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See a map of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture showing temples, shrines, hotels and museums.
- Kamakura, The City of Shogun and Temples
- Meigetsu-In（The Temple of Hydrangeas）
- Zeniarai Benten
- Kotoku-In（Kamakura's Great Buddha）
- Hase Kannon（Hase-Dera）
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
- Hokoku-Ji（The Bamboo Temple）
- Bonus Point：Be A Samurai For A Day!
Minamoto no Yorimoto, a samurai in the late 12th century, built a shogunate to lead the samurai classes, which was different from the typical governments of aristocrats. Such a turning point in Japanese history all began in Kamakura. The location was strategic, with rolling hills and a jade green sea. It not only became a mighty capital, but a reli...
Meigetsu-in is a Rinzai Zen temple and it's well known for its beautiful hydrangea blossoms during the rainy season in June. Most of the hydrangea plants in the compound are originated from Japan and when they bloom, the temple bursts forth in different shades of blue and the walk up to the temple from the entrance then feels like a magical path. B...
It is said that Zeniarai Benten is a shrine for a water deity. The shrine is located inside a cave and from within it, a spring flows. People say that if you were to wash your money with the spring's water, your money will multiple in folds. There are small bamboo baskets at the spring for you to put your money in it. Pour the spring water onto you...
Kotoku-in, a Jodo-shu temple houses the second largest Great Buddha in Japan after the Great Buddha in Nara. Kamakura's Great Buddha sits majestically outdoors unlike the Great Buddha in Nara, which is placed indoors. However, the Great Buddha in Kamakura was too once worshipped indoors but due to a tsunami in 1498, it got swept away and when resto...
Hase Kannon, which is also another Jodo-shu temple is not far away from Kotoku-in and its Great Buddha statue. Hase Kannon is famous for its 11-headed wooden Kannon statue that happens to be the biggest one in the whole country. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to take pictures of the grand statue. Within the grounds, there are viewing spots...
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was built during the rule of Minamoto no Yorimoto for a deity that was said to be the protector of Kamakura's samurai clans. This shrine is a popular place for locals to usher in the new year and it is also the most-visited tourist spot in Kamakura. The main building is located deep into the compounds and you will not be able ...
Hokoku-ji, a Rinzai temple has a lush bamboo garden behind the main building. That probably explains why this temple is also fondly called the Bamboo Temple. You'll be able to see stone statues and garden lanterns in every corner of the garden. The tall bamboos create a shade that provides a calm serene atmosphere and when the wind blows, the sound...
To truly immerse yourself in the moment of enjoying the temples and shrines and understanding Japan's history and culture, you can rent costumes that depict the clothes worn in the past. Yes, you can actually be a samurai for a day in modern Japan. The link below will provide more information on how you can go about renting those costumes. Besides ...
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- Kamakura Temples 鎌倉. Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, south west of Tokyo was the center of political power in Japan in the 12th and 13th centuries, known as the Kamakura period of Japanese history.
- Engakuji Temple 円覚寺. Engakuji Temple is the head of a branch school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and was founded in 1282 for the repose of the souls (Japanese, Korean and Mongolian) of those killed in the attempted invasions of Japan by Kublai Khan, which took place on Kyushu in 1274 and 1281.
- Hasedera Temple 長谷観音. Hasedera Temple is famous for having one of the largest wooden statues in Japan, that of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Today, Hasedera belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism, after its initial foundation as a Tendai sect temple.
- Kotoku-in Temple 高徳院. Kotoku-in Temple is the home of the "Daibutsu" or "Great Buddha", an 11.4 meter (37 ft), 121 ton copper statue of the Buddha, constructed in 1252 at the height of Hojo clan power.
- Hokokuji Temple (報国寺) Also called the Bamboo Temple, this former family sanctuary of the Ashikaga warrior clan is especially famous for its mysteriously pretty bamboo grove, the smaller sibling of the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine (鶴岡八幡宮) Kamakura was made into Japan’s de facto capital in the 12th century by the Minamoto family. This made Kamakura the center of politics and culture until 1333, when the power went back to Kyoto.
- Kotoku-in Temple (鎌倉大仏殿高徳院) Known for its large bronze Great Buddha statue, one of the most famous Buddha statues in Japan, Kotoku-in is usually the number one sight on Kamakura travelers’ itineraries.
- Hasedera Temple (長谷寺) This Buddhist temple has so many points of interest on its grounds that you can easily spend 2 hours here. The main deity that is revered here is Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
Nov 18, 2012 · 1 of 8. A Torii, or gate, on Wakamiya-oji avenue. Once you're done with the capital of Japan, why not try an ancient one? Just a couple of hours outside central Tokyo is the tranquil city of Kamakura. Little Kyoto, as it is known, lies beside the sea and is filled with temples (65) and shrines (15).
- Luke Braidwood
Sep 24, 2020 · Here are five temples and shrines worth visiting in Kamakura, Japan, based on their religious importance, historical significance, cultural importance, and scenic quality. Photo credit: Nicole Shi.
May 6, 2019 · Kencho-ji. Engaku-ji. Jufuku-ji. Jochi-ji. Jomyo-ji. There’s a parallel system in place in Kyoto where 5 temples are also arranged in a Gozan system. Map of Kamakura five zen temples (gozan). Map source: openstreetmaps.org. Kencho-ji. Ranked as the first, and most important, Zen temple in the Rinzai sect in Japanese buddhism.
