Engaku-ji Temple
Engaku-ji Temple
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
A large temple bell, a teahouse and a shrine that preserves a tooth of Buddha are highlights of this Zen temple, which has been designated a national treasure and is ranked number two of the city's five most powerful temples.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
507 reviews
Excellent
218
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230
Average
54
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3
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オールドローズ
Chiba, Japan1,578 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
In the 5th year of Koan (1282) in the latter half of the Kamakura period, Engaku-ji Temple was founded by the former Zen master Mugakuso, who was invited from the Song Dynasty in China by the then regent Hojo Tokimune. The founder, Lord Tokimune, assumed the position of regent at the age of 18, and was deeply devoted to Zen Buddhism under the guidance of former Zen master Mugakuso. He proposed the construction of Engaku-ji Temple in order to protect the nation, to spread Zen, and to mourn equally for those killed during the Mongolian invasion, regardless of friend or foe. Speaking of Kamakura, Engaku-ji Temple and Meigetsu-in Hydrangea Temple come to mind. Although I should have learned about it when I was a student, I had to look up Engakuji Temple, which I had mentioned several times before, and was embarrassed to learn more about it. In the first place, it is "engakuji". It's not an "enkakuji"!
Written March 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ハイク
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan2,994 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
This vast temple was founded in the late Kamakura period by Hojo Tokimune, who invited Mugakuso Genzenji from Song Dynasty China to hold an equal memorial service for those who died in the Bunei-Kōan War (the Mongol invasion). You can appreciate the garden by sitting on a chair on the veranda of the hojo. The ceiling of the Buddha hall has a "White Dragon Painting".
Automatically translated
Written December 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew K
Zushi, Japan202 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife and I live locally so we can visit this temple in all seasons. It always has a tranquil beauty to it that puts your soul to rest. Extensive grounds include many religious buildings, a lovely tea house and at the top of the nearby small mountain extensive views over Kanagawa with a view of Mt Fuji on a clear day.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uranus2
120 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
Went to kumakara and at first this is not the first main temple we wanted to visit, because we are only staying for day trip, we wanted to choose just selected places.
But my friend said since we are already here why not just go there and have a look. I am so glad we did!!
It’s so peaceful, more than what we expected.
But my friend said since we are already here why not just go there and have a look. I am so glad we did!!
It’s so peaceful, more than what we expected.
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chibi
315 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
It is hydrangea season, but there are few tourists and I was able to see it leisurely.
Take a leisurely stroll through the large grounds,
A relaxing view of the garden at the resting spot is
I recommend it.
I would like to try Zazen next time.
Take a leisurely stroll through the large grounds,
A relaxing view of the garden at the resting spot is
I recommend it.
I would like to try Zazen next time.
Automatically translated
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dona_Natasha
Suwon, South Korea931 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
From Tokyo, ride train at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu, or Osaki for Ofuna/Kamakura. In Japan subway and railway system, you can go and transfer more longer distance than your ticket, and then you can pay additionally on your destination station by machine. So, no need go out and buy new ticket when you transfer. You can transfer from subway to kamakura train directly.
It's good idea starting from Kita-kamakura. Enkakuji temple is just in front of the station. To Kenchoji temple, it's short distance on foot. From Kenchoji to Hachimangu, it's down slope and you can see houses and enjoy good coffee in a cosy cafe. And then, go to Hachimangu main gate. From this gate, it's better go to next alley to the right which is called Komachidori than central big street. Komachidori is walking street and almost tourists are walking on this street. The end of this street, you can reach Kamakura station. From here to Hase-dera, I suggest you use bus to Big Buddha. In front of Kamakura station, there are bus stops under roof for #6 lines. Ride on #6 line buses, then you can go just in front of the Big Buddha entrance. From there to Hase-dera, it's a down slope and short distance on foot. From Hase-dera to railroad station is very short distance, too. So, it's energy saving recommended course to travel to Kamakura. Enjoy your trip.
