Kenchoji Temple

Kenchoji is Japan’s first Zen training monastery, founded in the Kencho era (1253) by the 5th regent of the Kamakura shogunate, Hojo Tokiyori, with the invitation of the high priest Rankei Doryu from the Song Dynasty. It’s home to some 400+ sub temples, flourishing as the head temple of the Rinzai school Kenchoji branch and the first among the Kamakura Gozan. The temple’s name is officially coined as Kofukuzan Kencho Kokokoku Zenji, while its mountain name Kofuku comes from Kofukuro, and the temple name derives from the era name.

Step inside to find the grounds laid out in a straight line of sites you’d expect from a Zen temple, including the main gate, sanmon gate, Buddha hall, and lecture hall. Among its treasures is a national treasure portrait of Rankei Doryu, and numerous cultural assets, including a bell constructed under Hojo Tokiyori's orders, praised as the most beautiful in the Kanto region. The sprawling temple grounds are hugged by a wash of gorgeous nature no matter what time of year your visit, topped off by stunning views from the observation deck at the innermost temple quarters, Hanso, out over the temple precincts, the town in front, Sagami Bay, and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

After your visit head over to Tenshin-an just outside the temple gate for a bowl of Kenchin Soup, a dish said to have gotten its start as “Kenchoji’s Soup”.