Engaku-Ji
- Published 2010.7.13
Right in front of the JR Kitakamakura Station, the Engaku-ji Temple is one of the five great Rinzai temples of Kamakura, and was built by Tokimune Hōjō, the 8th regent to the Kamakura shogunate in 1282. There is even to this day a place on the temple grounds where zen priests come to meditate, and on weekends there are zen meditation sessions open to the public. It is said that Soseki Natsume and Tōson Shimazaki also once came here to meditate.
Highlights of Engaku-ji
・Sanmon
Said to have been rebuilt in 1785, the Sanmon (large gate) houses statues of the eleven-faced goddess of mercy and the sixteen arhats which are enshrined here.
・Butsunichian
In the interior of the temple grounds, the Butsunichian is where Tokimune made his zen pilgrimage. This is where the eleven-faced goddess of mercy (holy grounds no. 33) is enshrined.
・Butsushariden
The only structure in Kamakura which is a national treasure, the Butsushariden (Hall of Buddha’s ashes) is estimated to have been built in the 15th century (mid-Muromachi period). It is highly valued as a representative of Zen-like architecture, and is normally closed.
Information
| Hours | 8:00 – 16:00 (Until 17:00 from April to October) |
|---|---|
| Holidays | - |
| Fee | 300 yen |
| Access | One minute walk from Kitakamakura Station |
| Address | 40 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Tel | 0467-22-0478 |
| Website | http://www.engakuji.or.jp/index.shtml |
| Map |
