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Kenchoji
神奈川県
Japan's first full-scale Zen training monastery, founded 1253 by Tokiyori — head of Kamakura's Five Mountains
創建
1253 年
種別
寺院
Access
15 min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station
8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura
Open in Google Maps ↗
Info
Temple
Founded 1253
773 years
Enshrined Deity
地蔵菩薩
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Founder
Hojo Tokiyori (founder abbot: Lanxi Daolong)
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Buddhist Sect
Rinzai (Kenchoji branch)
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概要
Ranked first among the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura. The first full-scale Zen training monastery in Japan, founded by Hojo Tokiyori who invited Lanxi Daolong.
由緒
Founded in 1253 by the 5th regent Hojo Tokiyori with Chinese Zen master Rankei Doryu — Japan's first full-scale Zen temple. The 1255 temple bell is a National Treasure, bearing the first inscription of 'Zen temple' in Japan. Said to be the birthplace of 'kenchinjiru' vegetarian soup. Ranked 1st of t…
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巡礼コース
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句
Haiku Composed Here
— 4

Selling persimmons — / is that Osei's teashop? / Kenchoji
Tomoji Ishizuka
Seasonal word
Persimmon (autumn)
By haiku poet Ishizuka Tomoji (1906-1986). A warm, humane vignette of Osei, who sold persimmons at a teashop before the gates of Kenchoji.
Show all haiku · 3
Divine Benefits
Safe Childbirth & Fertility
Warding Off Evil
Long Life
Rebirth in Pure Land
Safe delivery, conception, child protection. Traditions tied to Empress Jingu, Konohanasakuya-hime, Suitengu, and Kishimojin.
Derived from the enshrined deity "地蔵菩薩"

祭
Festivals & Events
— 8

5月
10
Kenchoji Takigi Noh
This month
Outdoor torch-lit noh theater at Kenchoji, the top-ranked Zen temple in Kamakura. Performed before the Butsuden Buddha hall bathed in firelight, this is an extraordinary experience of Japan's most refined traditional performing art.
もっと詳しく · 7

記
Related Articles
— 24

記
Kamakura Gozan Complete Guide: How to Visit All Five Zen Temples of Samurai Culture
A comprehensive guide to all five Kamakura Gozan Zen temples — Kenchoji, Engakuji, Jufukuji, Jochiji, and Jomyoji — with history, highlights, admission fees, and access. Also explains the influence of Zen culture (ink painting, Chinese poetry, kencho-jiru soup) on the samurai world.
architecture
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記
Kencho-ji: Japan's First Dedicated Zen Temple and Top of the Kamakura Five Mountains
Founded in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori with Song-dynasty monk Lanxi Daolong as its founding abbot, Kencho-ji is Japan's first full-scale Zen training hall and the top-ranked temple of the Kamakura Five Mountains. A complete guide to its National Treasure bell, Zen precinct layout, Hansobo tengu shrine, and visiting tips.
architecture
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記
Fall of the Kamakura Shogunate — Genko Incident and Nitta Yoshisada Historic Sites Guide
In 1333, Nitta Yoshisada attacked Kamakura in support of Emperor Go-Daigo's Genko Incident, ending 150 years of Hojo rule. A guide to the Kamakura sites connected to the shogunate's fall.
era
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もっと詳しく · 21

史
Related Historical Events
— 1

1200
Kamakura Culture
Vigorous, realistic culture of the 12th-13th centuries accompanying samurai rule. Fused aristocratic tradition, warrior simplicity, and new Song-Yuan influences. Unkei and Kaikei of the Kei school created the Tōdai-ji Niō guardians (1203) and Kōfuku-ji statues. Architecture introduced Daibutsu-yō and Zen styles. Kamakura New Buddhism (Hōnen, Shinran, Ippen, Eisai, Dōgen, Nichiren) spread to commoners. Literary masterpieces include the "Tale of the Heike," the three great essay collections (Hōjōki, Tsurezuregusa), and the "Shin Kokin Wakashū" (1205, Fujiwara no Teika).
Read more →

人
Related Figures
— 2

Hojo Tokiyori
Fifth Regent
Age 26 at founding
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In 1253, the fifth regent Tokiyori founded Kenchoji by inviting the Song Chinese master Lanxi Daolong. As Japan's first full-scale Zen training monastery, it embodied Tokiyori's deep commitment to Zen Buddhism.
Hojo Tokimune
Eighth Regent, Mongol Invasions
Age 2 at founding
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The eighth regent Tokimune faithfully maintained Kenchoji, founded by his father Tokiyori. He supported Zen monks and used Zen practice to steady his mind during the Mongol invasions.
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Engakuji
Fellow Kamakura Five Mountain Zen temple. Kenchoji ranks first, Engakuji second.
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Ennoji's head temple — Kamakura's top-ranked Zen monastery; Ennoji's founding priest Chikaku Zenji was its ninth abbot.
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Dairokutensha Shrine
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Branch
Rinkoji (Byobugaura)
Since 1884, Rinkoji has been a direct branch temple of Kenchoji — first of the Kamakura Five Mountains.
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Also Worth Visiting
Engakuji
Founded by Hojo Tokimune to mourn Mongol War dead — Kamakura's 2nd Zen temple with a National Treasure Shariden
968m
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Jufukuji
Founded by Masako with Eisai — Kamakura's 3rd Zen temple, with Masako and Sanetomo's cave tombs
952m
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浄
Jochiji
Founded by Hojo Tokimune to mourn his brother — Kamakura's 4th Zen temple, enshrining Hotei in a quiet valley
798m
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Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kamakura's guardian shrine since Yoritomo's 1180 relocation — site of Sanetomo's assassination by the great ginkgo
621m
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Ennoji
Founded 1250 — a hall of the Ten Kings whose National Important Cultural Property Yama statue, attributed to Unkei by tradition, is known as Kamakura's 'Smiling Enma'
275m
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長
Chojuji
Zen temple Ashikaga Takauji founded on his own residence site — a stone tower believed to be his grave stands behind
275m
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Jomyoji
Kamakura's Fifth Great Zen Temple — founded by Ashikaga Yoshikane, where Zen meets matcha
1.8km
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Meigetsuin
World-famous as Kamakura's 'Hydrangea Temple' — the circular 'Window of Enlightenment' is its signature view
735m
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記
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