[2025 Kamakura Attraction] Travel Guide for Kencho-ji (Updated May)

Kenchoji Temple is said to be the most prestigious temple in Kamakura. There are many important cultural properties of the country. You may have heard the name in history classes. Founded in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori 📿 It is the first Zen temple in Japan. You should definitely see ☑︎The "Cloud Dragon Painting" on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall ☑︎The "Buddha Hall", an important cultural property ☑︎The "Karamon Gate", an important cultural property Everything is so impressive❕ The garden with the Shinji Pond is also well-maintained I felt like my heart was purified✨ It takes about 1-2 hours to look around slowly. 📍Yamanouchi 8, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕰️8:30-16:30 🎫Adults 500 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen #Kanagawa Tourism #Kamakura Trip #Kamakura Tourism #Kenchoji Temple #777

We came to immense ourselves in the beautifully crafted garden and admired the wooden structure of the temple. Its quite a long walk from the station with some upwards slope on a narrow street. This temple complex is lovely. It was made more peaceful by the fact that we got there close to closing time, and there were monks walking around, and a meditation session had just finished, so there was a stream of Japanese ladies wearing kimonos all walking out, very picturesque. Lots of lovely architecture. I would love to spend more time around the monastery walking and admiring the flowers and trees next time. #givethanks #givethanks

Kamakura, the most romantic season in this ancient capital - the hydrangea season. Meigetsuin Temple and Hasedera Temple are famous hydrangea viewing spots in Kamakura, and they interpret the moving flower story in summer with their own unique charm. 1️⃣Kamakura-Hasedera Temple 🌸Best time to visit: Mid-June to early July 🚗 Transportation: Take the Enoden from Kamakura Station to Hase Station, and walk for about 5 minutes. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (March to September), 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (October to February) 💳 Ticket: JPY 400 🌸Flower Viewing Route Sharing🌸 ➡️Morning: Head to Hasedera Temple to avoid the crowds and experience the romance of the "Temple of Flowers." Walk up the "Hydrangea Path" and admire the colorful hydrangeas blooming on both sides, and feel the beauty of summer. ➡️Morning: Ascend the observation deck for a panoramic view of Kamakura's cityscape and the distant sea, feeling the refreshing summer breeze. ➡️Afternoon: Head to the Great Buddha of Kamakura and enjoy the sight of hydrangeas and the Great Buddha complementing each other in the garden of Kotoku-in Temple. 2️⃣Kamakura-Meigetsuin Temple 🌸Best time to visit: Mid-June to early July 🚗 Transportation: Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Kamakura Station to Kita-Kamakura Station, then walk for about 10 minutes 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (June 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM) 💳Tickets: JPY 500 (JPY 1,000 in June) 🌸Flower Route Sharing🌸 ➡️Morning: Head to Meigetsuin Temple to avoid the crowds and experience the tranquil beauty of the "Hydrangea Temple." Stroll along the path leading to the temple gate, where blooming blue hydrangeas on both sides seem to be beckoning you. ➡️Morning: Enter the mountain gate and be greeted by hydrangeas ➡️Afternoon: Head to Kencho-ji Temple to admire the hydrangeas dotting the strolling garden, and experience the fusion of Zen and floral fragrance. The hydrangea season is coming to an end, but fortunately, summer has only just begun. I wish you all a wonderful endless summer 🎏

#Spring0yenTrip Kenchoji, a Zen temple representing Kamakura, was founded by Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 and is the oldest Zen Buddhist training center in Japan. From the moment you pass through the temple gate, you are enveloped in a dignified atmosphere, and it feels as if time is flowing slowly. The sacred atmosphere naturally makes you stand up straight. The highlight is the Sanmon gate, which is about 30 meters high. Its imposing appearance makes it perfect for photos! The temple grounds also include a historic Buddha hall, a lecture hall, and a beautiful garden, allowing you to stroll around the temple in tranquility and calm your mind. The scenery changes with the seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. We also recommend the hiking trail leading to Hansobo on the mountain behind the temple! If you climb a little, you will be able to see a spectacular view of the cityscape of Kamakura and Sagami Bay. If you're lucky, you may even see Mt. Fuji! Kenchoji Temple is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle and spend some time facing yourself. It's a special place where you can forget about the busyness of everyday life and feel your heart lighten. Be sure to stop by when sightseeing in Kamakura.

