Jizo Hall at the Hasedera temple complex is dedicated to the bodhisattva Jizo, protector of children, pregnant women and travelers. (A bodhisattva is a being that has achieved true enlightenment but chose to remain on earth to help others rather than to enter paradise.) It is said that the power of Jizo is as great as the blessings of the earth are vast. Statues of Jizo can be seen all over Japan especially on traditional travel routes. In some legends some connections are made between the similar sound of Jizo and Jesus Christ but this is very much rejected by the main streams of both religions.

According to tradition, in 721 a pious monk carved two images of Kannon (eleven face representations of the bodhisattva) from the trunk of the same camphor tree. The first was enshrined in the current prefecture of Nara but the one sculpted from the lower half was cast into the sea. It washed ashore six years later in the Miura peninsula close to Kamakura. It was enshrined in the present Hasedera and can be seen in the main hall of the temple complex. At 9,18 m it is the largest wooden sculpture in Japan. Photography of the Kannon is strictly forbidden but post cards are available.

However, before reaching the main hall Hasedera has several other attractions. After entering the complex there is a magnificent garden with several water features and some khoi. No matter the season there is always some attractions for photographers.

Towards the far end of the first level is the Benzaiten hall and caves. In is a small hall an eight-armed figure of Benzaiten – a goddess of beauty and wealth –is enshrined. Behind the hall is a small grotto complex with small images of Benzaiten and the 16 children serving her.

Up the first flight of stairs is the Jizo Hall – see the separate entry for the sad significance of the army of small statues at this site.

On the top level is the main hall with the Kannon as well as several smaller structures including a sutra repository containing a revolving library that holds Buddhist scriptures. According to the information sheet "rotating the shelves of the sutra library represents a symbolic reading of the entire Buddhist cannon and thus given equivalent merit". The temple bell was cast in 1264 and is the third oldest in Kamakura. Steep steps behind the small bamboo forest lead to the graveyard, which give a good view over the temple complex. Behind the cafeteria is a viewing platform with views of the roofs of Kamakura houses and the sea in the distance.