Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaKotoku-in Temple (Great Buddha) Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura is well known throughout Japan as the home of the Great Buddha statue. The statue measures 11.3 meters tall and weighs a whole 121 tons. The temple was founded by the Buddhist monk Honen. The construction of the statue began in 1252, after the monk Joko began to collect donations for it. However, much of the reasons and circumstances behind building the statue is still unknown. The statue was once covered in gold flakes. You can see some of it remaining on its face. For an extra ¥20, you can enter the Great Buddha Statue and see what’s inside.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaMeigetsuin Temple Meigetsuin Temple is famous for its bright blue hydrangeas that blossom every June. Over 2,500 hydrangeas garnish the temple grounds every year, and is one of Kamakura’s best hydrangea spots. The circular window in the temple, called the “satori-no-mado (window of enlightenment)”, represents enlightenment and truth. During the fall season, the view of the fall foliage from the window is exquisite and painting-like. The two gardens you can see from the window are called Karesansui Garden and the Inner Garden. The Inner Garden is open for a limited time in June, when the irises are in full blossom
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaEishoji Temple Eishoji Temple is located in Kamakura City, of southern Kanagawa Prefecture. The temple has a deep relation to the Mito-Tokugawa Family. Eishoji Temple is the only women's temple in Kamakura, founded by Okatsuno-tsubone in 1636. A chief priest has been appointed from daughters of the Mito-Tokugawa family from generation to generation. The Buddhist sanctum, the main gate of the temple, a bell tower, the lay ancestral hall, and the gate of the lay ancestral hall are designated as National Important Cultural Assets. The temple is also known for a large variety and population of flowers. Eishoji offers its visitors different sceneries through the year, with seasonal flowers such as wisterias and red spider lilies. The temple also takes on a vibrant orange coat of leaves in the autumn time. On passing through the little gate at the back of the premises, you will be awe-inspired by the spectacular view of a bamboo grove. At the lecture hall, the temple also offers tea ceremonies at irregular intervals.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaTsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine sits at the foot of Mount Daijinyama. It was built in 1063, and has a deep connection with Minamotono Yoritomo, the first military commander and founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. He moved the shrine to its current location to have the shrine as a form of protection for his government. The god Hachiman enshrined here is said to grant prowess in work and competition. The shrine is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. The road from Yuigahama Beach to the main hall of the shrine has cherry blossoms on both sides, which bloom beautifully in the spring. Throughout the year, many festivals are held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. In the spring and autumn, the Yabusame, a traditional horseback archery festival is held. In the summer, the famous Bonbori Festival is held, where hundreds of paper lanterns are lit throughout the shrine.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaEngakuji Temple Engakuji is a temple located right in front of JR Yokosuka Line’s Kitakamakura station. It was founded in 1282, the latter half of Kamakura era, by Sogen Mugaku, a Zen monk invited from the Song dynasty. Engakuji was named after a scripture called “Engakukyo” that was excavated when this place was first erected, which preaches Mahayana Buddhism. Engakuji ranks second among the “Kamakura Gozan temples”, the five high-class Zen temples in Kamakura. It is also the head temple of Rinzai sect Daihonzan Engakuji Temple. Natsume Soseki, a famous Japanese writer, based his novel, “Mon (the gate)” on “Sanmon”, the gate that symbolizes Engakuji. Engakuji also appears in many other works by Natsume. The scenery of this temple is beautiful every season. Especially besides “Soumon”, the entrance gate of this temple, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in the spring and leaves change colors in the fall.