Last Sunday ,my husband and I visited the Kencho Ji temple(建長寺） which is the first-ranked of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura and is also the oldest monastery in Japan. It was constructed under the order of the Emperor Gofukakusa during the regency of Hojo Tokiyori (1227-1263).The work was completed in the fifth year of the Kencho Era(1253),from which the name of the temple is taken.
We climbed the small mountain just behind the temple and luckily we did appreciate the wonderful view of Mt.Fuji , which took our breath away at the observation platform.
Somon(General Gate)
Many Sakura(Cherry) trees were planted .
Sanmon(Main Gate)=Important Cultural Property
Behind the Sanmon (The carpenters didn't use nails)
Bonsho(Temple Bell)=National Treasure
This bell (27 tons) was cast in 1255.
These trees(Juniper), designated as National Treasures ,were planted over 750 years ago from the seeds that the Founder brought from China.
Drooping Sakura tree
Torii(Gateway at the entrance to a Shinto shrine.
This shrine is protecting Kencho-ji temple.
observatory
Mt.Fuji
Sagami Bay(相模湾）
The bamboo trees and a camellia
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