Engaku-ji

Engaku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Japan, set on a wooded hillside with eighteen buildings distributed along a central axis. The structures display curved roofs of dark timber, stone gardens, and pathways that wind through groves of bamboo and cedar.

The temple arose in 1282 at the initiative of regent Hojo Tokimune and Chinese Zen monk Mugaku Sogen to commemorate those who fell during the Mongolian invasions. Over the centuries, the complex suffered damage from earthquakes and fires, with several halls rebuilt.

The site preserves the rituals and practices of the Rinzai school, where visitors encounter monks in traditional robes and experience the atmosphere of a living Zen community. Its name comes from a passage in a Buddhist sutra and refers to the concept of the circle as a symbol of perfect enlightenment.

The complex is open every day and can be reached by public transport, with access through a stairway at the main entrance. An entrance fee is charged, and most areas are easy to walk through, though some paths involve slopes.

The great bell from 1301 is among the National Treasures of Japan and is the largest temple bell in Kamakura. It sits in an open pavilion on the grounds and can be viewed up close by visitors.

Location: Yamanouchi

Inception: 1282

Founders: Hōjō Tokimune, Mugaku Sogen

Fee: Yes

Charge: 500 JPY;200 JPY

Part of: Kamakura Gozan, 镰仓三十三观音灵场, 24 sanctuaires Jizo de Kamakura

Address: 神奈川県鎌倉市山ノ内409

Opening Hours: March-November Monday-Sunday 08:30-16:30; December-February Monday-Sunday 08:30-16:00

Phone: +81467220478

Website: https://engakuji.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.33770,139.54750

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:52