Engaku-ji Temple
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: October 16, 2026
Engaku-ji is the easiest Zen temple to add to a Kamakura day: Kita-Kamakura Station, one JR stop before Kamakura, is a minute from the gate, so starting here costs almost no extra travel. Kamakura's tourism association allows about 40 minutes; give it longer to walk the whole valley, which climbs on stone steps. On a short day built around Hase and the shrine, or if steps are difficult, leave it out.
- Area
- Kita-Kamakura, Kamakura
- Best Time
- Early morning in any season; June for hydrangeas; November for autumn leaves (timing varies by year)
- Best For
- Zen Buddhism, Autumn foliage, National Treasure architecture, Zazen for visitors
Visiting Engaku-ji Temple
Engaku-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kita-Kamakura, founded in 1282 by the regent Hojo Tokimune with the Chinese monk Mugaku Sogen (Wuxue Zuyuan) as its first abbot. Tokimune built it partly to mourn those who died on both sides of the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281. It ranks second among the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura, after neighboring Kencho-ji, heads its own branch of Rinzai Zen and remains a working monastery.
More than twenty temples and halls line a narrow valley of the kind Kamakura calls a yato. The temple describes the main sequence as climbing gradually from the Sanmon gate to the Butsuden and on to the Hojo. The Sanmon was rebuilt in 1785, for the temple's 500th anniversary; the Butsuden collapsed in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and was rebuilt in 1964.
Engaku-ji holds two National Treasures. The Shariden, which enshrines a relic said to be a tooth of the Buddha, is admired for the curve of its roof and fan-shaped rafters; on ordinary days it is seen from outside rather than entered. The Ogane, the great bell cast in 1301 on the orders of Hojo Sadatoki, is described by the temple as the largest bell in the Kanto region and stands at the top of a separate stairway.
Is Engaku-ji worth adding to a Kamakura day?
Short answer
Yes, if you can reach Kita-Kamakura by late morning and carry on into central Kamakura afterwards. Allow 40 minutes to an hour, and note that entry closes at 4:30 PM (4:00 PM from December to February).
Add it if
- You are arriving on the JR Yokosuka Line anyway; Kita-Kamakura is the stop before Kamakura and the gate is a minute away.
- You want a working Zen monastery in a wooded valley rather than another shrine or a single statue.
- You are visiting in June for hydrangeas or in November for the autumn leaves, the seasons the temple itself points visitors to. In June, see June in Kita-Kamakura for Meigetsu-in.
- You want to join zazen, which is open to individual visitors without booking.
Leave it out if
- You have half a day and want the Great Buddha and Hasedera, which are on the other side of the city by Enoden.
- Stone steps and slopes are difficult for you; the halls climb through the valley.
- You plan only one Zen temple and want the larger site: Kencho-ji is the bigger complex.
- You want to eat on the way round: eating is prohibited throughout the temple.
Engaku-ji or Kencho-ji
Short answer
Both are major Rinzai Zen temples in Kita-Kamakura with the same ¥500 admission. Engaku-ji is right at the station and is the one for National Treasure architecture in a wooded valley; Kencho-ji, about 15 minutes' walk further, ranks first among the Five Great Zen Temples and is the larger complex, with the optional Hansobo climb. With time for both, see Engaku-ji first.
