#Kanagawa🇯🇵Kenchoji Temple#

Kencho-ji Temple, located in the ancient capital of Kamakura, has a long history. It is not only the first of the Five Mountains in Kamakura, but also the head temple of the Kencho-ji school of the Rinzai sect (head temple: a temple given a special status within a specific Buddhist sect). In 1253, Hojo Tokiyori, who was then the regent, invited a Chinese monk from the Song Dynasty to build a temple in order to pray for the prosperity of the country and build a mausoleum for the Hojo family. According to historical records, there were more than 1,000 monks who practiced in the temple here. The Sanmon Gate (mountain gate), completed in 1775, is considered the face of Kencho-ji Temple: the roof was originally thatched, but is now made of copper. After a major renovation during the Heisei era, the majestic appearance of the past has been restored. At the other end of the three gates, there is a Buddha Hall dedicated to the main deity Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, a Dharma Hall housing the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara statue, an abbot's room (Dragon King Hall) housing the crowned Sakyamuni Tathagata statue, and other magnificent temple buildings standing one after another. In addition, there are three national treasures such as the statue of the founder of the Zen school, Daikaku Zen Master, and three important cultural assets such as the seated statue of Hojo Tokiyori. Take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kita-Kamakura Station, then walk towards Kamakura Station for 20 minutes. #2024TravelReview