Sign in for a personalized experience.
Japan Guide Homepage
Travel
Living
A-Z
Forum
Jobs
Friends
Shopping
Essentials
-
Sightseeing
-
Accommodation
-
Transportation
-
Food
-
Budget Travel
-
Shopping
-
Questions

Search this site

Online Reservations
Hotel
 
Flight
 
Bus

(check-in)

Car Rentals Car Rentals
Compact cars from around 4,000 Yen/day!
Online Hostel Bookings Online Hostel Bookings
Hostels and inexpensive ryokan from $10 per night!
Online Ticket Bookings Online Ticket Bookings
Special fares for domestic air tickets

Related Pages
Travel
Sightseeing
Kanto Region
Kamakura

Buddhism
Temples
History: Kamakura Period

Great Buddha
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Hase Temple
Kenchoji Temple
Engakuji Temple

Zeniarai Benten
Zuisenji Temple
Jufukuji Temple
Jochiji Temple
Tokeiji Temple
Ankokuronji Temple
Myohonji Temple

Enoshima

Hiking Trails
Beaches of Kamakura

Kamakura: Access and Orienatation

Related Questions
Kamakura one-day bus pass
 9 reactions, last updated 44 days ago
Getting Around Kamakura
 1 reaction, last updated 130 days ago
Scooter hire Kamakura
 1 reaction, last updated 140 days ago
JR reserved seats to Kamakura
 3 reactions, last updated 141 days ago
Kamakura Medieval Festival ?
 3 reactions, last updated 319 days ago
Ikebukuro to Kamakura, Pass...
 1 reaction, last updated 365 days ago
Enoshima Valentine's Day...
 1 reaction, last updated 366 days ago
Access to Enoshima Attractions
 3 reactions, last updated 371 days ago
How to get to Zeniarai Benten...
 3 reactions, last updated 371 days ago
Taxi fare to Kitakamaura from...
 9 reactions, last updated 440 days ago
Does JR East Rail pass covers...
 1 reaction, last updated 532 days ago
Going to Kamakura - where should...
 4 reactions, last updated 538 days ago
Kamakura Bus Routes and Schedule
 1 reaction, last updated 555 days ago
Kamakura Travel
 4 reactions, last updated 558 days ago
Daibutsu Hiking Course Kamakura
 3 reactions, last updated 609 days ago
Kamakura Trip opinions
 3 reactions, last updated 615 days ago
Kamakura Beach
 5 reactions, last updated 624 days ago
Kamakura Enoshima Free kippu pass...
 1 reaction, last updated 732 days ago
Should visit temples in Kamakura
 1 reaction, last updated 796 days ago
Using the Enoshima Kamakura Free...
 2 reactions, last updated 799 days ago

Japan Sightseeing Guide
Hokkaido
Sapporo
Otaru
Hakodate
Asahikawa
Furano
Abashiri
Noboribetsu
Niseko
Lake Toya
Daisetsuzan
Shiretoko
Rishiri Rebun
Akan

Tohoku
Sendai
Matsushima
Hiraizumi
Akita
Kakunodate
Hachimantai
Aomori
Hirosaki
Lake Towada
Shimokita Hanto
Dewa Sanzan
Yamadera
Aizu
Bandai

Kanto
Tokyo
Yokohama
Kamakura
Nikko
Kinugawa
Hakone
Kawagoe
Kusatsu
Ikaho
Minakami
Oze
Narita
Ogasawara

Chubu
Nagoya
Inuyama
Mt.Fuji
Fujigoko
Izu Peninsula
Shizuoka
Hamanako
Nagano
Bessho Onsen
Matsumoto
Kamikochi
Kiso Valley
Hakuba
Yamanouchi
Sado Island
Takayama
Okuhida
Shirakawa-go
Gujo
Gero Onsen
Kanazawa
Kaga Onsen
Noto Peninsula

Kansai
Kyoto
Osaka
Nara
Kobe
Himeji
Kinosaki
Mount Koya
Kumano
Asuka
Yoshino
Amanohashidate
Hikone
Iga Ueno
Ise Shima

Chugoku
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Onomichi
Okayama
Kurashiki
Takahashi
Inujima
Tottori
Daisen
Matsue
Iwami Ginzan
Iwakuni
Yamaguchi
Hagi

Shikoku
Takamatsu
Kotohira
Naoshima
Shodoshima
Matsuyama
Uchiko
Kochi
Tokushima
Naruto

Kyushu
Fukuoka
Dazaifu
Arita
Nagasaki
Shimabara
Kumamoto
Mount Aso
Kurokawa
Minamata
Beppu
Yufuin
Mount Kuju
Miyazaki
Takachiho
Kagoshima
Kirishima
Satsuma Hanto
Yakushima

Okinawa
Honto
Kume
Miyako
Yaeyama

Survey
Have you visited Japan in the last 3 years?
Yes
No
see results
Other Surveys:
Preferred Airport
Favorite hotel reservation website
Favorite travel guide books
How to improve tourism
Next trip to Japan
Purpose of visit
Most popular region
Have you recently entered Japan?

japan-guide.com newsletter
Keeping you up to date on Japan travel and living related issues and site updates. Click here to subscribe!

