Hase-dera

The main feature at Kamakura's Hase-dera (also known as Hase Kannon) is undoubtedly the 11-faced statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Over nine metres (30 feet) tall, it was carved in 721 out of a single camphor tree. The temple is also famous for its thousands of small Jizo figurines offered in memory of deceased children and babies (including those who were never carried to full term). Hase-dera also has a revolving library containing Buddhist sutras – worshippers causing the library to rotate receive merit equivalent to reading the entire Buddhist canon – and a small network of caves with statues carved out of the rock. The treasure house contains artefacts excavated from the temple during rebuilding.