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神奈川県
Toku
Zuisenji
Zuisenji
神奈川県
Muso Soseki's rock garden carved from living cliff — Kamakura's flower temple famed for its late plum blossoms
Founded
1327
Type
Temple
Visited
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710 Nikaidou, Kamakura, Kanagawa
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Info
Temple
Founded 1327
699 years
Founder
Muso Soseki
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Overview
Zuisenji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple founded in 1327 by the eminent Zen master Muso Soseki (Kokushi) in the Momijigayatsu valley of Kamakura. The temple is renowned for its rock garden — one of Muso Soseki's earliest garden works — in which the natural tuff cliff behind the main hall was directly carved to create pools, caves, and bridges, making it a precursor to the dry-landscape garden traditio…
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Origins
Zuisenji was founded in 1327 by the Zen master Muso Soseki, who first established a hermitage called Zuisen-an in this secluded valley. Muso Soseki received the title of National Teacher (Kokushi) from seven successive emperors, and the rock garden he created at Zuisenji — carved directly into the n…
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100 Temples ② Kanto
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句
Haiku Composed Here
— 1

瑞泉寺なりしと思ひ更衣
Takano Sujyu
Seasonal word
更衣（夏）
衣替えの季節に、かつて訪れた瑞泉寺をふと思い出した——という素十らしい平明な写生句。夢窓疎石作庭の禅庭で知られる瑞泉寺の清閑な佇まいが背景に浮かぶ。

祭
Festivals & Events
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8月
13
Zuisenji Obon Service
The Obon service at Zuisenji in Kamakura, with its renowned garden designed by Muso Soseki. Obon rites are quietly held at this ancient Rinzai temple, also famous for its autumn foliage. Nestled in the mountains of Kamakura Nikaido, these rites console ancestral spirits amid the deep mountain atmosphere.
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記
Related Articles
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記
Muso Soseki and Zen Gardens — The World Heritage Gardens of Tenryuji and Saihoji
Muso Soseki (1275-1351) was the greatest Zen monk of the Muromachi period, awarded the title of National Teacher by seven imperial reigns across the North-South Courts conflict. He designed the UNESCO World Heritage gardens of Tenryuji and Saihoji (the Moss Temple), and the garden of Zuisenji in Kamakura. Explore his legacy in these places.
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人
Related Figures
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Musō Soseki
National Teacher of Seven Reigns, Zen Garden Master
Age 52 at founding
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Zuisenji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple founded in 1327 by the eminent Zen master Muso Soseki (Kokushi) in the Momijigayatsu valley of Kamakura. The temple is renowned for its rock garden — one of Muso Soseki's earliest garden works — in which the natural tuff cliff behind the main hall was directly carved to create pools, caves, and bridges, making it a precursor to the dry-landscape garden tradition.
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Visiting Information
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Open year-round.
Admission
Adults (high school+) ¥200, elementary/junior high ¥100, free for disabled. Groups: ¥150/¥50.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
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