Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura

Kenchoji (建長寺) is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan and it was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era after which it was named. Its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China.

The first temple hall afterwards is the Butsuden which displays a statue of the Jizo Bodhisattva. Behind the Butsuden stands the Hatto , the largest wooden temple building in eastern Japan. It houses a statue of Kannon and has a dragon painted on its ceiling.

Esteemed as the first Zen training monastery of its kind back in 1253, Kencho-ji Temple’s still reigns supreme, taking the number one spot in Kamakura’s five highest-ranked Zen temples.

Kenchoji's main hall is the Hojo, which originally served as the head priest's residence, but is now used for various purposes.

Travelers should not miss the garden behind the Hojo, which was designed by Zen master Muso Kokushi.

The Hansobo at the far end of the compounds leads up to the Amazono hiking course and there is an amaging observation deck in the Temple.

It takes about 20mins from the Main hall to the viewing platform, but if you climbed up to that, you can see the beautiful Mountains view!!

Kenchoji Temple

Address:
8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture  TEL 467-22-0981
Opening hours : 8:30 - 16:30

Entry fees : Adult ¥500 (High school students and up)
Children ¥300 (Elementary and junior high school students)

Access:
By bus : From JR Kamakura station:At Terminal No.2 take a bus bound for Kenchoji - Ofuna Station, get off at Kenchoji

A 20-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura station towards Kamakura station.
A 30-minute walk from JR Kamakura station east exit towards Kita-Kamakura.