38 Sights in Kamakura, Japan (with Map and Images)

Kotokuin is a Jodo sect temple located in Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The main statue is the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a national treasure bronze statue of Amida Buddha. Officially, it is named Daiisan Kotokuin Seisenji Temple. Kaiki (founder) and Kaizan (first resident) are both unknown.

Wikipedia: 鎌倉大仏 (JA)

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine , popularly known simply as Zeniarai Benten, is a Shinto shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. In spite of its small size, it is the second most popular spot in Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture after Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū. Zeniarai Benzaiten is popular among tourists because the waters of a spring in its cave are said to be able to multiply the money washed in it. The object of worship is a syncretic kami which fuses a traditional spirit called Ugafukujin (宇賀福神) with the Buddhist goddess of Indian origin Sarasvati, known in Japanese as Benzaiten. The shrine is one of the minority in Japan which still shows the fusion of native religious beliefs and foreign Buddhism which was normal before the Meiji restoration. Zeniarai Benzaiten used to be an external massha of Ōgigayatsu's Yazaka Daijin (八坂大神), but became independent in 1970 under its present name.

Wikipedia: Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine (EN)

Hōkizan Chōju Zenji (宝亀山長寿禅寺) is a Rinzai Buddhist temple of the Kenchō-ji school in Yamanouchi, near Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It lies between two Kita-Kamakura landmarks, the entrance of the Kamegayatsu Pass and Kenchō-ji, the oldest Zen monastery in Japan. Chōju-ji is one of two bodaiji (菩提寺), or funeral temples, dedicated to Ashikaga Takauji, founder of the dynasty of shōguns that carries his name. In its garden there are a gorintō dedicated to the shōgun and a hōkyōintō containing some of his hair. Chōju-ji has recently opened for the first time its doors, and receives visitors from Friday to Sunday, 10 AM to 3 PM. The temple allows the use of pocket cameras, however professional and semiprofessional equipment are forbidden, the reason being that visitors should not visit the temple to take photographs.

Wikipedia: Chōju-ji (Kamakura) (EN)

Kinryūzan Shakuman-in Endon Hōkai-ji (金龍山釈満院円頓宝戒寺) is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Often called Hagidera (萩寺), or "bush-clover temple", because those flowers are numerous in its garden, its existence is directly linked to a famous tragedy that on July 4, 1333 wiped out almost the entire Hōjō clan, ruler of Japan for 135 years. The temple was founded expressly to enshrine the souls of the 870 members of the clan who, in accordance with the samurai code of honor, committed suicide on that day at their family temple (bodaiji) of Tōshō-ji to escape defeat. Together with ancient Sugimoto-dera, Hōkai-ji is the only temple of the Tendai denomination in Kamakura. Formerly a branch temple of the great Kan'ei-ji, after its destruction it became a branch of Enryaku-ji.

Wikipedia: Hōkai-ji (EN)

Tōkasan Jōmyō Zenji (稲荷山浄妙寺) is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Rinzai sect, Kenchō-ji school, in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Jōmyō-ji is Number Five of the five temples known as Kamakura Gozan, and the only one of the five not founded by a member of the Hōjō clan. Jōmyō-ji has instead, as nearby Zuisen-ji, deep ties with the Ashikaga clan, and was one of the family's funeral temples (bodaiji). For this reason the family's kamon, or crest, is ubiquitous on its premises. The first three characters of its full name mean "Inari mountain", presumably from the hill of the same name where it stands, in its turn named after an ancient Inari myth. Jōmyō-ji has given its name to the surrounding area, the characters for which have been however deliberately changed from 浄妙寺 to 浄明寺.

