One of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura, founded in 1282, with the most famous New Year bell in the Kantō; admission 500 ¥.
The Engaku-ji temple ranks second among the five great Zen temples (Gozan) of Kamakura and is one of the most impressive temple complexes of medieval Japan. It was founded in 1282 by the regent Hojo Tokimune to commemorate the warriors who fell on both sides during the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281, under the spiritual guidance of the Chinese monk Mugaku Genjo. The precinct is made up of around twenty buildings arranged along a central axis that climbs gently among centuries-old cedars and bamboo. The Shariden, one of the few Chinese-style buildings of the Kamakura era still standing in Japan, is designated a National Treasure. The great bell (Ogane) of 1301, 2,5 metres in diameter, is the largest in the region and the one that marks the Kohaku (the New Year television broadcast) for the whole prefecture. At Engaku-ji, free Zen meditation (zazen) retreats are offered for foreigners on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Admission costs 500 ¥. Hours: 8:00-17:00 (until 16:00 from October to March). Kita-Kamakura station (JR Yokosuka Line) is a one-minute walk from the entrance.