#Spring0yenTrip Kamakura is a charming town where history and nature coexist in harmony, and has a tranquil atmosphere unique to an ancient capital. The first place we visited was Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It is a shrine where you can feel the history of the Kamakura period, and the spacious grounds and large torii gates were impressive. Genji Pond and the surrounding nature, which can be seen from the grounds, are also beautiful, and it is a place where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. The Great Buddha is also a must-see, and the magnificent height of the Great Buddha statue is overwhelming in its presence, but at the same time, it makes you feel calm. Many temples and historical buildings, such as the old townscape, Hasedera Temple, and Kenchoji Temple, are scattered throughout the city of Kamakura, and you can feel the depth of history just by walking around. Since it is close to the sea, we also visited Yuigahama and Enoshima, and enjoyed the sea views. Kamakura was a relaxing town where historical sites and natural beauty came together.

🌟Hydrangea is also called hydrangea. The hydrangea season in Japan is from late May to early June every year. Today, let’s share 5️⃣ destinations for viewing hydrangeas in Kamakura, Japan‼ ️ - 1️⃣Meigetsu-in Temple (Hydrangea Temple) 🪻Flowering period: early June 📍Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕐Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 (extended to 17:00 in June) 🎫Tickets: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children 🚃Transportation: 10 minutes walk from JR Yokosuka Line "Kitakamakura Station" 🌟Features: 2,000 blue hydrangeas, the "悟り窓" window view in the abbot's courtyard is a masterpiece 2️⃣Hase-dera Temple (Hana no Mitsuji Temple) 🪻Flowering period: mid-June to early July (late blooming varieties can last until the rainy season) 📍Address: 3-11-2 Nagaya, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕐Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30) 🎫Tickets: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary school students 🚃Transportation: 5 minutes walk from Enoden Hase Station 🌟Features: 2,500 hydrangeas of 40 species, the observatory overlooks the sea of ​​flowers and Sagami Bay at the same time 3️⃣ Achiujiuin (Cliff Hydrangea Tunnel) 🪻Flowering period: early to late June (forecast to be in full bloom from June 8, 2025) 📍Address: 1-1-5 Gokurakuji Temple, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕐Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 (may close early on rainy days) 🎫Tickets: Free 🚃Transportation: 3 minutes walk from Enoden "Gokurakuji Station" 🌟Features: 3,000 hydrangeas grow on both sides of the 248 stone steps, and the end faces the sea view 4️⃣ Kenchoji Temple (Zen Flower Garden) 🪻Flowering period: mid-June to early July 📍Address: Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕐Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 🎫Tickets: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for junior high school students 🚃Transportation: 15 minutes walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station 🌟Features: The dry landscape garden collides with hydrangeas, and the steep slope of Bansengfang tests your physical strength but has a high rate of filming📸 5️⃣Yuanjue Temple (Secret Hydrangea Road) 🪻Flowering period: late June to early July (the latest hydrangea blooming spot in Kanto) 📍Address: 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 🕐Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 🎫Tickets: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary school students 🚃Transportation: 1 minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station 🌟Features: Wabi-sabi aesthetics of white hydrangea and moss garden, tea ceremony experience at Fo Ri An (reservation required) - 🚗Transportation 1️⃣Recommended package: Enoshima-Kamakura Pass (1,640 yen from Shinjuku, including round-trip JR + Enoden unlimited rides) 2️⃣ Charter a car for convenient and worry-free travel

#0yentripFebruary2025 The observation deck at the summit is located at the junction of the trail from the Kenchoji trailhead of the Tenen hiking course and the trail from the Meigetsudani trailhead. If you start hiking from Kenchoji, it takes about 5 minutes from Hansobo and about 20 minutes from the Meigetsudani trailhead. If you come from Meigetsudani, the observation deck is a little way down the road towards Kenchoji, so be careful not to pass it by without noticing. #Kamakura #TenenHikingCourse

