Hase-dera is a beautiful temple built on the hillside of Kamakura, and it is considered one of the most important temples in Kamakura let alone Japan. Within its main hall, Hase-dera houses a 30 foot gilt wood statue of the Compassion Bodhisattva, Kannon. The story goes that in the 8th century, a famous monk of the time was walking through the woods looking for a proper tree to make a statue of Kannon out of. He came across a tree so big that he would be able to commission two statues. The first statue was made of the lower half of the tree (the smaller of the two) and was kept in Hase-dera in Nara (about an hour and a half south of Kyoto), while the second statue from the upper half was tossed into the sea with a prayer that it would return to shore where and when the people needed its help most. Several decades later, the second statue washed up on shore not far from Kamakura, radiating light. And so, a second Hase-dera was constructed to house the second of these sacred Kannon statues.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 9.

Hase-dera is a temple of delights. Bamboo groves, a small cave to Benzaiten, koi ponds, and a hillside trail full of flowers, Hase-dera is a visual wonderland. The statue of Kannon is awe inspiring and the view of the ocean matches the status of the temple. Though often crowded with tourists, it is a great place to spend time and enjoy the beauty of land and of buildings.

"KAMAKURA HASEDERA." KAMAKURA HASEDERA. Accessed October 12, 2015. http://www.hasedera.jp/en/about/.