Engakuji Temple is the head of a branch school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It is very close to Kita-Kamakura station and houses the largest bell in Kamakura.
Engakuji was founded in 1282 for the repose of the souls (both Japanese and Mongolian) of those killed in the attempted invasions of Japan by Kublai Khan in 1274 and 1281. It is one of the five major Rinzai Zen temples, its first abbot having been Chinese. Many of its buildings were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Therefore, most of the buildings standing now are 20th century reconstructions.
Engakuji became especially prominent as a major Zen temple in the 19th century when Zen began to spread to Western countries.
Check out the Shari-den , or Shrine of the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha, housing the relic gifted to the Shogun Sanetomo Minamoto from China. Built in the 13th century Kara (i.e. Chinese) style, the building itself is a National Treasure.
The Hakuroku-do or Cave of the White Deer, is where a herd of divine white deer are said to have emerged from to listen to the sermon of the temple's founder the day it opened.
Engakuji has a particularly massive gate at the top of the long flight of steps leading up to it that is unusual in its supporting posts being totally exposed. The spacious wood-like grounds with their many sub-temples ring with the sounds of birdlife and are ideal for strolling through in the late afternoon. Engakuji offers early morning zen meditation sessions throughout the year: 5.30-6.30am Apr-Oct, 6-7am Nov-Mar.
Tokeiji Temple
On the other side of the railway from Engakuji is Tokeiji Temple , also a Rinzai Zen temple, founded in 1285 as a convent by the widow of the Hojo Regent Sadatoki, and who by birth was a member of the Adachi clan that the Hojo defeated. It was known as the 'Divorce Temple' as it offered refuge to women who took advantage of laws promulgated by Sadatoki allowing them respite from abusive husbands and mothers-in-law.
Until the very beginning of the 20th century it was a Buddhist nunnery. It is characterized by particularly beautiful and meticulously tended gardens, elegantly laid-out in a natural style and showcasing a wide variety of exquisite blooms.
Jochiji Temple
Jochiji Temple is right next to Tokeiji. Founded in 1238, it is a branch temple of Engakuji, and is ranked fourth of Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. It is most famous for its "Kanro-no-Ido" or "Nectar Well", as the water that it gives is said to be free of the saltiness of most wells in the area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Kamakura Hostel
Head back down to Kamakura station and there is another area of temples and shrines starting from very near the station and stretching out east in a radius of over a kilometer. By far the major sight in this area is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine lies about about 800m (½ mile) NNE of the station. The shrine was founded in 1063 by Yoriyoshi Minamoto, dedicated to the Minamoto clan's deity, Hachiman. It was rebuilt on its present site by his descendant, the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate, Yoritomo Minamoto, to celebrate his 1180 victory over the rival Taira clan. Burnt down in 1191, it was reconstructed as the shrine which survives today.
regained its former importance.
Kamakura Japan guesthouse
d The road leading from Tsuruagoka Hachimangu back to the station and the parallel Komachi-dori street are lined with expensive souvenir shops and places to eat and drink. Below the McDonald's in the station square is the Kawagoe-ya soba Guesthouse with over 120 years of history. Check out the local Kamakura beer ale on offer to wash down their appetizing and reasonably-priced meal sets.
From Tokyo take the JR Yokosuka Line. Takes about 54 minutes.
From Osaka get on the Tokaido "Hikari" Shinkansen (bullet train) at Shin Osaka and change at Shin Yokohama to the JR Yokohama Line.
Change at Higashi Kanagawa to the JR Keihin Tohoku Line.
Change at Yokohama to JR Yokosuka Line and alight at Kamakura. Takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.
A cheaper, but longer, option from Shin Osaka is to take the JR Tokaido "Kodama" Shinkansen (bullet train) and change at Odawara to the JR Tokaido Line. Change at Ofuna to the JR Yokosuka Line and alight at Kamakura. Takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes.
From Tokyo's Haneda Airport take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho and change to the JR Yamanote Line. Change at Shinagawa to the JR Yokosuka Line. Alight at Kamakura. Takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From Narita Airport the JR Rapid Airport Express all the way to Kamakura. Takes about 3 hours.
