As one of the most ancient cities in Japan and being surrounded by beautiful nature such as ocean and mountains, Kamakura is a popular tourist spot for travelers.
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu), is also known as the landmark in Kamakura. Zeniarai Benten Shrine, is famous for the tradition of washing money for praying for prosperity. Kamakura will be the best place for visiting the historical temples and shrines. You can also attend the popular hiking courses around the temples and shrines. Here are the 10 most beautiful Shrines and Temples to see while you travel to Kamakura
Hasedera Temple
Hasedera Temple is home to Japan’s largest wooden-statue of Kannon Bosatsu (Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and popular amongst visitors for its beautiful outdoor garden.
Hasedera Temple was constructed on the mountainside, with views of both the ocean and city. The beautiful garden is blooming with hydrangeas and irises all year round and as such, the temple has also become acclaimed as the ‘flower temple’.
Hasadera Temple If you set aside time to visit Kamakura during your trip to Japan, Hasedera Temple is one of the spots that must be visited during your time in Kamakura city. The wooden carving of the Kannon Bosatsu in the main hall, also known as the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, towers at a colossal height of 9.8 meters and is the largest of its kind domestically. The eleven-faced wooden seated statue of the Kannon Bosatsu has been designated as an important cultural property in Japan. In addition to the significant cultural properties present...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0467-22-6300
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Website
www.hasedera.jp
Hokoku-ji Temple
A bamboo grove, moss and matcha tea. Spend a day of tranquility surrounded by vivid greenery.
Hokoku-ji is a Zen temple that was established 700 years ago. It has been thoughtfully maintained over a long period of time and the lush and beautiful bamboo grove will take your breath away. Have some matcha tea while viewing the forest during a tea ceremony.
The Bamboo Temple with a beautiful bamboo grove At the end of the 12th century, political rule by the military class took root in Kamakura and lasted until 1333. In the Kanto region at Kamakura, which was the capital city longer than Tokyo, even now retains many historical buildings giving an air of the old capital. In the background of those times, Hokoku-ji is a Zen temple belonging to the Kencho-ji school of the Rinzai sect that was built in 1334, after the demise of the Kamakura shogunate. Also known as the Bamboo Temple, it has attracted...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0467-22-0762
Price
- Adult: 200 JPY
With matcha tea 500 yen
Website
www.houkokuji.or.jp
Great Buddha(Kotoku-in)
The Great Buddha: the best sightseeing spot in Kamakura
Kamakura is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, nestled in between the mountains and the ocean and considerably abundant with nature. The Great Buddha of the Kotoku-in Temple has been designated as a National Treasure.
The City of Kamakura. Kamakura is famous as a summer spot where many people enjoy surfing and marine sports along the coast. With its many historical temples and shrines, it’s a place that has an abundance of nature, including the hydrangeas during the rainy season. The local Enoshima Railway linking many of the tourist spots is also popular. Kamakura is one of the recommended tourist spots where you can spend a leisurely time. Also, Kamakura is the site where the Kamakura shogunate was positioned. It is a place that had an enormously impo...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0467-22-0703
Price
- Adult: 200 JPY
- Child: 150 JPY
Website
www.kotoku-in.jp
Kencho-ji Temple
Kencho-ji is Japan’s first Zen temple where you can serenely view the garden and experience meditation.
Kencho-ji is Japan’s oldest Zen temple, which has been in existence since the 13th century. Calmly sense the world of Zen while walking through the large grounds of the solemn temple and viewing the garden of the chief priest.
Feeling the world of Zen Kencho-ji Temple is located between Kamakura and Kita-Kamakura Stations, surrounded by trees and nature in a quiet place. From the 12th century going into the 13th century, Kamakura was going through an age of control by the warrior and a time when learning, culture and religion were flourishing. It was in this region that numerous temples were being constructed. Amongst these temples, Kencho-ji is famous for being the first Zen temple in Japan to be built and is ranked the first amongst Kamakura’s Five Great Zen Te...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0467-22-0981
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Website
www.kenchoji.com
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is filled with nature and its tunnel of cherry blossoms is incredible
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is a shrine located next door to Tokyo in the city of Kamakura. It was established in 1063 by Yoritomo Minamoto, the first shogun of the Kamakura Era. It is the most famous shrine, even amongst 80,000 shrines.
A shrine to enjoy for flowers and history Even amongst the numerous Hachiman shrines, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is a famous shrine that is one of the three great shrines of its type in Japan. Entering the shrine grounds, there is a large and impressive stone stairway. The Senior Shrine at the top of the stairs has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Within the grounds, there are various structures but in the back of the main shrine, there is the shrine repository. There, the National Treasures of the sword and sacred...
