Zuisen-ji — Attraction in Kamakura

My family and I visited Zuisen-Ji Temple on July 19, 2020, and parked our vehicle in the parking lot near the admission office at the entrance of the temple. My spouse got out first to make sure we were allowed to park there, and paid the 200 yen each, for our visit. I was in the car, getting my son ready, and grabbing our belongings. We made the quick trip up to the temple and spent about 15 minutes walking around before returning. When we arrived at the bottom, my wife went to the bathroom, and I stood outside, examining the plants and bugs with my son. Suddenly, the elderly man in the admission building began yelling at me “parking no, GO,” beating on the window of the building, and was very aggressive. I showed him our tickets thinking maybe he thought I had not paid since my wife is Asian and I am white, but he persisted. We passed only one couple at the temple, it was around 1 pm, so they weren’t closing, and the parking lot had only one other vehicle parked. We were parked in the designated area, had only been there 20 minutes max, and were doing absolutely nothing wrong. I have lived in Japan for five years, and I have never been...

Located in the somewhat remote Momijigayatsu Valley (Valley of the Autumn Leaves), a visit to Zuizenji Temple is well worth the 30 minute walk from Kamakura Station and the 200 yen entrance fee. It is classified as a historic site and is home to several objects classified as Important Cultural Properties and is a noted Place of Scenic Beauty.

The temple was established in 1327 by Muso Soseki, who was both its founding priest and chief architect. What is special about Zuizenji is the care that Soseki took to create the gardens, which are such a prominent feature that the buildings on the property seem modest by comparison, blending into the natural surroundings. We visited in mid-March, when the Chinese Violet Cress (諸葛菜) we’re in full bloom.

A stop at one of the small cafes in the area on the return trip can round out a very pleasant afternoon in this particularly scenic and historical part...

62.瑞泉寺 アクサス：鎌倉駅から京急バス。[鎌20・4番]大塔宮行き、大塔宮下車 徒歩10分 建　　立：嘉暦2年（1327年） 開　　山：夢窓国師（夢窓疎石） 中興開基：足利基氏 瑞泉寺は、鎌倉公方（鎌倉府の長）の菩提寺（ぼだいじ）として、鎌倉五山に次ぐ関東十刹に列せられた格式のある寺院で、まさに鎌倉らしさを満喫できる史跡です。 御朱印： ①「大雄宝殿」　　　本尊「釈迦牟尼仏」 ②「千手観音菩薩 」　鎌倉三十三観音　　　第六番 ③「どこもく地蔵 」 ...