663highland / CC BY 2.5

Hasedera in Kamakura is a hillside Buddhist temple whose main hall houses a 9.18-metre gilded wooden statue of the eleven-headed Kannon, one of the largest wooden figures in Japan. The grounds climb in terraces from a pond garden at the entrance to an observation deck with an open view over Yuigahama beach and Sagami Bay. A winding hillside path, the Ajisai-michi, is planted with thousands of hydrangeas that draw very large crowds in June. The temple is open daily, and the site also includes a rock-cut Benten cave and the Kannon Museum.

Best season

Year-round

Early to mid-June for the hydrangea path; autumn for foliage; open and worthwhile year-round

Crowd level

Popular

Rating

4.5· 16,935 reviews

Opening hours

Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Admission

Adults ¥400; children aged 6 to 11 ¥200; ¥200 for holders of the Kamakura City Fukuju techo. The Kannon Museum within the grounds charges a separate admission — check the current price on arrival. The June hydrangea path may require an additional timed ticket in peak season.

Nearest station

Hase Station · 6 min walk

Website

hasedera.jp

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