Buddhist Temples in Kamakura （鎌倉）

’Kamakura',Home of the Samurai is about 50 km southwest of Tokyo.From the end of the 12th century till the 14th century, it was the seat of the bakufu of feudal military government.It consists of the moutainous area characterized by defensive topograpy .The city has many historical and cultural sites, incduding 11shinto shrines and Buddhist temples that were built at the foot of the mountain and the velly beds, along with Kyoto and Nara which draws visitors from all over the world.

Engakuji Temple（円覚寺） is just 1 minitue walk from JR Kita(north)- Kamakura station. It was built to mourn for the victims who died during the invasion by Mongolians without distingushing friends and enemies.Together with Kenchoji Temple （建長寺）,it played a big role in the establishment of the Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Kenchoji Temple is the first ashram dedicated to the Zen Buddhism in Japan .It was built , receiving a Chinese high Buddhist priest,Rankei Doryu (蘭渓道隆）.It made a great contribution as the largest facility for the introduction of Chinese culture to the the establishment and development of the Samurai culture.

You may experience Zazen(座禅）,Zen meditation and Shakyo(写経）, hand -copying of the sutra in the temples,carving (kamakura bori 鎌倉彫)and also hiking there!
Kamakura has a possibility to be a World Heritage .

Engakuji Temple

Engakuji Temple

Kenchoji Temple

Kenchoji Temple

Tokeiji Temple

Tokeiji Temple

The hydrangeas  haven't  started to bloom in this temple.