Hasedera

Perched on a hillside overlooking Kamakura and Sagami Bay, Hasedera houses a magnificent 9-meter wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, said to have been carved in the 8th century from the same camphor tree as its twin statue in Nara's Hase-dera. The temple's grounds cascade down the hillside in terraced gardens bursting with seasonal flowers, hydrangeas in June, autumn maple leaves, and winter plum blossoms. An atmospheric cave containing countless small Jizo statues and the panoramic view from the observation platform make this one of Kamakura's most rewarding temple visits.