- From Kita-Kamakura Station
- Engaku-ji: About 1 minute on foot
- Kencho-ji: About 15 minutes on foot, or 3 to 5 minutes by bus
- Founded
- Engaku-ji: 1282, by Hojo Tokimune
- Kencho-ji: 1253, by Hojo Tokiyori
- Rank among the Five Great Zen Temples
- Engaku-ji: Second
- Kencho-ji: First
- Signature sights
- Engaku-ji: Shariden relic hall and the Ogane bell, both National Treasures
- Kencho-ji: Dragon ceiling in the Hatto and the climb to Hansobo, see the Kencho-ji guide
- Time in the tourism association's route
- Engaku-ji: About 40 minutes
- Kencho-ji: About 30 minutes, more with the Hansobo climb
- Admission and hours
- Engaku-ji: ¥500; entry until 4:30 PM (4:00 PM in winter)
- Kencho-ji: ¥500, cash only; 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Step-free access
- Engaku-ji: Not described by the temple; the valley climbs on steps
- Kencho-ji: Wheelchairs can reach the Karamon gate; wheelchairs to borrow
| Engaku-ji | Kencho-ji | |
|---|---|---|
| From Kita-Kamakura Station | About 1 minute on foot | About 15 minutes on foot, or 3 to 5 minutes by bus |
| Founded | 1282, by Hojo Tokimune | 1253, by Hojo Tokiyori |
| Rank among the Five Great Zen Temples | Second | First |
| Signature sights | Shariden relic hall and the Ogane bell, both National Treasures | Dragon ceiling in the Hatto and the climb to Hansobo, see the Kencho-ji guide |
| Time in the tourism association's route | About 40 minutes | About 30 minutes, more with the Hansobo climb |
| Admission and hours | ¥500; entry until 4:30 PM (4:00 PM in winter) | ¥500, cash only; 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Step-free access | Not described by the temple; the valley climbs on steps | Wheelchairs can reach the Karamon gate; wheelchairs to borrow |
June in Kita-Kamakura: Engaku-ji or Meigetsu-in for hydrangeas
Short answer
Engaku-ji lists hydrangeas among its June sights, but the temple Kamakura's tourism association calls the hydrangea temple is Meigetsu-in, about 10 minutes on foot from Kita-Kamakura Station. If hydrangeas are the reason for a June trip, add Meigetsu-in rather than swapping it for Engaku-ji: both are on foot from the same station, and each charges its own admission.
- From Kita-Kamakura Station
- Engaku-ji: About 1 minute on foot
- Meigetsu-in: About 10 minutes on foot
- Admission
- Engaku-ji: ¥500; elementary and junior high ¥200
- Meigetsu-in: ¥500; elementary and junior high ¥300
- Hours in June
- Engaku-ji: Entry 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, leave by 5:00 PM
- Meigetsu-in: Normally 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; in June 8:30 AM, last entry 4:30 PM, gate closes 5:00 PM
- Hydrangeas
- Engaku-ji: One of the seasons the temple lists, alongside cherry blossoms and autumn leaves
- Meigetsu-in: Its signature season: about 2,500 plants, usually best in mid-June
- Also worth knowing
- Engaku-ji: Shariden and Ogane bell, both National Treasures
- Meigetsu-in: The garden behind the main hall opens only in the iris and autumn-leaf seasons, for ¥500 extra
| Engaku-ji | Meigetsu-in | |
|---|---|---|
| From Kita-Kamakura Station | About 1 minute on foot | About 10 minutes on foot |
| Admission | ¥500; elementary and junior high ¥200 | ¥500; elementary and junior high ¥300 |
| Hours in June | Entry 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, leave by 5:00 PM | Normally 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; in June 8:30 AM, last entry 4:30 PM, gate closes 5:00 PM |
| Hydrangeas | One of the seasons the temple lists, alongside cherry blossoms and autumn leaves | Its signature season: about 2,500 plants, usually best in mid-June |
| Also worth knowing | Shariden and Ogane bell, both National Treasures | The garden behind the main hall opens only in the iris and autumn-leaf seasons, for ¥500 extra |
How a visit unfolds
Short answer
The temple is a climb up one valley. From the gate the main axis rises through the Sanmon and Butsuden to the Hojo; the Shariden and the bell, on its own stairway, are off that axis. The main axis and the bell fit in under an hour.
Sanmon. The two-story main gate, rebuilt in 1785 for the temple's 500th anniversary, with a name plaque written by Emperor Fushimi.
Butsuden. The Buddha hall, home to the temple's principal image, a crowned Shaka Buddha. Rebuilt in 1964.
Hojo. The former abbot's quarters. An old juniper in the front garden is said to have been planted by the founder, and the back garden has a pond in the shape of the character for heart.
Shariden. The National Treasure relic hall, with the founder's hall, Kaisando, behind it. On ordinary days it is seen from outside its enclosure; it opens on a few dates a year, listed in the FAQ below.
Ogane and Bentendo. Up a separate stairway: the 1301 bell and the small Bentendo, which Hojo Sadatoki dedicated to the Benzaiten of Enoshima after the difficult casting. One of the temple's three seal desks is here.
Zazen, tea and seals at Engaku-ji
Join Zazen
Early-morning zazen runs every morning except around the New Year (29 December to 10 January) and a few other breaks; a Saturday and 1st and 3rd Sunday sitting runs 2:30 to 4:00 PM for ¥1,000 plus admission. Both are guided in Japanese and meant for individuals; groups of four or more should contact the temple first.