This temple was built in the style of Zen Buddhism and is a designated important cultural asset of Japan! If you are in Kamakura, why not visit to experience Japanese "Zen"? Points to remember☑️ Kenchoji Temple has a vast area rich in nature, but if you want to see everything, you will have to walk quite a bit, so please wear comfortable clothes. The nearest station is Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, and it is about a 15-minute walk from there. If you take the bus, it is about 5 minutes. 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 247-8525 #0 Yen Travel February 2025

| Niche beauty, through the ancient temples and natural serenity of Kita-Kamakura. As one of Japan's three ancient capitals, Kamakura is more than just the Shonan Coast and the Great Buddha. In my opinion, Kita-Kamakura is the essence of Kamakura. It's a place full of historical and natural charm, perfect for hiking and visiting ancient sites. · This was my second time in Kamakura, and it happened to be the end of the fall foliage season🍁. I spent an afternoon hiking in Kita-Kamakura, and the experience far exceeded my expectations. So, combining culture, nature, and photo spots, I've put together this hiking guide for you. · 🚶🏻‍♂️Hiking Route Kita-Kamakura Station - Engaku-ji Temple - Meigetsu-in Temple - Kencho-ji Temple - Hansobo - Mount Shichimen Observation Deck - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - Komachi-dori Street - Kamakura Station · ⛳Hiking Route Description ✅Kita-Kamakura Station: If you're coming from Tokyo, I recommend getting off at Kita-Kamakura Station instead of Kamakura Station so you don't have to backtrack. The station is small, but the houses along the railway have a quiet, Japanese garden atmosphere. ✅Engaku-ji Temple: Only a 3-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station. It's said that Kawabata Yasunari's "Thousand Cranes" was set here. Engaku-ji Temple, built in 1282, is a typical Song Dynasty-style temple. The Shariden (reliquary hall) is a classic Zen-style building and the only national treasure building in Kamakura. Although the Buddha hall is newly built, the Shakyamuni Buddha inside dates back to the Kamakura period. ✅Meigetsu-in Temple: About a 10-minute walk from Engaku-ji Temple. Meigetsu-in Temple is famous for its hydrangeas and is known as the "Hydrangea Temple." The round window of the main hall is a popular photo spot, offering a view of the courtyard's changing beauty throughout the seasons. Unfortunately, the temple was not open when I went, so I plan to visit again during the hydrangea season. ✅Kencho-ji Temple: A 15-minute walk from Meigetsu-in Temple. Kencho-ji Temple and the mountain forest behind it are the essence of hiking in Kita-Kamakura. Built in 1253, Kencho-ji Temple is the head of the Kamakura Gozan (Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura) and also features a typical Song Dynasty-style. The most noteworthy ancient building in the temple is the Sanmon gate, one of the largest wooden temple gates in Japan. In addition, the temple also has an exquisite Karamon gate, meaning "Chinese-style gable," with black and gold decorations, which is very ornate. ✅Hansobo and Mount Shichimen Observation Deck: Located on the mountain behind Kencho-ji Temple. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Kencho-ji Temple to Hansobo, and about 10 minutes from Hansobo to the Mount Shichimen Observation Deck. Hansobo is named after a half-monk, half-layman practitioner. From here, you can overlook Kencho-ji Temple and the Shonan Coast. The autumn leaves at sunset are quite stunning, and the observation deck next to it offers a distant view of Mount Fuji. Personally, I don't think the Mount Shichimen Observation Deck at the top of the mountain is as beautiful as Hansobo, as there is more vegetation blocking the view. This is also a fork in the road where you can either return the same way or continue along the Tenen Hiking Trail and descend from Zuisen-ji Temple. ✅Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: About a 15-minute walk from Kencho-ji Temple. This is Kamakura's symbolic shrine, dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war, and is one of Japan's three great Hachiman shrines. During the cherry blossom season, there's a famous Dankazura cherry blossom tunnel to photograph. ✅Komachi-dori Street: A must-visit shopping street. After your hike, it's a great place to buy some local Kamakura souvenirs. ✅Kamakura Station: From here, you can return to Tokyo or continue to explore the Shonan Coast.

#tokyostroll Kamakura, just an hour from Tokyo, is a peaceful coastal town full of historic temples and iconic landmarks. Here's how to make the most of your visit: 1. Great Buddha (Daibutsu) Start at the Great Buddha, a 13.35-meter-tall bronze statue. It's one of Japan’s most iconic sights. Don’t miss the chance to enter the statue’s interior to learn more about its history. 2. Hasedera Temple Next, visit Hasedera Temple, home to a wooden statue of Kannon. The temple’s garden and hilltop views make for a peaceful retreat. Tip: Check out the Hase-dera Garden, especially beautiful with hydrangeas in June. 3. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Explore Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura’s most important shrine. The iconic cherry blossoms in spring line the path leading to the shrine. 4. Komachi Dori Street Stroll down Komachi Dori, Kamakura's bustling shopping street. It’s perfect for local snacks like sweet potato ice cream or kibi dango. 5. Kencho-ji Temple Wrap up at Kencho-ji Temple, Japan’s oldest Zen temple. It’s a serene spot with beautiful gardens and a rock garden for quiet reflection. How to Get There: Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station (about 1 hour). Best Time to Visit: Spring for cherry blossoms or Autumn for fall colors. Kamakura offers a mix of peaceful temples, beautiful nature, and historic sites, making it a perfect day trip from Tokyo!

