Enkakuji Temple

Enkakuji Temple was founded in 1282 by HOJYO Tokimune (1251 - 1284) , the sixth regent of the "Kamakura Bakufu" in the Kamakura Age (1185 - 1333) . At the end of the Kamakura Age, the five most important Rinzai temples in Kyoto and Kamakura were respectively selected. Enkakuji Temple was nominated as the second most important temple among five other important temples in Kamakura.

HOJYO Tokimune founded Enkakuji Temple as the family temple of the HOJYO Clan, while his father, HOJYO Tokiyori, founded Kenchoji Temple as the government temple.

Enkakuji Temple is located near Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. From the station, you will soon arrive at the entrance of Enkakuji Temple.

Enkakuji Temple is located on the small hills surrounding Kamakura City. If you walk up stone-steps, you will reach to a "Somon" Gate and walk up the next stone-steps, you will arrive at a "Sammon" Gate.

The "Sanmon" Gate was rebuilt in 1785. The tablet, displayed atthe gate, shows the letters of official name of Enkakuji Temple, "Enkaku-Kosho-Zenji" in Chinese characters. These letters were written by Emperor FUSHIMI (1265-1317) .

On the left side of the "Sanmon" Gate, there are a couple of branch temples.
The "Senbutsujyo" is the training center for mons living in Enkakuji Temple, and "Kojirin" is the training center for those who practice asceticism living outside of Enkakuji Temple.

"Senbutsujyo"
"Kojirin"

You will see the huge temple building on your right from "Kojirin" Temple. The building is a "Butsuden" Hall. Inside the hall, you will see the "Shaka Nyorai" statue, the princepal Buddha statue of Enkakuji Temple, and also see the White Dragon Painting on the celling of the hall.

On the right side of the "Butsuden" Hall, there are steep steps to a hill. If you walk up these steps, you will see the bell tower and a "Benzaiten" Hall.

HOJYO Sadatoki (1272 - 1311) , the ninth regent of the "Kamakura Bakufu", prayed for peace and the security of "Kamakura Bakufu" and made the bell in 1301. He thought of the idea to make a bell for peace and the security of his government when he visited the "Benzaiten-do" Hall in Enoshima Island. So, he also built the "Benzaiten" Hall at Enkakuji Temple. The bell is designated as a national treasure of Japan.

From this hill, you will be able to see Mt. Fuji when it is a fine and clear day. You will also look down on "Tokeiji" Temple.

Coming back to the "Butsuden" Hall from the "Benzaiten" Hall on the hill, you will find a "Hojyo" Hall on your right. The "Hojyo" Hall is the building where the chief priest of Enkakuji Temple lives. In front of the "Hojyo" Hall, you will find a "Karamon" Gate. The "Karamon" Gate is very goergeous and well decolated. It was built in 1839.

Behind the "Hojyo" Hall, "Myoko-Ike" Pound is located. At this location, a pond was made when Enkakuji Temple was built. "Myoko-Ike" Pond was remade after 1990s based on a printing of the temple.

Behind "Myoko-Ike" Pond, a couple of branch temples are located.

If you walk on a gentle slope and then take a left path, you will reach a "Shariden" Hall. The "Shariden" Hall was originally built in the early Muromachi Age (1336 - 1573) , and was moved to this location in 1570s.

The "Shariden" Hall is designated as a national treasure of Japan. Unfortunately, the hall is not open to the public.

If you walk straight ahead from "Myoko-Ike" Pond, you will reach a "Kaiki-Byo" Hall. The "Kaiki-Byo" Hall is the mausoleum of HOJO Tokimune, his son, HOJYO Sadatoki, and his grand child, HOJYO Takatoki (1304 - 1333) . HOJYO Takatoki was the last regent of the "Kamakura Bakufu". When he died in the battle against NITTA Yoshisada (1301? - 1338) , the Kamakura Age finished.

A thatched roof of the "Kaiki-Byo" Hall gives you the historical impression. The wide and well maintained garden is very beautiful and has a calm atmosphere.

The "Kaiki-Byo" Hall was built after the death of HOJYO Tokimune in 1284. As time went on, Kamakura became at war and HOJYO Family went to ruin. The "Kaiki-Byo" Hall tells the glories of HOJYO family seven hundred years ago.

Behind the "Kaiki-Byo" Hall, there are also stone-steps to "Obai-In" Temple. "Obai-In" Temple was originally built by KAKUSANNI (1252 - 1306) , wife of HOJYO Tokimune for his supreme enlightenment.

"Obai-In" Temple is located at the end of Enkakuji Temple. The garden in "Obai-In" Temple is also beautiful and calm.

How to get there
From Tokyo, you will take a Yokosuka Line train or a Shonan-Shinjyuku Line bound for Zushi. Get off at Kita-Kamakura Station. Enkakuji Temple is north side of the station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Tokeiji Temple
Myogetsuin Temple
Kenchoji Temple
Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-Gu Shrine