1Kita-Kamakura Station

2Kenchoji Temple

This temple ranks first among Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples and is the head temple of the Rinzai Kenchoji Sect of Buddhism. Rankei Doryu, a Buddhist monk from China, spread Zen teaching from this temple. The shogunate had a strong connection to this temple. The principal image is a statue of a seated Jizo Bosatsu (Kshitigarbha). The stately large triple gate, the Buddha hall and the lecture hall are aligned in a straight line starting at the entrance to the temple precinct. There is a huge Chinese juniper tree grown from a seed sown by Doryu. Kenchinjiru soup made with vegetables and tofu is believed to have originated in this temple. A Zen meditation session, open to all, is held every…

3Meigetsuin Temple

Meigetsuin Temple was originally a sub-temple of Zenkoji Temple (now ruined). Meigetsuin is also known as the Hydrangea Temple, and was the first temple in Kamakura to become famous for its gardens. The Meigetsuin yagura tomb, where Buddhist images such as Shaka-nyorai were carved into the rock, is the largest tomb in Kamakura. The garden behind the main hall is open to the public in June for the irises and in November for autumn colors.

4Jochiji Temple

Ranked fourth among Kamakura's Five Great Rinzai Temples, Jochiji Temple, a Rinzai, Engakuji Sect temple, was built to pray for the repose of the soul of Hojo Munemasa (1253-1281), son of Hojo Tokiyori. More than 200 monks attended the 13 th anniversary of the death of Hojo Sadatoki, the ninth regent, held here in1323. Jochiji Temple is one of the largest temples after the three great temples of Kenchoji, Engakuji and Jufukuji. The statues of Amida-nyorai, Shaka-nyorai and Mirokunyorai, which are known as the Sanzebutsu, and which represent the past, the present and the future, are listed as important prefectural cultural assets. The temple precinct is a national historic site. Kamakura's t…

5Engakuji Temple

The eighth regent, Hojo Tokimune (ruled from 12681284), invited Mugaku Sogen from China to establish this Rinzai Sect temple to placate the spirits of warriors who fell in the two battles against the Mongol invaders. This is the head temple of the Rinzai Engakuji Sect and ranks second among Kamakura's Five Great Rinzai Temples. The principal image is a statue of a seated Hokan Shaka-nyorai. The garden with ponds, including the Myokoike Pond and the Byakuroike Pond, is listed as a national scenic site. Shariden Reliquary Hall from the defunct Taiheiji Temple was moved to this temple precinct. The hall is a remarkable structure from the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) and is listed as a National…