Kencho-ji — Attraction in Kamakura

Kenjoji Temple was the first of the five major Zen temples Kamakura and the first Zen temple in Japan. Kenjoji Temple is the main school of the Kenjoji School of Rinzai Buddhism. The temple was founded in 1253 by Governor Tokiyori Hojo at the time. He invited Rankedo Ryu, the Chinese high priest from Nan Song, to open up Japan's first true Zen temple. Sanmon Gate (Sangedatumon Gate) This giant, 20-meter-tall gate was built in 1775 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. This gate is called San Mong. (Abbreviated from Sange Datsumon) along the three gates ("san" in Japanese) that open to enlightenment. This gate is built to wish the visitors the spiritual attainment of this temple. This door has no door yet. This reflects the mercy of the Lord Buddha who never rejected those seeking help. Buddha Hall The Honzon (sacred object) of Kenjo-ji Temple is the Jizobosatsu Buddha, which is enshrined in the Hall of the Buddha. This statue was moved from Zojoji Temple in Chiba. Tokyo in 1647. This hall was originally the mausoleum of the second shogun's wife from the Edo period (1603-1868). The decoration was designed for that shogun's wife. With an interior that is painted in glossy black And the ceiling decorated with beautiful paintings Besides Heon Song There are still many Buddha images enshrined. Both the Garanjin Buddha image, which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Like the Shinpegiso and Sentai Jizo Buddha statues, the building itself is also an important cultural asset in Japan.

Hanzobo Shrine The area of ​​Kenjoji Temple covers the whole valley. And at the very back is Hanzobo. A shrine with the power of guardian spirits in the form of a mysterious Tengu demon Standing about 250 steps above the stone steps, the shrine originally stood at Hokoji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. At the order of the current abbot of Kenchoji Temple in 1890, the entrance is lined with statues of Tenugu that welcome visitors. Hanzobo Shrine also has a beautiful view of Kamakura Temple and the sea. You can also see Mount Fuji if the weather is clear. The path up to the shrine leads to a...

Kenchōji is the No 1 of Kamakura's 5 great Zen temples. It’s the oldest temple in the city. It was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era after which it was named. The temple consists of many temple buildings and subtemples, and stretches from the entrance at the bottom into the hills behind. After passing through the Sanmon gate, on the right side you will find Bonsho (temple bell) that is designated a national treasure. The next structure is Buddha Hall with a statue of the Jizo Bodhisattva. Behind Buddha Hall is the Hatto (Dharma Hall) with statue of Kannon and a dragon painted on its ceiling. Hatto is the largest wooden temple building in eastern Japan. Behind the Hojo there is a pretty garden designed by Zen master Muso Kokushi. Further up the hill by a stairways (15-20 min), you will find Hansobo (a shrine for the protection of Kenchoji) with a small terrace to admire the view over the temple grounds and Kamakura city from the above. When we visited (Oct 2023) Mount Fuji observation deck was closed fore renovation. Further up the hill (another 5 min.), there is a 2nd observation deck with even better views over the entire temple grounds and the city of Kamakura. If you enter the temple ground from the hill' side (for example after trekking from the Engakuji Temple as us), you may but the entry tickets at Hansobo. The temple is open from 08:30 to 16:30. Entrance (Oct 2023) was 500...

The biggest temple in Kamakura. Huge park, many buildings. First, you'll go through two massive wooden gates, the second one big enough to host storytelling event under it. Then a kind of small garden with amazingly old pine trees. After that, a superb wooden praying hall, with a big Buddha statue inside. Next is another praying hall, where zen meditation classes take place. On the right, you can find a traditional closing gate decorated with refined details of metal works. Behind the building, you can sit on the bench to admire a zen garden with a pond. If you continue deeper inside the park, you'll find the insect kingdom, some modern art place made as a tribute to the small life forms. Further on, there's a hill, colored fuschia by flower bushes and guarded by numerous statues of tengu and karasu tengu. On the left side, some very uncommon symbol is engraved in the rock of the hill. From the top, you get a fantastic view over the valley. And then, you can leave the place from there as it is the starting point of several short hikes, leading here and there in Kamakura. Along the way, you can see old graves, most often caves with some small...