#getgoing2025 In the 5th year of Kencho (1253), Tokiyori Hojo, the fifth regent of the Kamakura bakufu, founded Japan's first specialised dojo by inviting the high priest of the Song Dynasty, Rankei Michitoka, to the opening of the mountain. It flourished as the first place in the Kamakura Five Mountains and is the main temple of the Rinzai sect Kenchoji School, which has more than 400 sider temples. The official name is Kofukusan Kenchoko Kokuzen-ji Temple, and the mountain name Kofuku (Kofuku) is derived from Kofukuro, and the temple name is derived from the year.

#ancienttownvibes Relaxing and quiet temple close to Kamakura, you nit to get off the train at the previous station. It have a resting quiet area in the temple just sitting looking at a little Japanese garden well maintained. Beautiful temples with a magnificent Japanese garden. The site is quite spread with many different temples. We can also hike for 15 minutes and have a view of the city of kamakura and the sea. Also, this temple is not as crowded as the others located in the city centre.Recommended visit.

#FuriTabiWinter [Kenchoji Temple] 🕰️Business hours: 08:30-16:30 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: ◯ 📍Address: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-8525 💰Price per person: 500 and up 💞Reasons why we recommend it: It's about a 20-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station! ︎ It's also said to be the temple where Kenchinjiru was born🤤 The grounds are very large and connected to a hiking trail, so we went up to the top, but it was quite tough😂 Even though we were covered in sweat, the view was great so we were satisfied! It was a day where we were able to feel nature close by♡

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

Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura City is a prestigious Zen temple that ranks first among the Five Mountains of Kamakura. The vast grounds include a beautiful, well-maintained garden, where you can spend a peaceful time. You can also experience zazen, a rare opportunity to come into contact with the spirit of Zen. I wasn't able to make it this time, but it's something that will make you want to try it next time. If you're looking for some quiet time while sightseeing in Kamakura, be sure to visit! #0yentravelNovember

#FuriTabi At Kenchoji Temple, an endless fresh breeze blows through, placing your mind at peace. Kenchoji Temple has always been open to everyone. As the bell (national treasure) built in February 1255 (Kencho 7) reads, this temple is the first in Japan to be called a "Zen temple," and is a specialized training center for practicing only Rinzai Zen, a style from the Chinese Song Dynasty. In general, throughout the Middle Ages, there were many cases of a single temple combining the Tendai sect, Shingon sect, and Jodo sect, so it can be said that a pure temple like Kenchoji, which is one temple and one sect, was very rare.

#FuriTabi Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture It is the first temple in Japan to specialize in Zen Buddhism. The layout of the buildings is Chinese style. It is a national important cultural property☺️ It was amazing to see the magnificent decorations in the spacious grounds. The air was clear and relaxing. The Sanmon Gate, Butsuden, and Lecture Hall were very impressive, and the temple bell, one of the three famous bells in Kamakura and a national treasure, also had a strong presence. Kenchoji Temple is far from the station, so it takes about 15 minutes to walk, but there are many temples in the area, so it is recommended to take a stroll there☺️ If you are interested, please go and check it out. ————————————————————————— 📍Location: Yamanouchi 8, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 15 minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station 🕰️Visiting hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm 💰Price per person: ¥500