Sponsored Listings
Japan - Order FREE Brochure!
About vacation plans and specialty travel.
Car Rental
The cheapest rates in Japan!
Tour Packages
Guided and individual tour plans.

Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Kamakura
Engakuji Temple
# 5   of 15 most visited
sights in Kamakura
access  -  admission  -  reports  -  ratings  -  tours  -  links
Sanmon (Main Gate)

Engakuji is one of the leading Zen temples in Eastern Japan and the number two of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. Engakuji was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokimune in the year 1282, one year after the second invasion attempt by the Mongols had been reverted. One purpose of the new temple was to pay respect to the fallen Japanese and Mongolian soldiers.

Engakuji is built into the slopes of Kita-Kamakura's forested hills. The first main structure encountered upon entering the temple grounds is the Sanmon main gate, which dates from 1783. Behind it stands the temple's main hall, the Butsuden, which displays a wooden statue of the Shaka Buddha. The Butsuden was rebuilt relatively recently in 1964 after the former building was lost in an earthquake.

Teahouse
Temple Bell

Further into the temple grounds, the Shariden is a beautifully designed hall in which a tooth of Buddha is enshrined. It is designated a national treasure, but can only be seen from a distance during most of the year. Another national treasure found at Engakuji is the temple's large bell (ogane). It stands on a hill next to a teahouse where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea, amazake (sweet sake) or Japanese sweets in a calm environment.

Engakuji is a popular spot for autumn colors, which usually reach their peak around early December. The temple entrance, which is surrounded by many maple trees, is a particularly popular photo object.

Engakuji in autumn

Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there
Engakuji is a few steps from Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, one station before Kamakura Station when coming from Tokyo.

How to get to and around Kamakura

Hours and Fees
Hours:8:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 November to March)
Closed:No closing days
Admission:300 yen

Advertisements

News and Reports
December 8, 2011
Kamakura Autumn Color Report
by scott
April 8, 2011
Kamakura and Fuji
by Scarophion
Kamakura Autumn Color Report
December 6, 2010
Kamakura Cherry Blossom Report
April 7, 2010
Kamakura Autumn Color Report
December 2, 2009
Kamakura Cherry Blossom Report
April 8, 2009

Travel Community
Ratings for Engakuji Temple:
japan-guide.com Rating:
  outstanding  
User Rating (by 260 users):
82/100
  recommended

Popularity of Engakuji Temple:
Users who have been to Kamakura: 2094
Users who have been to Engakuji Temple: 571
5th of 15 most visited sights in Kamakura.
88th of 726 most visited sights nationwide.

Have you been to Engakuji Temple?
User Feedback
We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Tours and Packages
Kamakura Walking Tour
Guided day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura.

Japanese Links
Engakuji Temple
Official website.

 

Travel
Living
Japan A-Z
Community
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Transportation
Shopping
Essentials
Regions
Prefectures
Cities
Working
Studying
Living Cost
Apartments
Arts and Crafts
Entertainment
History
Religion
Etiquette
Food
Language
Tradition
Question Forum
Classifieds
Trip Reports
Member Area
 
96 users are currently online: Lee Q, lamasacre23, Spainamerican, KassieKissu, rollins31, Yurindo, Yoshii974, galindo29, aegamine, coolbiz, martin1964, Arsinoi, kobeboy, maoo1218, akraoral, kana0315, nikonikosan, Firen, Tenkai Karyu, Siradito, SAMUSIKU, chibitwins, Hira Aya, Japanesekoto, kaedexoxox, Angela1292, sasaki120, Florent D, simpatico, Vyrsalia, Jessica101, Lele Jiah, Jasonx2x, hiromune, 2525papico, jjjjjjjjapan, Fun on the Ice, Coni Chavez, Cinnab0n, hirohiro1133, teyateya, Kamiyacchi, Lum8, kokua, julie09, fuita, Kimrobine, sachi910, Adam 679, kouki06, No ID, Crimsoneer, Schlauchy, Nyanmaru, americana, NightCloak, Trescend, Mai JPN Tutor, creeze, Angel of Wonder, himawarinn, NoahOkinawa, roseelli, Shanicxx, masa7777, Jagz, cap1981, ayaki t, Asako in Tokyo, Dskinner, kapotan, Fcontact, yoshikomom, ronicara, carlos100fuegos, lysithea, haruka yamaguchi, Ayako13, carmanhg, taku0523, Toshiego, tgpee, Alekseynz, SHIHO129, OnewSangtae, pstank1, Midnaii, Kotagaga, Samurai00, sayumi618, MaiMai8299, Allia, Pirilampo, yuuki04, Marutoo, Blackson
Sign in for a personalized experience.
 
Copyright © 1996-2012 japan-guide.com All rights reserved - Last Page Update: January 20, 2012
home - site map - privacy policy - terms of use - contact - employment - L‚ɂ‚¢‚Ä - advertising