Have Matcha at Butsunichi-an
Butsunichi-an, the sub-temple built as Hojo Tokimune's mausoleum, serves matcha and a sweet for a separate fee when its tea room is open. Treat it as something to check on arrival.
Collect a Temple Seal
There are three seal desks: beside the main reception, at Bentendo by the bell, and at Butsunichi-an, each with different calligraphy. Expect waits in peak season.
How to Get to Engaku-ji Temple
Engaku-ji is across from Kita-Kamakura Station, one JR stop before Kamakura. How to Get to Kamakura compares the JR routes from Tokyo and Yokohama.
By JR
Take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kita-Kamakura Station. The temple is about a minute's walk from the station; from Kamakura Station it is one stop back toward Tokyo.
By Bus
The Kita-Kamakura bus stop is about a minute from the temple.
On to Kencho-ji and Central Kamakura
Kencho-ji is about 15 minutes on foot from Kita-Kamakura Station, or about 3 minutes by Enoden bus toward Kamakura Station from the Kita-Kamakura stop. The same bus continues to the Hachimangu-mae stop for Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
By Car
The temple has no parking for cars or bicycles. Use paid parking nearby.
- •Coming by JR, get off one stop early: Kita-Kamakura, not Kamakura.
Best Time to Visit Engaku-ji Temple
Early morning in any season; June for hydrangeas; November for autumn leaves (timing varies by year).
The temple lists cherry blossoms among its seasonal sights.
Hydrangeas bloom on the grounds.
Autumn leaves color the valley; the temple notes that timing varies from year to year.
Entry Fee & Hours
| Category | Price (JPY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (high school and above) | ¥500 | ~$3.50 |
| Child (elementary/junior high) | ¥200 | ~$1.50 |
- •Eating is prohibited throughout the temple, including the rest area; drinks are allowed in the rest area only. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited.
- •Personal photos and videos are allowed except where signs say otherwise. Do not photograph monks without permission, and do not enter fenced areas, the moss garden or private areas. Sketching and painting are prohibited.
- •Small pets are allowed outdoors only.
- •Visitors with a disability certificate and one caregiver are admitted free.
- •There is no step-free route described by the temple; expect stone steps and slopes beyond the entrance.
Nearby Attractions
Kita-Kamakura's temples are on foot from here; Hokokuji needs a bus from Kamakura Station.
Kenchoji Temple
Tokei-ji Temple
A former convent, known in the Edo period as a refuge where women could seek a divorce.
Distance: Approx. 5 minutes walkMeigetsu-in Temple
Kita-Kamakura's hydrangea temple, with about 2,500 plants, usually best in mid-June. The June section above compares it with Engaku-ji.
Distance: About 10 minutes on foot from Kita-Kamakura StationJochi-ji Temple
The fourth of Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. The Kuzuharaoka hiking course to the Great Buddha starts beside it.
Distance: Approx. 10 minutes walk
Hokokuji Temple
Two half-day routes that start at Engaku-ji
Both start at Kita-Kamakura Station, so Engaku-ji costs no extra travel. Times follow the Kamakura City Tourism Association's model routes and walking course.
Kita-Kamakura down to the shrine
Two Zen temples and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, finishing near Kamakura Station.
Start
Engaku-ji, a minute from Kita-Kamakura Station; about 40 minutes.
Second stop
Kencho-ji, about 15 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by Enoden bus; about 30 minutes, more if you climb to Hansobo.
Third stop
Enoden bus from Kenchoji to Hachimangu-mae, about 2 minutes, for Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine; about 40 minutes.
Finish
About 10 minutes on foot to Kamakura Station, along Wakamiya Oji or Komachi Street.
Engaku-ji, then the hill path to the Great Buddha
For walkers; about 1.5 hours on an unpaved trail, slippery after rain.
Start
Engaku-ji, about 40 minutes.
The walk
The Kuzuharaoka-Daibutsu hiking course starts beside Jochi-ji, a short walk along the road, and runs past Kuzuharaoka Shrine and Genjiyama Park, about 1.5 hours.
Arrive
The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, then Hasedera Temple, 5 minutes on foot.
Finish
Enoden from Hase Station back to Kamakura.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
View references
Engaku-ji
Kamakura City Tourism Association
Kanagawa Prefecture tourism
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