Engaku-ji

Enkakuji or the Enkaku-ji Temple was built alongside an erosional valley where a hill used to be. It is the head temple of the Enkaku-ji Sect of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism. It was built by then-regent Tokimune Hojo in 1282 for the national prosperity, prevalence of Zen Buddhism, and for mourning the deceased, without distinction of enemy and ally, in the war which took place at the time. Using the difference in altitude, the temple is built so that you will see one hall after another as you climb up. The sight is absolutely magnificent. When you enter the San-mon gate towering at the entrance of the temple premises, you see a Buddhist hall where the principal object of worship is situated, and this is the hall where morning zazen meditation and other events take place. You will also see the Koji-rin training hall for Zen trainees and the reliquary hall, a designated National Treasure, where it is said that the Buddha's teeth are housed. You'll see many other historical structures, such as the temple bell, also a piece of National Treasure, which is the largest in the Kanto region at 259.5 centimeters in height. It is a one-minute walk from the Kita-kamakura Station on the JR (Japan Railways) Yokosuka Line.