Engaku-ji（円覚寺）
Engaku-ji – Kamakura’s Temple of Perfect Enlightenment
Engaku-ji is the second most important Zen temple in Kamakura and one of the great temples of the Kamakura period. It lies just north of the city centre in Kita-Kamakura, where the train station now stands on what once was temple ground. The railway cuts off the entrance gate and pond from the main complex, a reminder of how vast the temple used to be.
Founded in 1277 by the regent Hōjō Tokimune and Zen master Mugaku Sogen, Engaku-ji was built in response to the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281. Tokimune dedicated the temple to those who had died in battle, while Sogen shaped it into a centre of Zen practice. A copy of the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment was unearthed during construction, inspiring the temple’s name.
Legend says that at the opening ceremony, white deer appeared and listened to Sogen’s sermon. Seen as a sign of good fortune, this gave the temple its mountain name, Zuiroku-san (瑞鹿山) – Auspicious Deer Mountain. At its peak, Engaku-ji oversaw 40 sub-temples; today 18 remain, scattered across the wooded hillside.
Engaku-ji was originally planned for the Chinese Zen master Lanxi Daolong, who passed away before its completion. Instead, it became closely tied to the charisma of Tokimune, remembered for his leadership during the Mongol threat, and to the lasting influence of Sogen’s Zen teaching.
Visiting Engaku-ji today still carries the atmosphere of these beginnings. Steep approaches, wooden halls, and quiet sub-temples give a sense of depth and history, while its mountain name connects the temple to a legend that has lasted for centuries.
Read more in our eBook!
Engaku-ji Temple Guide
This eBook introduces Engaku-ji in Kamakura, a major Zen temple founded after the Mongol invasions and named for the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment.
Perfect for history enthusiasts, Zen practitioners, and travellers interested in Kamakura’s temple heritage.
Discover the stories of Hōjō Tokimune, Mugaku Sogen, and the legends that shaped this temple
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Gallery
Directions
How to get to the garden
Yokusuka Line between Kamakura and Tokyo, Kita-Kamakura station.
The train stops directly in front of the temple. Another option is to take a long walk from Kamakura station to Kita-Kamakura.
Address
- EN: 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062, Japan
- JP: 〒247-0062 神奈川県山ノ内409
Opening times
- Mar – Nov 08:30 – 16:30
- Dec – Feb 08:30 – 16:00
Admission fee
- Adults: 500 yen
- Elementary and Junior High School Students: 200 yen
Facilities & Accessibility
- There are two shops where you can buy religious items.
- The temple is not barrier-free.
Best time to visit
- The temple is especially beautiful from Mid-February to Mid-March when the plums are flowering.
- Late November to Mid December for autumn foliage.
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