20 Temples in Kanagawa worth your time

A historic Shingon sect temple in Atsugi featuring ancient statues and a massive camphor tree designated as a natural monument.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple established by Gyoki during the Nara period.
• The site enshrines a statue of Yakushi Nyorai as its primary deity.
• The original buildings were destroyed by fire during Takeda Shingen's invasion in the 1560s.
• The temple scroll preserves the local legend of Shimazu Tadahisa.

What to see

• A massive camphor tree designated as a Kanagawa Prefecture natural monument.
• The Yakushi-do hall which is an Atsugi City tangible cultural property.
• Statues of Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu housed within the temple grounds.
• A designated bronze bell recognized as a city tangible cultural property.
• A Shumidan altar that received official designation in 2013.

Getting there

• The temple is a two-minute walk from the Tsumada Yakushi bus stop.

Read more about Henshō-in Temple

A historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Kawasaki featuring a 17th-century hall and ancient National Important Cultural Property statues.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple dedicated to the deity Yakushi Nyorai.
• Excavations date the origins of this site back to the late 7th century.
• The temple historically served as the district temple for the Tachibana District.
• It was previously known by the names Eiko-ji, Yoko-ji, and Inage Yakushi.

What to see

• The Yakushi-do hall which was rebuilt in 1694.
• A wooden Yakushi Nyorai triad designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The stone foundation remaining from a former three-story pagoda.
• The Yakushi-do hall is recognized as a Kanagawa Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by bus from Musashi-Kosugi Station.
• The temple is located 300 meters north of Nakahara Road.

Official site

yougouji.jp

Read more about Yogo-ji Temple

An octagonal Buddhist hall in Kamakura housing historic Jizo statues and linked to the daughter of Minamoto no Yoritomo.

What it is

• A Buddhist hall managed by Kaizo-ji Temple in the Ogigayatsu area of Kamakura.
• The fifteenth station of the Kamakura 24 Jizo Pilgrimage route.
• A site traditionally linked to Ohime, the daughter of Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo.
• The current octagonal structure was completed in 2001 using Japanese cypress and copper.

What to see

• A stone statue of Jizo Bosatsu standing approximately 130 centimeters tall.
• A wooden Jizo statue carved in 1690 by the artist Mitsuhashi Souyu.
• The distinctive octagonal architecture of the hall with its copper-plated roof.
• The interior remains generally closed but the exterior and grounds are visible.

Getting there

• The hall is located about a 15 minute walk from Kamakura Station.

Read more about Iwafune Jizō-dō

This Rinzai Zen temple is worth visiting for its bamboo grove and seasonal flowers.

What it is

• Rinzai Zen temple, founded 1334.
• Founded to pray for Ashikaga Ietoki's soul.
• Founding priest was Tengan Eko.
• One of the Ashikaga family temples.

What to see

• Bamboo grove with 2,000 moso bamboo plants.
• Stone lanterns and a teahouse in the grove.
• Quiet moss garden with statues at the entrance.
• Seasonal flowers year-round: cherry blossoms, azaleas, irises, ginkgo, camellias, apricots.
• Three yagura (artificial caves) used as tombs.
• Statue of Gautama Buddha in the main hall.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms, azaleas, and irises.
• Autumn for bright yellow ginkgo leaves.
• Winter for camellias and Japanese apricots.
• Year-round for colorful natural beauty.

Address

神奈川県鎌倉市浄明寺2丁目7−4 Map

Official site

houkokuji.or.jp

Read more about Hōkoku-ji Temple

A historic Nichiren sect temple in Kamakura housing sacred ashes and the grave of a legendary master swordsmith.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple founded in 1436 by Ichijo-bo Nichide.
• Known as Higashi Minobu because it houses a portion of Nichiren's ashes.
• Designated as a Japan Heritage site in 2016.
• Features several buildings registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties.

What to see

• The main hall which was reconstructed in 1923.
• A mountain gate relocated from the Miura Peninsula during the Meiji era.
• The grave of the famous swordsmith Okazaki Masamune.
• A bell tower containing a bronze bell dated to 1410.
• A shrine on the grounds dedicated to the deity Ebisu.

Getting there

• The temple is located a short walk from Kamakura Station.

Read more about Hongaku-ji Temple

A 15th-century Rinzai sect temple in Zama featuring a cultural property statue and a serene pond with a waterfall.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple founded around the year 1461.
• Seiei Gyoku founded the site as a disciple of Etsugan Koi.
• Shirai Oribe Korefusa served as the founding patron of the temple.
• The temple is dedicated to the main deity Shaka Nyorai.

What to see

• A Shaka Nyorai statue designated as a Zama City Important Cultural Property.
• A memorial pagoda dedicated to the castle lord Iwaki Tsunetaka.
• The Fudo-ike pond featuring a waterfall and a statue of Fudo-son.
• A Chionanthus retusus tree located on the left side of the main hall.

Getting there

• A nine-minute walk from Zama Station.
• A thirteen-minute walk from Iriya Station.