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaAn-yoin Temple An-yoin Temple stands in Kamakura City, in southern Kanazawa Prefecture. The temple is a state-designated important cultural asset, and is famous for its azaleas by the entrance, which bloom in vibrant pink colors in spring. An-yoin Temple was built by Ho-jo Masako in 1225, to pray for of her late husband, Minamoto-no-Yoritomo's wellbeing in the afterlife. Minamoto-no-Yoritomo is a significant historical figure, most known for his role as the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. The temple gets its name from Masako’s posthumous Buddhist name. The main hall enshrines the Amida-Nyoraiza-zo statue, or the Buddha of limitless light, as well as a statue of Masako herself. The temple is dotted with items linked to Masako and the Minamoto clan. One of the highlights of this temple is the Hokyoin-to monument which was erected in 1308. It is said to be the oldest existing stone pagoda in Kamakura. A 700-year old pine tree stands in front of the main hall. Every August 10th, the temple jointly hosts the "Shiman-roku Sennichi Mairi" (46,000 day prayer) festival with Sugimoto-dera Temple and Hase-dera Temple. The event attracts many participants, as it is said that those who make pilgrimages to the shrines on this day are blessed with 46,000 days worth of blessings.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaHasedera Temple Hasedera Temple in Kamakura is said to have been built in the 700s. Its 9-meter statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is a spectacle you can’t miss. The wooden statue is said to be carved out of the same wood that was used to carve the Kannon statue in Hasedera Temple in Nara prefecture. Another must-see sight at Hasedera Temple is the hydrangea garden. Every June, over 2,500 hydrangeas of over 40 different types decorate the temple grounds. The fall foliage is beautiful too. During the autumn season, the temple has a special light-up event in the evening. This is the only temple in Kamakura that holds a special light-up event.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaKenchoji Temple Kenchoji was founded in 1253 by Doryu Rankei, a Zen monk from the Sou Dynasty invited by the 3rd regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, Tokiyori Houjou. Kenchoji ranks first among the “Kamakura Gozan temples”, the five high-class Zen temples in Kamakura. It is also the head temple of Rinzai sect Daihonzan Kenchoji Temple. This temple was established as Japan’s first genuine training center exclusively for Zen Buddhism. Because of this, Kenchoji is made in the Garan layout, a style specific to Zen Buddhist temples. In this layout, the Sanmon gate, Butsu-den (Buddha hall), Hatto (Lecture hall) stand in a straight line. Sanmon gate, Butsu-den and Kara-mon (Chinese style gate) are designated as Japan’s Important Cultural Properties, and Bonsho (a huge temple bell) is designated as a national treasure. This Bonsho is very special as it is referred to as Kamakura’s three best temple bells along with the ones in Enkakuji and Jourakuji.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaEnoshima Shrine Enoshima Shrine locates on the island of Enoshima, just off of the Shonan Coast of Kanagawa prefecture. The shrine is well known as a place to improve your economic fortune. There are three sub-shrines inside the shrine: Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya and Okutsumiya. Hetsumiya is the first of the three that you will encounter when stepping foot into Enoshima Shrine. Then there is Nakatsumiya, which is one of the venues for the Shonan no Hoseki Illumination Event held in the winter. Finally, you will reach Okutsumiya. In Okutsumiya, there is a turtle sculpture that looks as if it is looking in your direction regardless of where you’re looking at it from.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaZuisenji Temple Zuisenji Temple lies on the outskirts of the city of Kamakura. It was built in 1327 by the monk Muso Soseki, and is a branch of Engakuji Temple (also in Kamakura). The temple is well known for its seasonal flowers. Zuisenji is particularly well known for its hydrangeas during the rainy early summer months. The colors range from blue to red to white, and decorate the temple premise with its beautiful blossoms. The temple’s garden is a must-see as well. It is referred to as the “garden of rocks”, as there is a cave on the edge of the garden. The caves were dug out and used as a place to meditate. This is the only garden remaining from the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) in Kamakura.
Category： Shrine / templeArea： Kamakura / EnoshimaHokokuji Temple Hokokuji Temple, locating in the city of Kamakura, was built in 1334 by the Buddhist Monk Tengan-Enko. It is a temple under the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. The bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple is well known for its beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. Over 2,000 bamboo trees grow in the forest, and the view of it is especially pretty during the fall foliage season. At Kyukoan, the tearoom inside the temple, you can enjoy a cup of matcha tea and some Japanese snacks for ¥500. Other spots you can’t miss at Hokokuji are the Karesansui Garden and the Gorinto, the graveyard for Kamakura-era (1185 - 1333) warriors.
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