When you come to Kamakura, you have to pay your respects to the Great Buddha!
The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in has weathered the years, yet still looks solemn and serene, giving off a dignified presence.
I previously saw on a TV show that the Great Buddha is given an annual “cleansing,” with specialists brought in to clean the statue. The spiral curls on its head are cleaned especially carefully, making it a major undertaking.
The Great Buddha also has a little secret—there are actually two windows on its back! These windows aren't decorative. They're there to ventilate the inside of the statue and let in light, while also helping reduce moisture for easier maintenance and preservation. That's another interesting fact I learned from the show.