Read more about Shingan-ji Temple

A 17th-century Shingon-shu temple in Yokohama featuring a historic wooden Kannon statue and a monument to Sun Yat-sen.

What it is

• A temple of the Shingon-shu Omuro school founded in 1624
• Established by feudal lord Toyoshima Akishige to honor his mother
• Located in the Kanazawa Ward of Yokohama near Tomioka Sogo Park

What to see

• A wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statue designated as a Prefectural Important Cultural Property
• A monument commemorating Sun Yat-sen located at the front gate
• The neighboring grounds of Tomioka Hachiman-gu Shrine

Getting there

• A fifteen minute walk from Keikyu Tomioka Station
• Buses from Shin-Sugita Station stop at Tomioka Higashi Junior High School
• Buses from Isogo Station stop at the Miya-no-mae bus stop

Read more about Keisan-ji Temple

A historic Rinzai Zen temple in Yokosuka housing rare Buddhist statues and the mausoleum of a prominent local warrior.

What it is

• A temple of the Engaku-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism founded in 1104.
• Established by Miura Yoshitsugu to mourn the passing of Miura Tametsugu.
• The grounds serve as the site for the mausoleum of Miura Tametsugu.

What to see

• A wooden Takimi Kannon statue from Song Dynasty China designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The former main deity which is a wooden Bishamonten statue and Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• The mausoleum dedicated to the warrior Miura Tametsugu located on the temple grounds.

Getting there

• The temple is a ten-minute walk from the Kinugasa-joshi bus stop.

Read more about Seiun-ji Temple

A historic Nichiren Shu temple in Kawasaki featuring a 1961 main hall and proximity to local plum gardens.

What it is

• A Nichiren Shu temple in Kawasaki City affiliated with Ikegami Honmon-ji.
• Founded in 1506 as a Shingon sect temple before converting in 1526.
• The temple moved to its current location in 1724.
• The main hall was rebuilt in 1961 after damage from the Kawasaki Air Raid.

What to see

• The reconstructed main hall originally completed in 1961.
• Kuji Cylindrical Settling Basin located a two minute walk from the grounds.
• Kuji Plum Garden situated within a six minute walk of the temple.

Getting there

• A twelve minute walk from Mizonokuchi Station.
• A ten minute drive from the Keihin Kawasaki Interchange.

Read more about Jōgen-ji Temple

A Nichiren Buddhist temple in Kamakura famous for safe childbirth prayers and its historical ties to Minamoto no Yoritomo.

What it is

• A standalone Nichiren Buddhist temple colloquially referred to as Onmesama
• Founded by Priest Nicho and moved to its current location in 1320
• A site widely known for visitors offering prayers for safe childbirth
• Historically supported by the Hojo clan and the Tokugawa shogunate

What to see

• The main hall which was rebuilt in 1931 following fire and earthquake damage
• A crystal pagoda containing the remains of the deity Ubume Reijin
• A stone monument marking the site of Minamoto no Yoritomo's military councils
• Temple grounds that provide a connection between Komachi-oji and Wakamiya-oji streets

Official site

onmesama.ec-net.jp

Read more about Daigyō-ji Temple

A historic Jodo sect temple in Yokohama featuring rare sliding door paintings by Utagawa Hiroshige and Tokugawa clan heritage.

What it is

• A Jodo sect temple founded in 1523 by Ninomiya Oribenosho.
• The site originated from a former location known as Hongaku-in.
• A temple historically protected by the powerful Hojo and Tokugawa clans.
• An institution permitted to display the official Tokugawa hollyhock crest.

What to see

• Sliding door paintings created by the famous artist Utagawa Hiroshige.
• A mountain cherry blossom painting designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• Artistic works discovered by Yone Nogiro in 1928.

Getting there

• The temple is a seventeen minute walk from Kozukue Station.

Read more about Senkoku-ji Temple

The only Jodo Shinshu temple in Kamakura, founded by Hojo Yasutsugu and home to a historic city-monument juniper tree.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu temple in Kamakura dedicated to the deity Amida Nyorai
• Founded by Hojo Yasutsugu during the Kamakura period
• Originally established as a Tendai sect temple before converting in 1232
• The only temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect located within Kamakura City

What to see

• A large Chinese juniper tree designated as a city monument
• The final resting place of the famous Japanese actor Chishu Ryu
• Traditional temple architecture belonging to the Kikkosan mountain name

Getting there

• Located a five-minute walk from the Kobukuroya bus stop

Read more about Jōfuku-ji Temple

A historic Jishu sect temple founded in 1194 by Minamoto no Yoritomo to honor the fallen warrior Miura Yoshiaki.

What it is

• A Jishu sect temple founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1194
• Dedicated to the memory of the warrior Miura Yoshiaki
• Originally established as a Shingon sect temple named Nozo-ji
• Converted to the Jishu sect by the monk On'a

What to see

• The main object of worship is a statue of Amida Nyorai
• A central deity that served as the guardian Buddha of Miura Yoshiaki
• Two stone pagodas located on the temple grounds
• The grave of Miura Yoshiaki and the grave of Tatara Shigeharu

Getting there

• Located an eighteen minute walk from Kamakura Station

Official site

raikouji.com

Read more about Raikō-ji Temple

Hase-dera Temple is a historic Jodo sect temple, home to one of Japan's largest wooden Buddha statues.