Wikipedia: Jōmyō-ji (EN)

Kakuonji (Kakuonji) is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect Senjōji school located in Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is called Washimine Mountain. The main son is Yakushi Sanson, the opening is Hojo Sadatoki, and the opening is Chikai Shinkei. It is a temple that gathers the veneration of successive generations of the Kamakura shogunate Hojo family. Located in the back of Yato, north of the Kanazawa Kaido connecting Sagami Province and Musashi Province, the precincts and surrounding areas are well preserved, and it is said to be one of the best remnants of Kamakura before urbanization. The precincts are designated as a national historic site.

Wikipedia: 覚園寺 (JA)

Tenshōzan Renge-in Kōmyō-ji (天照山蓮華院光明寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Jōdo sect in Zaimokuza, near Kamakura, Japan, the only major one in the city to be close to the sea. Kōmyō-ji is number one among the Kantō Jūhachi Danrin (関東十八檀林), a group of 18 Jōdo temples established during the Edo period by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and dedicated to both the training of priests and scholarly research. It is also the sect's head temple for the Kantō region. In spite of the fact it is a Jōdo sect temple, Kōmyō-ji has several of the typical features of a Zen temple, for example a sanmon, a pond and a karesansui.

Wikipedia: Kōmyō-ji (Kamakura) (EN)

Matsugaoka Tōkei-ji (松岡山東慶寺), also known as Kakekomi-dera (駆け込み寺) or Enkiri-dera (縁切り寺), is a Buddhist temple and a former nunnery, the only survivor of a network of five nunneries called Amagozan (尼五山), in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the Rinzai school of Zen's Engaku-ji branch, and was opened by Hōjō Sadatoki and founding abbess Kakusan-ni in 1285. It is best known as a historic refuge for women who were abused by their husbands. It is for this reason sometimes referred to as the "Divorce Temple".

Wikipedia: Tōkei-ji (EN)

The Kamakura Museum of Literature is a small museum in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, that contains material about writers who have lived, died, or were active in the city of Kamakura itself. The museum displays personal effects, manuscripts, first editions, and documents owned by well over a hundred writers of Japanese literature, including Natsume Sōseki and Kawabata Yasunari, as well as film director Yasujirō Ozu. The villa that hosts the museum, its large garden and its rose garden are also of great interest.

Wikipedia: Kamakura Museum of Literature (EN)

The Kamakura Museum of National Treasures or Kamakura Museum or Kamakura National Treasure House is a museum located on the grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū in Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The museum houses around 4800 objects from the Kamakura region including sculptures, paintings and industrial art objects. Most of these works originate from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, spanning from the 12th to the 16th century. Some of the items were produced in China and imported to Japan.

Wikipedia: Kamakura Museum of National Treasures (EN), Website

Sugimoto-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, one of the oldest temples in Kamakura and, together with Hōkai-ji, the only one of the Tendai denomination. The temple is Number one of the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage circuit. Two of the three statues of goddess Kannon it enshrines are Important Cultural Properties. Sugimotodera is nicknamed Geba Kannon, because horsemen never failed to dismount from their steeds when they passed by. The temple is a branch temple of Hōkai-ji.

Wikipedia: Sugimoto-dera (EN), Website

Hatakeyama Rokurō Shigeyasu (畠山六郎重保) was a Kamakura period warrior who fell victim of political intrigue in 1205. The grave under a tabu no ki tree near the Yuigahama end of Wakamiya Ōji Avenue in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan and next to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū's first torii is traditionally supposed to be his. It is an Important Cultural Property and a famous example of hōkyōintō. Famous for the quality of its manufacture, the hōkyōintō' is 3.45 m tall and is made of andesite.

Wikipedia: Hatakeyama Shigeyasu's grave (EN)

Jōkōmyōji Temple is a temple of the Shingon sect Senjōji school located in Ogigaya, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Izumiyayama. It was founded by Hojo Nagatoki. The opening of the mountain is Maa. The main statue is Amitabha Buddha. It is a temple closely related to the Hojo and Ashikaga clans, and Ashikaga Takashi says that he was trapped in this temple just before raising troops against Emperor Go-Daigo. No. 82 of the 88 sacred sites in New Shikoku East Province.

