Kenchoji Temple

4.5

A 15 minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station. This celebrated Buddhist temple, the head temple of Rinzai Kenchoji Buddhism, is the first of the “Kamakura Gozan” (Five Mountain Temples of Kamakura) and was also Japan’s first Zen Buddhist temple. The temple was founded by Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, and the monk Lanxi Daolong. The highlight of the temple is its garden, which was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site in 1932. The ancient Chinese junipers growing in front of the temple and the garden pond behind the abbot’s chamber are particularly famous for their beauty. The temple also periodically holds sutra copying and zazen meditation sessions which enable average people to experience Zen training.

Spot details

Address: Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yamanouchi 8 Map
Area: Kamakura Area
Phone: 0467220981
Hours: [Hours]8:30-16:30
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee] [High school students and above] 500yen [Small/Junior high school students] 200yen
Parking Lot: Available (20spaces) * Standard size 600yen for 1 hour, 300yen every 30 minutes thereafter
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Possible (lead required)

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

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Review

Kenchoji:From mysterious Buddha halls to protecting mountain shrines

Reviewed : 2021.07.01

The Kenchoji is one of Kamakura’s most important Zen temples and has many great historic sites and nature spots to offer. From the mysterious Butsuden Buddha Hall, a garden designed by a Zen master...
Nice big temple

Reviewed : 2020.05.26

Kencho-ji is one of the 5 big zen temples in Kamakura. Its quite big and very well taken care of. The area is very calm and its very nice to walk around. In addition to the main temple area, there...
Wonderful, peaceful and surprisingly quiet

Reviewed : 2020.03.16

Very beautiful temple that is still a working monastery as well. there is an easy to follow guided map and plenty of information to explain the various buildings and points of interest. We spend...