What it is

• A standalone Jodo sect temple.
• Also known as Hase Kannon.
• Designated a Japan Heritage cultural property in 2016.
• Fourth temple of the Bando Sanjusan Kannon pilgrimage.

What to see

• Eleven-faced Kannon statue, one of Japan's largest wooden Buddha statues.
• Amida Nyorai seated statue in the Amida-do Hall.
• Daikokuten statue enshrined in the Daikoku-do Hall.
• Bell from 1264, an Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Known as a hydrangea temple.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway.

Address

神奈川県鎌倉市長谷3丁目11番2号 Map

Official site

www.hasedera.jp

Read more about Hase-dera Temple

Kōsai-ji is a historic Buddhist temple housing a designated cultural property, worth visiting for its tranquil atmosphere.

What it is

• A Tōji Shingon sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded as a bettō-ji for Yagura Myōjinja shrine.
• Revived in 1409 by the monk Eikai.
• Also known as Kōsai-mitsuji.

What to see

• The principal image is Fudō Myōō.
• A wooden seated Jizō Bosatsu statue in Jizō-dō hall.
• The Jizō Bosatsu statue is a city cultural property.
• The statue dates from the Kamakura to Nanboku-chō period.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Daiyūzan Station.
• 6-minute bus ride from Daiyūzan Station to Kōsaiji bus stop.
• Parking is available on the west side of the grounds.

Address

神奈川県南足柄市弘西寺131 Map

Official site

kosaimitsuji.jimbofree.com

Read more about Kōsai-ji

Kofukuji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with ties to a samurai family.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin during the Jowa era (834-848).
• Restored by Choben Ajari in the Kamakura period.
• Temple grounds were the residence of Inage Shigenari.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines a seated statue of Inage Shigenari.
• Main hall holds ancestral tablets of the Inage family.
• Inage Shigenari's grave is in the cemetery.
• Wooden standing Kannon statue is a cultural property.
• Wooden standing Jizo Bosatsu statue is a cultural property.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Mukogaoka-Yuen Station.

Address

神奈川県川崎市多摩区枡形6-7-1 Map

Read more about Kōfuku-ji Temple

A historic Jodo sect temple in Kamakura housing a designated cultural property statue and serving as a ceremonial gateway to Komyoji.

What it is

• A Jodo sect temple located in Kamakura City adjacent to Komyoji Temple.
• The site was previously occupied by a Shingon temple named Renjo-ji.
• The priest Ryochu resided here during the construction of Komyoji in the 1240s.
• New Komyoji abbots must visit this site before entering their own temple.

What to see

• A standing statue of Amida Nyorai housed within the temple grounds.
• The Amida Nyorai statue is a designated Kamakura City tangible cultural property.

Getting there

• The temple is a twenty-six minute walk from Kamakura Station.

Read more about Renjō-in Temple

An independent Shingon temple in Kawasaki housing a rare, city-designated wooden statue of the deity Tobatsu Bishamonten.

What it is

• An independent temple of the Shingon sect located in Kawasaki City.
• The legendary founder of this religious site is the monk Gyoki.
• Historical records date the temple back to at least the Tensho era.
• It serves as the home for a significant cultural monument designated in 1974.

What to see

• A wooden standing statue of Tobatsu Bishamonten designated as an Important Historical Monument.
• The central statue stands uniquely on the hands of the earth goddess.

Getting there

• The temple is a twelve minute walk from Tsurukawa Station.

Read more about Touko-in Temple

A historic Nichiren sect temple in Zushi featuring a sacred cave where the monk Nichiren once sought refuge from persecution.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple founded in 1321 by the priest Rokei
• Built on the site of a cave where Nichiren allegedly hid
• Contains the grave of Nichiro, a senior disciple of Nichiren
• The current structures were rebuilt in 1603 and 1924

What to see

• A cave containing a stone tower dating back to 1352
• The Soshido hall which was constructed in 1924
• A shrine on the grounds dedicated to Sanno Gongen
• A historic stone quarry site located on the ridge behind the temple

Getting there

• Located a 20-minute walk from JR Zushi Station

Read more about Hossho-ji Temple

Jimmu-ji Temple: a historic Tendai temple with a hidden Buddha and unique natural setting.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded in Numama, Zushi City.
• One of the Zushi Eight Views.

What to see

• Main hall, Yakushido, built in 1598.
• Yakushido is a cultural property.
• Hidden Buddha statue is the principal image.
• Two painted silk scrolls are cultural properties.
• Large tree is one of Kanagawa's 100 famous trees.
• Surrounded by tuff rock formations.

When to go

• Hidden Buddha shown once every 33 years.
• Hidden Buddha also shown on December 13th.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Jimmuji Station.

Address

神奈川県逗子市沼間2丁目1402 Map

Read more about Jimmu-ji Temple