Things to see - Shrine & Temples

Kenchoji Temple

Kita-Kamakura Area

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 Friday and Saturday.

Basic Information

Address	8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Access	・From JR Kita-Kamakura Station, walk towards Kamakura Station for about 15 minutes ・From the East Exit of JR Kamakura Station, walk towards Kita-Kamakura for about 30 minutes ・From bus stop No. 2 at the East Exit of JR Kamakura Station, take the bus bound for Kenchoji/Ofuna Station and get off at “Kenchoji”
Phone	0467-22-0981
Fees	Adults: 500 yen (high school students and above) Children: 200 yen (elementary and junior high school students) If you have a disability certificate or special education certificate, you and one accompanying person can enter for free. Please pay the fee even if you are hiking in the mountains.
Business Hours	8:30am – 4:30pm
Parking	There is a parking lot for Kenchoji Temple in front of the main gate of the temple grounds. Number of spaces: 20 cars, 5 buses (reservations not accepted) Opening hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm Fee: 600 yen for cars, 2000 yen for buses *Pay for the first hour, then pay in 30 minutes increments. Pay when you leave.