Business hours
- Everyday
Phone
0467-22-0315
Price
- Free
Entrance is free but there is an admission to the shrine repository during viewing times.
Website
www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.jp
Engaku-ji Temple
A grand Zen temple that has retained its charm from the Kamakura Era. It must be seen for its National Treasures and fall foliage
Even amongst the Zen temples of the Kamakura Era when the samurai class flourished, Engaku-ji is a historic temple that has been ranked as the second of Kamakura’s Five Mountains. The gently-sloping vista is first-rate, and the changing colors in the fall are especially splendid.
The wonderful beauty of the placement of the temple buildings born from the topography. The construction of Engaku-ji began in 1278 during the Kamakura Era, which was under the authority of the warrior class. At the time, the most powerful man in the nation, Tokimune Hojo, invited the Chinese monk Sogen Mugaku to establish Engaku-ji. The origins of the temple lay in the desire to spread Zen Buddhism to the world, and also to mourn for those who had died protecting the nation during the Mongol invasions. It was here that not only the Japanes...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0467-22-0478
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Meigetsu-in Temple
Nicknamed the Hydrangea Temple. In June 2500 hydrangeas bloom in profusion
Granted two stars in the Michelin Green Guide, Meigetsu-in Temple is famous for its hydrangeas, but what is surprisingly not too well known is that the rear garden is covered in beautifully blossoming irises.
The whimsical hydrangea known as Meigetsu-in Blue The hydrangea of Meigetsu-in are basically restricted to the ancient Japanese variety known as hime ajisai (princess hydrangea), and their blue blossoms at the beginning of June give a refined and mysterious atmosphere to the path from the main gate to the Chuumon gate. The initially light blue blossoms change into a deeper blue as the flowers enlarge. This beautiful appearance is called Meigetsu-in Blue and is greatly admired. The time that the hydrangea start blooming in conjunction with the...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0467-24-3437
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
Website
en.wikipedia.org
Zeniarai Benten Shrine
A popular power spot in Kamakura. Increase your money by washing it!
Zeniarai has the meaning of “washing money”. The popular shrine has the legend that if you wash your money in the spring water there, then it will multiply. Pray at that spring inside the mysterious cave.
Washing money in the spring water on the shrine grounds will increase your wealth The dreams of people who are concerned about money haven’t changed then and haven’t changed now. Zeniarai Benten Ugafuku Shrine, one of Kamakura’s famous sites, is a lucky place where if money is washed in its spring water, then it will increase by many times. The shrine is located 25 minutes away on foot from Kamakura Station. Since the area was long known as an isolated village, it is filled with a spiritual atmosphere within its cave...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0467-25-1081
Price
- Free
Tokei-ji Temple
A temple built in feudal times by a woman for women.
In an era when women could not divorce, Tokei-ji gave refuge to many women who fled to the temple under a law allowing divorce. Currently surrounded by lush greenery, it has been given three stars in the Michelin Green Guide.
A “refuge temple” for women who were suffering Kakusan-ni, the wife of the 8th shogun regent in the Kamakura Era, Tokimune Hojo, established the temple in 1285. The second-ranked institution in a network of five nunneries known as Amagozan, an Emperor’s daughter, a female member of the Toyotomi family and other noblewomen worked as chief priestesses at the temple. Kakusan-ni ran the temple under a divorce law through which women suffering from spousal abuse remain at the temple for 3 years, then the marriage could be null...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0467-22-1663
Price
- Adult: 200 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Website
www.tokeiji.com
Sasuke-Inari Shrine
A shrine that helps in boosting good fortune at work and career promotion
There’s a rising tunnel of over 100 red torii gates. Sasuke-Inari Shrine is a branch shrine of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine in Kyoto. If you are lucky, you may even encounter a squirrel.
Sasuke-Inari Shrine, built in gratitude by Yoritomo Minamoto After destroying his archenemy, the Heike clan, the first shogun of the Kamakura Era, Yoritomo Minamoto established Sasuke-Inari Shrine in gratitude. Following Yoritomo’s success, the shrine was said to have been beneficial for prosperous business, good luck in work and academic achievement. The Inari god became known in olden times to bring results for the harvest. The fox, as an envoy for the Inari god, protects the shrine Climbing the stone steps of the brilliant red...
Phone
0467-22-4711
Price
- Free
Website
en.wikipedia.org
