The five great zen temples of Kamakura, created in the Kamakura period, still exist today as the most significant temples in Kamakura. While many of them are situated in Northern Kamakura, one of them, Jufuku-ji Temple, can be found near Kamakura station, just 10 minutes away by walk. Despite its…

In Kamakura, there are the 'Five Mountains of Kamakura', which is basically the five great zen temples of Kamakura, and the fourth of them is Jochi-ji Temple. In Japanese, the word mountain can be used for the greatest and the most significant temples as well, and the phrase 'Five Mountains…

Spring, the season of Sakura, Japanese cherry blossoms. As I mentioned in some other posts, it is probably the most beautiful season in Japan. Spring - The Best Season to Visit Kamakura If you're planning to visit Japan, and possibly Kamakura, Spring is definitely the recommended season. There are several…

Sugimotodera Temple is the oldest temple in Kamakura, that has been situated here since the year 734 AD, over 1200 years ago. Despite its history in Kamakura, surprisingly this temple is not very famous, so you won't find a lot of tourists as you walk around the temple. The distance…

There are two Daibutsus (Great Buddha), in Japan. One is in Todaiji Temple of Nara-prefecture, which is a world heritage and is also a great place to visit, and the other is in Kamakura's Koutoku-in. What exactly is the Daibutsu? 'Daibutsu' is the Japanese word for 'Great Buddha', and generally…

Listen to the sound of nature, feel the atmosphere of zen, and enjoy a cup of traditional Japanese green tea in a beautiful bamboo garden  in Houkokuji Temple, Kamakura.   Houkokuji Temple is a zen temple that was established in 1334, by Tengan Eko, a buddhist monk in the Kamakura…