Buddhist temple
Kenchō-ji
建長寺（けんちょうじ）
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
The head temple (daihonzan) of the Kenchō-ji branch of the Rinzai school, in Kita-Kamakura, regarded as first of the Five Mountains of Kamakura. Jizō Bosatsu is enshrined as the principal image in its Buddha hall (Butsuden).
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Jizō Bosatsu (Buddha hall)
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, the regent Hōjō Tokiyori invited Rankei Dōryū (Daikaku Zenji), who had come from China, as founding priest, and the temple is said to have been dedicated in Kenchō 5 (1253). Before its founding, the valley is said to have held a hall of the temple Shinpei-ji, whose principal image was Jizō Bosatsu, and in Tenshō 19 Tokugawa Ieyasu donated temple lands.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 建長寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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