When you think of Kita-Kamakura, you think of the familiar "Kenchoji Temple." It is the first full-scale Zen temple in Japan, ranked first among the Kamakura Five Mountains. This is also the place I decided to go to first on my trip to Kita-Kamakura this time. It is one of the largest temples in the Kamakura area, and is a place where you can see important national cultural properties up close. Passing through the impressive main gate that welcomes visitors, the first thing you see when you enter the temple grounds is the magnificent "Sanmon" gate, which is the symbol of this temple and points to the three "enlightenment." It was a magnificent building so large that the entire building could not be captured in the frame of a photo unless you stepped back quite far! Beyond the Sanmon gate, there is a Buddhist hall, a lecture hall, and other large buildings, and in the Buddhist hall, the principal image of this temple, the "Seated Jizo Bodhisattva," which is said to have been created during the Muromachi period, is enshrined! The area where Kenchoji Temple is located was originally called "Jigokudani" (Hell Valley), a place of execution for criminals, and there was a predecessor temple that had Jizo Bodhisattva as its principal image in order to save those who fell into hell. It is said that the temple has made Jizo Bodhisattva its principal image because of this history. 🥸 The ceiling of the lecture hall, which is said to be one of the largest in the Kanto region, is painted with a spectacular cloud dragon painting, and its scale was breathtaking. 🐲 There were also many other things to see, such as the "Bonsho" (Bonsho), one of the "Three Famous Bells of Kamakura" and one of the few temple treasures that has remained since the temple's founding and is also designated as a national treasure, the gorgeous and glittering "Karamon" (Chinese Gate), which is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the "Hansobo" (Hansobo), which is located on the hill of Kenchoji Temple and is lined with Karasu Tengu statues! Personally, I was impressed by the "Obinzuru-sama" (Obinzuru statue) placed under the "Sanmon" (Sanmon)! He is one of the Buddha's disciples, and if you stroke any part of your body that hurts or is unwell, he will heal you with his supernatural powers. I especially stroked his head carefully 😂 There are so many things to see that I stayed at Kenchoji Temple for over an hour. It is a must-see when sightseeing in Kita-Kamakura ✌️ -—————————————— [Access🚃🚌] Get off at Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line and walk for 15 minutes Or take a bus from Kita-Kamakura Station for 5 minutes (Take the Enoshima Electric Railway bus bound for Kamakura Station and get off at Kenchoji) [Visiting hours🕰️] 8:30am - 4:30pm [Admission fee💰] Adults: 500 yen Junior high school students and under: 200 yen -————————————— #Summer trip #Kanagawa Prefecture #Kamakura #Kita-Kamakura #Samurai culture #summerpilgrimage #Kenchoji Temple #temple tour #temple and shrine tour #temples and shrines #important cultural property #camera trip #SLR #canoneosx9i #history tour #places where you can feel history #summer scenery #love traveling #travel record #cutout world #traveling in japan #where should i go next #japan #japantravel #kamakura

#japantrip Being the number one of Kamakura's five great Zen temples, Kenjoji was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era. After passing through the Sanmon gate, you will be able to see the temple bell of the temple. One of the main structure is the Butuseden (Buddha's Hall), and the Hatto (Dharma Hall) and Hojo (Main Hall). The temple also houses many paintings and art works from ex-priests and monks and you will be able to view them at the main temple. It is best visited during spring or summer to enjoy the lush greens within the temple compound.

|Kencho-ji (1508). Kencho-ji in Japan, is the head temple of the Kencho-ji school of the Rinzai sect, ranks first among the five major temples in the Kamakura Gozan, the five Zen temples in Kamakura. The main gate, sanmon, Buddha hall, Dharma hall, abbot's quarters and other garan buildings are arranged in a straight line, with 10 pagodas surrounding it. The buildings at the time of creation have been destroyed by fire, and the later buildings were rebuilt or relocated after the Edo period, and still retain the Chinese Zen architectural style. The temple also has many treasures, such as the national treasure silk painting of Rankei Doryu, the important cultural property wooden lacquered Vairocana altar, and the wooden statue of Hojo Tokiyori, etc., these are all cultural heritage.

#thingstodo This temple was much more exciting than I anticipated. The buildings are very rustic with little paint so it doesnt look very glamorous but that gives it a much more spiritual atmosphere. The main building had colorful cloth and a recognizable ceiling painting. You have to take off your shoes to get inside the building behind the golden gate but there's also a nice resting area with a view of the garden. I think its definitely worth to take a walk or bus here from Kamakura or Ofuna and it's much less crowded too.

#KanagawaSightseeing I went to Kenchoji Temple in Kita-Kamakura. I walked there from Kita-Kamakura Station as a way to explore the area, but it's quite far away, so I recommend taking a bus. The grounds are spacious, and you can take your time to explore the temple while feeling the history. There are other temples and shrines nearby, so it would be even more fun to see them all together.