It's good idea starting from Kita-kamakura. Enkakuji temple is just in front of the station. To Kenchoji temple, it's short distance on foot. From Kenchoji to Hachimangu, it's down slope and you can see houses and enjoy good coffee in a cosy cafe. And then, go to Hachimangu main gate. From this gate, it's better go to next alley to the right which is called Komachidori than central big street. Komachidori is walking street and almost tourists are walking on this street. The end of this street, you can reach Kamakura station. From here to Hase-dera, I suggest you use bus to Big Buddha. In front of Kamakura station, there are bus stops under roof for #6 lines. Ride on #6 line buses, then you can go just in front of the Big Buddha entrance. From there to Hase-dera, it's a down slope and short distance on foot. From Hase-dera to railroad station is very short distance, too. So, it's energy saving recommended course to travel to Kamakura. Enjoy your trip.
Written October 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liucy752
Taipei, Taiwan1,728 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
It is not only “a temple”. It is a Buddhist temple complexes including many buildings in a large mountain park comprising beautiful Zen Buddhism regarded gardens. There are many historical buildings. Some can be traced back to sixteenth century. It is worthwhile to visit this spot and take a relaxation walk for one or two hours.
So far, Engaku-ji (円覚寺) is the most beautiful and peaceful temple I’ve ever visited in Japan. My personal opinion, Engaku-ji and Kenchō-ji (建長寺) are two most beautiful old temples in Kamahura, which are definitely worth a visit.
Because Engaku-ji is close to the Kita-Kamakura Railway Station(北鎌倉駅) (only 5 minutes’ walk). The best way to visit these two temples is to start from the Kita-Kamakura Station (北鎌倉駅), one stop before the Kamakura terminal (if you are from Tokyo).
Suggested itinerary: JR=> Kita-Kamakura Station(北鎌倉駅)=> 5 minutes’ walk to=> Engaku-ji (円覚寺) => 15 minutes’ walk to => Kenchō-ji (建長寺) => 20 minutes’ walk to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū(鶴岡八幡宮) => then you can reach the Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅) and other historical spots in Kamakura.
So far, Engaku-ji (円覚寺) is the most beautiful and peaceful temple I’ve ever visited in Japan. My personal opinion, Engaku-ji and Kenchō-ji (建長寺) are two most beautiful old temples in Kamahura, which are definitely worth a visit.
Because Engaku-ji is close to the Kita-Kamakura Railway Station(北鎌倉駅) (only 5 minutes’ walk). The best way to visit these two temples is to start from the Kita-Kamakura Station (北鎌倉駅), one stop before the Kamakura terminal (if you are from Tokyo).
Suggested itinerary: JR=> Kita-Kamakura Station(北鎌倉駅)=> 5 minutes’ walk to=> Engaku-ji (円覚寺) => 15 minutes’ walk to => Kenchō-ji (建長寺) => 20 minutes’ walk to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū(鶴岡八幡宮) => then you can reach the Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅) and other historical spots in Kamakura.
Written May 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mixtraveling
Sao Paulo, SP1,242 contributions
Kamakura region has many sightseeing spots. If you leave the train in Kita Kamakura Station (one before Kamakura) this is the first temple to be visited, some 50m ahead. Then you can go walking down to Kamakura station to see the temples on the way.
You pay ¥300 for the admission fee to see the temples and the 'Ogane' the biggest bell of Kamakura region.
You pay ¥300 for the admission fee to see the temples and the 'Ogane' the biggest bell of Kamakura region.
Written May 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mary7484
Florida319 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
Pretty big temple complex. If you listen closely you may get to hear monks chanting. There are Japanese meditation sessions if you choose to participate, but you must ask the staff for times and details.
Written June 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarawaklaksa
Kuching, Malaysia123 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
One of the most beautiful Zen temple in kamakura with its beautifully landscaped gardens. Right next to Kita kamakura station. Its now a popular place for meditation esp in the early morning.
Written May 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. How long should we plan for the visit of this Temple coming on a day trip from Tokyo?
Written December 12, 2018
After arrival from Tokyo, the temple entrance is right at the Kita-Kamakura station. We spent about an hour at a slow walk.
Written April 15, 2019
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