Wikipedia: 浄光明寺 (JA)

Kikokuzan Kongō Jufuku Zenji (亀谷山金剛寿福禅寺), usually known as Jufuku-ji, is a temple of the Kenchō-ji branch of the Rinzai sect and the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Ranked third among Kamakura's prestigious Five Mountains, it is number 24 among the Thirty-Three Kamakura Kannon pilgrimage temples and number 18 of the Kamakura Nijūyon Jizō (鎌倉二十四地蔵) temples. Its main object of worship is Shaka Nyorai.

Wikipedia: Jufuku-ji (EN)

Shinbayashi Park (新林公園, Shinbayashi Koen) is an urban park (general park) in Fujisawa City, which was opened on March 31, 1980 (Showa 55) using the hills and Yatoda in the southernmost part of the same district of Kawana, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Despite being close to the city center, it is blessed with abundant nature, where you can come into contact with nature and preserve cultural properties.

Wikipedia: 新林公園 (JA)

Kenchō-ji (建長寺) is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which ranks first among Kamakura's so-called Five Great Zen Temples and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. These temples were at the top of the Five Mountain System, a network of Zen temples started by the Hōjō Regents. Still very large, it originally had a full shichidō garan and 49 subtemples.

Wikipedia: Kenchō-ji (EN)

Gionzan An’yō-in Chōraku-ji (祇園山安養院長楽寺) is a Jōdo shū Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Famous for its rhododendrons, it was named after its founder's posthumous name. The main object of worship is Amida Nyorai, but it also enshrines Senju Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. An’yō-in is Number three of the 33 temples of the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage circuit.

Wikipedia: An'yō-in (Kamakura) (EN)

Myōdenji is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Ogigaya, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Tahogaya Mountain (formerly Shoshinzan). The former main mountain is Mimatsu Reneiji Temple. It belongs to the parent-master law relationship. The precincts are said to be the ruins of Izumigaya Tahoji Temple, which was opened by Ninja in the 2nd year of Kocho (1262).

Wikipedia: 妙伝寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Seirenji Temple (青蓮寺) is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Tehiro, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The end of Koyasan Hojuin (無量寿院). For details, it is named Iimoriyama Nioin Seirenji Temple. Koyasan Shingon sect quasi-bekkai honzan. Kanto 88 Sho 59th Ticket Office, Higashikoku Shin-Shikoku 88th Ticket Office, Sōshū 21st Place 19th Ticket Office.

Wikipedia: 青蓮寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Ryūkō-ji (龍口寺) is a temple of the Nichiren Shū in the city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It stands on the site of the former Tatsukuchi Execution Grounds, and its name uses the same two kanji meaning "dragon mouth"(龍口). It was here that Nichiren, namesake of the Buddhist sect, was to have been executed. It was founded in 1337 by Nippō, a disciple of Nichiren.

Wikipedia: Ryūkō-ji (Fujisawa) (EN), Website

Hongakuji Temple (本覚寺) is the main temple of Nichiren Buddhism located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Myogonzan. The main statue is a statue of Shakyamuni. It is also called "Higashi Minobu" because it divided the remains of Nichiren at Kuonji Temple on Mount Minobu. It is located near Kamakura Station.

Wikipedia: 本覚寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Jōraku-ji (常楽寺) is a temple of the Rinzai sect Kenchoji sect located in Ofuna, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Mt. Awafune. The main statue is the three sons of Amida. It was founded in the 3rd year of Kasada (1237), and the foundation was opened by Hojo Yasutoki, and the opening of the mountain was retreated.

Wikipedia: 常楽寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Amanawa Shinmei Shrine was founded in 710 and is the oldest Shinto shrine in Kamakura. It is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. According to the ancient document History of Amanawa-ji Shinmei-gū kept by the shrine, the founder of the shrine is famous priest Gyōki; a powerful and rich man named Tokitada Someya supported the construction.

