Overview
Held to be the first full Zen temple in Japan, and first of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura.
About this place
Kenchō-ji (建長寺) is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which ranks first among Kamakura's so-called Five Great Zen Temples (the Kamakura Gozan) and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. These temples were at the top of the Five Mountain System, a network of Zen temples started by the Hōjō Regents. Still very large, it originally had a full shichidō garan and 49 subtemples. It was founded by Chinese monk Lanxi Daolong, also known as Rankei Doryū, of the Song dynasty at the invitation of Hōjō Tokiyori. The temple was constructed on the orders of Emperor Go-Fukakusa and completed in 1253, fifth year of the Kenchō era, from which it takes its name. The sangō is Kofukusan (巨福山).
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Key facts
Founded:1253 Shrine rank:Kamakura Gozan, No. 1 Designation:Important Cultural Property Blessings:Warding off evil
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Official website
Check the official website for current opening hours, fees and closing days.
Source kenchoji.com ↗Before you go
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Same place in other collections
Kenchoji
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