Kuhon-ji

Kuhon-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura set on landscaped grounds featuring stone lanterns and traditional wooden buildings with curved roofs. The structures display ornate Buddhist decorations and sit within a calm, green setting that invites visitors to explore.

The temple was founded in 1336 by Nitta Yoshisada, a military commander who led forces against the Kamakura shogunate. Its establishment came during the Nanboku-Cho period, a time of major political upheaval in Japan.

The temple belongs to the Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage route that draws visitors following this traditional Buddhist path through the region. You can experience how these sacred circuits shaped the spiritual practices of local communities and continue to do so today.

Visitors can reach the temple by following a marked stone path that leads from the main street to the entrance. The site is open during daytime hours throughout the year for exploration.

The temple grounds hold memorial stones and objects linked to Nitta Yoshisada's military campaigns, including items from the 1333 siege of Kamakura. These relics serve as visible reminders of a turbulent military past embedded within the temple's peaceful setting.

Location: Kamakura

Inception: 1336

Founders: Nitta Yoshisada

Part of: 鎌倉三十三觀音靈場

Address: 〒248-0013 神奈川県鎌倉市材木座５−１３−１４

Website: https://trip-kamakura.com/place/139.html

GPS coordinates: 35.30719,139.55164

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03