Entrance of Engakuji Temple ->Engakuji->Meigetsuin->Tokeiji->Kita Kamakura Station

Engakuji is ranked second among Kamakura’s Five Mountains.
From the entrance, all the major buildings were built in a straight line. Great Bell is a national treasure. After worshiping the main object at the main hall, you can enjoy nice scenery from the pricincts of Ryuinan located on a small hill and of Hojo (ten feet)
Garden. There is an 800-year old Zen Meditation Hall near a shariden, reliquary hall. This hall still plays an importance functional role to keep healing people’s mind.

Meigetsuin is known as a flower temple. You can view from a round window of a tatami mat room in the main temple a Japanese garden with rocks and sand called karesansui.
The round shape of the window is said to indicate a state of enlightenment of Zen. The garden of karesansui made only of rocks and sand was originally built as a place for training. Also their well is chosen as one of the ten best wells of Kamakura. The sound of dipping water from a well bucket is very soothing. Minute beauty of Japan is felt by flowers arranged in vases located in many places in the precincts.

In Edo era, women were not allowed to get divorced. Japan’s feudal government approved only this convent as a place for women to take shelter and get divorced. This temple stores documents showing long histories of endurance, sorrow, and torments.

The following items are on display:
Gold-sprinkled lacquerware, paintings, calligraphic works, ancient documents

A worldly famous Daisetsu Suzuki’s grave is located in the precincts. He wrote a book titled Zen and Japanese Culture.