Here are 10 things to do in Kanagawa (Kamakura).

Great Buddha of Kamakura

The first Great Buddha, built in 1243, was a wooden statue covered in gold leaf and was said to be 40 meters tall. It was destroyed by a typhoon and was remade into the current bronze statue in a seated position. It is about 13.35 meters tall and weighs about 121 tons, making it a national treasure. The Great Buddha, with its imposing presence and mystical atmosphere, is also a symbol of Kamakura. You can enter the womb, which is a rare experience.

In autumn, you can see the beautiful Japanese scenery of autumn leaves and the Great Buddha.

Engakuji Temple

This is a Zen temple founded in 1282 by Zen priest Mugai Sogen, who came from China. The Engakuji Shariden Hall was built around the 15th century and is the only building designated as a national treasure in Kanagawa Prefecture. The Hojo is open to the public at all times. There are chairs in the beautiful garden with a pond where you can relax. The Hongo bell is designated as a national treasure and is one of the three famous bells of Kamakura, and is the largest bell in the Kanto region.

Meigetsu-in Temple

It is said that the temple was founded in 1160 under the name "Meigetsu-an" as a memorial for his father who died in battle. Meigetsu-in is known as the Hydrangea Temple, and there are about 2,500 hydrangeas growing within the grounds. 90% of these are Hime-jisai, an ancient Japanese variety. The purple and pink flowers bloom beautifully. The best time to visit is from June to July. The "Hana Omoi Jizo" (Flower-loving Jizo) is also popular, and is said to be a kind Jizo that heals the hearts of those who have been hurt by sad separations from people or things.

Hasedera Temple

Founded in 736, 450 years before the Kamakura Shogunate, this is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura, and was called "Shin Hasedera" in comparison to Hasedera in Nara. The most popular one is the "Good Relationship Jizo." There are many different Jizo statues, but this is a set of three Jizo statues that are impressive for the way they are nestled together. They are installed in three places in the temple grounds, and it is said that if you can find them all, you will be blessed with good relationships.

The Kannon Hall houses Japan's largest wooden Kannon statue, the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva.

Enoshima Electric Railway Kamakura High School

The history of Enoshima Electric Railway began in 1902 when Enoshima Electric Railroad (now Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd.) opened its doors between Fujisawa and Katase, connecting Fujisawa Station on the Tokaido Line with Enoshima. In 1903, the track was extended and the station opened under the name "Hizaka Station", and in 1953 it was renamed to the current "Kamakurakokomae". You can see Enoshima, Mt. Fuji, and the Enoshima Electric Railway at the same time, making for a fantastic view. The railroad crossing that appears in the opening scene of the popular anime "Slam Dunk" is located about 100m away from Kamakurakokomae Station towards Shichirigahama, making it a popular spot.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

It is said to have originated in 1063 when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi enshrined Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto at Yuigahama Beach as a prayer for victory in battle, and in 1180 Minamoto no Yoritomo moved it to its current location, and in 1191 it became the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. There are two important cultural properties, the Main Shrine at the top of the Oishidan steps, and the upper and lower Wakamiya shrines to the right of the steps.

It is characterized by its three large "torii" gates. "Ichinotorii" is located near the sea, "Ninotorii" is 3 minutes away from the east exit of JR Kamakura Station, and "Sannotorii" is located at the end of the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

Zeniarai Benten

At a time when disasters continued, Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the shrine after receiving a message in a dream from Ugafukujin on the day of the snake in the month of the snake in the year of the snake in 1185. It is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed for the poor common people, and the chaos in the world subsided.

It is said that washing money in "zeniarai-mizu" (cleaning water for washing money) will improve your luck with money. First, purify yourself at the main shrine, borrow a strainer for washing money, and then wash your money in the strainer with the "zeniarai-mizu" (cleaning water for washing money) that springs from the inner shrine. The washed money is purified and brings good fortune. It is said that you will receive more benefits if you spend it than if you save it.

Hokokuji Temple

It is a temple of the Kenchoji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism that was founded by the high priest Tengan Eko in 1334. Around the main hall is a magnificent dry landscape garden (a Japanese garden that uses stones and sand to create a landscape without using water), and flowers bloom with the seasons.

There is a bamboo grove with 2000 stalks called "Bamboo Garden" where you can soak up negative ions. It is beautiful and overwhelming. The green moss is also very tasteful. This temple has received three stars in the Michelin Green Guide. At "Kyukoan" you can drink matcha tea while looking at the bamboo.

Sasuke Inari Shrine

Minamoto no Yoritomo established the shogunate and, as a token of gratitude for achieving his initial goal, in 1190 designated this place as a sacred place and built an Inari shrine here. One of the highlights is the many vermilion "torii" gates lining the approach to the shrine. "White foxes" are placed everywhere. According to one theory, when the founder, Priest Ryochu, helped a baby fox that was being bullied by other children, the parent fox appeared in a dream and bestowed the seeds of a medicinal herb that can cure people's illnesses, and so people began to offer white foxes as offerings and make wishes.

Kenchoji Temple

It was founded by Hojo Tokiyori in 1253. It was the first specialized Zen Buddhist training center in Japan, and is also the temple where "Kenchinjiru" was born. (Kenchinjiru is a famous Japanese dish made with vegetables and soy sauce, without meat or fish.) The Sanmon Gate was built in 1775 and is a national important cultural property. The double gate has a heavy feel and no walls or gate doors, and is simply built without Nio statues, expressing the world of Zen.

summary

We have introduced "10 things to do in Kanagawa (Kamakura)". Starting with the famous "Great Buddha of Kamakura", there are many traditional shrines and temples. Please enjoy Kamakura, where the scenery and atmosphere of the four seasons coexist, with the sea, nature, and Japanese culture. There are also places where you can try on kimonos, so it's perfect for photogenics!