Wikipedia: Amanawa Shinmei Shrine (EN)

Kinpōzan Jōchi-ji (金宝山浄智寺) is a Buddhist Zen temple in Kita-Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It belongs to the Engaku-ji school of the Rinzai sect and is ranked fourth among Kamakura's Five Mountains. The main objects of worship are the three statues of Shaka, Miroku and Amida Nyorai visible inside the main hall.

Wikipedia: Jōchi-ji (EN)

Zuirokusan Engaku Kōshō Zenji (瑞鹿山円覚興聖禅寺), or Engaku-ji (円覚寺), is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan and is ranked second among Kamakura's Five Mountains. It is situated in the city of Kamakura, in Kanagawa Prefecture to the south of Tokyo.

Wikipedia: Engaku-ji (EN)

Fugenzan Meigetsu-in (福源山明月院) is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchō-ji school in Kita-Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Famous for its hydrangeas, it's also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess Shō Kannon (聖観音).

Wikipedia: Meigetsu-in (EN)

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū (鶴岡八幡宮) is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is a cultural center of the city of Kamakura and serves as the venue of many of its most important festivals with two museums.

Wikipedia: Tsurugaoka Hachimangū (EN), Website

Tōzenji Temple (東漸寺) is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Koshigoe, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The former main mountain is the main temple of the Great Honzan Hokke Sutra Temple. Konishi Hōen. One of the Ryuguchiji Rinban Hachigaji Temple.

Wikipedia: 東漸寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Daigyōji Temple (大巧寺) is a Nichiren sect temple located in Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It does not have a specific Danka family and is known as a temple that prays for safe birth. The former main mountain is Hikigaya Myohonji.

Wikipedia: 大巧寺 (JA)

Myōhon-ji (妙本寺) is one of the oldest Nichiren sect temples in Kamakura, Kanagawa. Its official name is Chōkō-zan Myōhon-ji (長興山妙本寺). "Chōkō" comes from the posthumous name of Nichiren's father and "Myōhon" from his mother's.

Wikipedia: Myōhon-ji (EN)

Honjoji Temple (本joji) is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Koshigoe, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The former main mountain is Komachi Honkakuji Temple, Shioshi Hōen. One of the Ryuguchiji Rinban Hachigaji Temple.

Wikipedia: 本成寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Ryuguchimei Shrine (龍口明神社, Ryukomyōjinsha) is a Shinto shrine located in Koshigoe, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is said to have been built in 538, making it the oldest existing shrine in Kamakura City.

Wikipedia: 龍口明神社 (JA)

Kōtoku-in (高徳院) is a Buddhist temple of the Jōdo-shū sect, in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Its mountain name is Taiizan (大異山), and its common temple name is Shōjōsen-ji (清浄泉寺).

Wikipedia: Kōtoku-in (EN), Website

Myōtenji Temple is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Koshigoe, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The former main mountain is Hikigaya Myohonji Temple, Ikegami Hōen. One of the Ryuguchiji Rinban Hachigaji Temple.

Wikipedia: 妙典寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Gokuraku-ji (極楽寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1259 by Ninshō (1217-1303) and has been restored and rebuilt many times since then.

Wikipedia: Gokuraku-ji (Kamakura) (EN)

Kosokuji Temple is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Gyotokiyama. The former main mountain is Hikigaya Myohonji. Ikegami-Dotomi store Hōen.

Wikipedia: 光則寺 (JA)

Manfu Temple is located in Yaoyue, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Get off at Yaoyue Station of Jiangzhidao Electric Railway, about 250 meters to the coast, and you will arrive after crossing the crossing.

Wikipedia: 満福寺 (鎌倉市) (JA)

Kaizoji Temple (海蔵寺) is a temple of the Rinzai sect Kenchoji sect located in Ogigaya, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The mountain number is Mt. Ogiya. The main statue is Yakushi Nyorai.

Wikipedia: 海蔵寺 (JA)