Zuisen-ji (Flower Temple)（瑞泉寺 （花寺））
Kamakura’s Hidden Flower Temple in the Eastern Hills
Zuisen-ji, also known as the Flower Temple, is a small temple tucked into the eastern mountains of Kamakura. Its nickname comes from the flower garden in front of the main hall, which many consider the most beautiful in Kamakura. The temple is a branch of Engaku-ji in Kita-Kamakura.
Musō Soseki, a renowned Zen priest, poet, and garden designer, founded Zuisen-ji in 1327 with the support of Nikaidō Dōun, a powerful lord from the Yamanashi region.
After walking up the steep approach, visitors can rest under a wisteria arbor while enjoying a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. This viewpoint is especially famous in autumn, when the forests below blaze with vivid reds, oranges, and yellows.
The temple garden feels almost enchanted. Gnarled, moss-covered trees, flowering shrubs, and scattered perennials partially hide stone lanterns and garden stones, giving the garden a natural, overgrown charm. Compared to more manicured temple grounds, Zuisen-ji’s garden feels spontaneous and alive.
Behind the temple lies the Zen rock garden, designed by Musō Soseki himself. He carved a pond, a cave, and islands directly from the mountain’s stone. Though the steep passage leading up to the meditation arbor and viewpoint is closed to the public, its presence adds to the garden’s mystery.
The temple’s mountain name (san-gō) is Kinpei-zan (錦屏山), meaning Brocade-Wall Mountain. It refers to the nearby hills, which glow like embroidered fabric when their leaves turn in autumn.
Read more in our eBook!
Zuisen-ji Garden Guide
This eBook explores Zuisen-ji garden in Kamakura, a hidden temple famed for its floral beauty and Zen garden carved from rock.
Ideal for garden lovers, spiritual seekers, and fans of Musō Soseki’s legacy.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Gallery
Directions
How to get to the garden
Zuisen-ji is located in the far east of Kamakura, rather distant from Kamakura Station.
On foot: It takes about 45-50 minutes to reach Zuisen-ji by foot from Kamakura Station or about 30 minutes from Hachimangu Shrine. The temple can also be reached via the attractive Tenen hiking trail which starts at Kencho-ji and leads through the wooded hills north of Kamakura in about 60-90 minutes.
By bus: The closest bus station to Zuisen-ji is located at Kamakura-gu Shrine. Take the bus 鎌20 towards Ōtō-nomiya 大塔宮 (鎌倉宮Kamakura-Gu ) from bus stop number 4. Get of at the last stop and walk from there about 10-15 minutes.
Address
- EN: 710 Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002
- JP: 〒248-0002 神奈川県鎌倉市二階堂710
Opening times
- 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry: 16:30)
Admission fee
- Adults: 200 yen
- Elementary and Junior High School Students: 100 yen
Facilities & Accessibility
- This temple has a historic relevance since the garden was built by famous Muso-Kokushi, a Zen monk who revolutionized the gardens in Kyoto.
- The temple is not barrier-free.
Best time to visit
- The flower temple has season the whole year.
- It is especially beautiful from Mid-February to Mid-March when the plums are flowering.
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