Kenchoji Temple
Kenchoji Temple
Temple where the infinite breeze blows
Kenchoji is a 15-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station. It is the highest-ranked temple in Kamakura, ranking first among the Kamakura Gozan in the Gozan System, a system that expresses the status of Zen Buddhist temples. It is also famous as Japan's first Zen temple, built in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. In the historic precincts, you can also see buildings designated as national treasures and juniper trees, which are designated as natural monuments of the city. It is also popular as a sightseeing spot where you can enjoy nature with cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn leaves in autumn. The bell tower on the right side of the temple gate is one of the few relics from the time Kencho-ji Temple was founded, and it is also a model for the famous literary writer Natsume Soseki's poem, "If the bell rings, the ginkgo will fall, Kencho-ji."
Access
Access to the venue
Please use public transportation, such as train or bus, to get to Zen2.0.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we ask that you please do not come by car.
For those coming by train
Get off at Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. Turn left after leaving the ticket gates and follow the road on foot for 15-20 minutes
Accessing JR Yokosuka Line Trains bound for Kamakura/Zushi:
From Haneda Airport
take the Keikyu Line, change at Shinagawa Station or Yokohama Station
From Tokyo Station
trains board at Platforms 1 and 2. Takes approx. 55 minutes
From Shinagawa Station
trains board at Platform 15. Takes approx. 45 minutes
From Yokohama Sation
trains board at Platform 9. Takes approx. 25 minutes
From Shin-Yokohama Station
take the JR Yokohama Line and change to the Yokosuka Line at Yokohama Station
From Odawara
take the JR Tokaido Line and change to the Yokosuka Line at Ofuna Station
From Ofuna Station
take the JR Yokosuka Line one station and get off at Kita-Kamakura Station (the only ticket gate/exit is towards the front-most car)
*When coming by JR Tokaido Line or Shonan Shinjuku Line, please transfer to the Yokosuka Line at Ofuna Station
From Kita-Kamakura Station/Kamakura Station to Kenchoji Temple
[From Kita-Kamakura Station]
15-20 minutes on foot
Please be careful as there are places where the sidewalk is narrow.
[From Kamakura Station]
10 minutes by taxi
In some cases, there may be a queue for taxis, so please come early.
For those coming by bus
There is also a bus stop at Kita-Kamakura Station. From there it’s about a 5-minute ride to the Kencho-ji bus stop
JR Kamakura Station East Exit
Bus Stop 2, Enoden Bus for Ofuna Station, Kamiooka Station, Hongodai Station
Get off at the Kencho-ji stop. Approx. a 1-minute walk
JR / Shonan Monorail Ofuna Station
East Gate Traffic Square, Bus Stop 6, Enoshima Bus for Kamakura StationGet off at the Kencho-ji stop. Approx. a 1-minute walk
Kencho-ji Location Map
