-mid June. Very crowded but beautiful.

Getting There

From Narita Airport (NRT)

Recommended (Premium): Take the JR Narita Express (N’EX) (red & white) from Terminal 1 or 2 to Ofuna Station or Kamakura Station in approximately 110 minutes. If the train terminates at Ofuna, transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line 🔵 for a short ride to Kamakura Station. Budget: The JR Sobu Line (Rapid) 🔵 runs directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 140–150 minutes, offering a cheaper fare but with more stops. Terminal 3 users must take a shuttle to Terminal 2 first.

From Haneda Airport (HND)

Recommended (Mid-range): Take the Keikyu Airport Line 🔴 from any terminal (T1, T2, T3) to Yokohama Station. At Yokohama, transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line 🔵 to reach Kamakura Station. The total journey takes approximately 60–70 minutes. Premium: Airport Limousine Buses are available to Yokohama Station or Ofuna Station, from where you can transfer to the JR line to Kamakura.

From Major Stations

• From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yokosuka Line 🔵 directly to Kamakura Station (approximately 60 minutes).
• From Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (red/orange) directly to Kamakura Station (approximately 60 minutes). Alternatively, the Odakyu Line 🔵 to Fujisawa offers a scenic connection via the Enoden tram.
• From Shibuya Station: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (red/orange) directly to Kamakura Station (approximately 55 minutes).

Local Access

Hase-dera Temple is located approximately a 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden). To reach Hase Station, transfer to the Enoden line 🟢 at Kamakura Station (3 stops, approximately 5 minutes). IC cards (Suica, PASMO) are accepted on all trains and buses in the area.

Sources

• Official site: Hase-dera

Last updated: 2026-02-03