Daibutsu Hiking Trail
Daibutsu Hiking Trail (Daibutsu Hiking Path) is a short point-to-point day hike in Kamakura’s wooded hills, mapped here as a ~2.01 km route. It links Jochi-ji near Kita-Kamakura with Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) in the Hase area, so you’re effectively moving from the north side of the city to the Great Buddha area in the west/southwest hills.
The route runs along ridge terrain with repeated climbs and descents on dirt paths through dense forest. Expect some exposed tree roots and rocks, plus sections that can feel steep even though the overall distance stays short.
Trail character centers on a chain of small shrines and temple stops along the hillside. Common highlights along this course include Kuzuharaoka Shrine, Genjiyama Park, Zeniarai Benten (money-washing) and Sasuke Inari-jinja, plus Jufuku-ji as you near the Jochi-ji/Kita-Kamakura end.
Timing on the trail is typically about 1.5–2 hours of walking time, with more time if you add shrine visits. As a rule of thumb, plan on roughly a couple of hours for the full route experience rather than a fast in-and-out.
Access is set up for starting from either end: you can start from Kita-Kamakura by getting to Jochi-ji, then enter the trail from behind the temple grounds; or start from Kamakura Station and reach the Kotoku-in area via the Daibutsu-mae stop to find the tunnel-side trail entrance after passing Kotoku-in.
Start with footwear that can handle uneven dirt and roots; after rainfall the route is described as getting slippery and muddy. If you’re hiking in hotter months, basic insect protection helps for long time in the forest.
Kamakura context matters here: the course was curated as a “famous hike” route that strings together heritage stops in a natural pocket away from the main seaside tourist streets, so the experience is as much about moving between cultural sites as it is about the short ridge hike. A longer cultural visit around Kamakura’s landmarks usually fits well with this half-day loop-style effort even though the route itself is brief.
More information: Wikipedia, Daibutsu Hiking Trail - The Hills in Western Kamakura, the daibutsu hiking course: a love shrine and a money ...