A peaceful Zen Temple with a beautiful garden away from Kamakura's crowds

4.5
旅行時期：2026/08（約3ヶ月前）

by Cyberさん（男性）

鎌倉クチコミ：13件

鎌倉駅界隈の商店街から離れた場所にあるからか、大型バスを利用する集団の参拝客でもいない限り、休日でも比較的静かな寺院である。鎌倉駅から徒歩で行けない程距離が離れているわけではないが、坂道を登る関係上、参拝客の多くは車やバスなどを利用する。
三門から方丈（龍王殿）までは勾配はほとんど無いが、方丈から半僧坊への道のりは坂道になっている。境内の全ての建物を見て回るなら、歩きやすい服装と靴を着用した方がいいだろう。
坐禅や写経など、心を落ち着かせ、あるいは静かに集中させるための催しがあることでも有名であるが、最も勧めるところと言えば、方丈（龍王殿）の庭園だろう。車の往来や人々の喧騒は遥か遠く、静かで穏やかな空気が流れる中での庭園鑑賞は、極上のひと時を味わえる。庭園を鑑賞する際の通路がやや狭く、腰掛けられる椅子等は無いが、参拝客が少ない日や時間帯を狙えば、庭園を独り占めできると言っても過言ではない。
この寺院では、是非一人か少人数で、あまりお喋りをせず静かに参拝することをお勧めする（勿論、他の寺院でも騒がしくすることはご法度であるが）。喧騒が少なく爽やかな空気を感じながら境内を散策するといいだろう。

Perhaps because it's located away from the busy shopping streets around Kamakura Station, this temple tends to be relatively quiet even on weekends, unless a large group of visitors arrives by tour bus.
The temple is not so far from Kamakura Station that walking there would be impractical. However, as the route involves an uphill climb, many visitors seem to prefer arriving by car or bus.
The path from the Sanmon (main temple gate) to the Hojo (Ryuo-den) is mostly level, but the route from the Hojo to Hansobo involves walking uphill. If you intend to explore all the buildings and areas within the temple grounds, I would recommend wearing comfortable clothing and suitable walking shoes.
The temple is also well known for offering activities such as zazen (seated Zen meditation) and shakyo (the practice of copying Buddhist sutras by hand), both of which provide opportunities to calm the mind and focus quietly.
However, if I were to recommend just one highlight, it would undoubtedly be the garden at the Hojo (Ryuo-den).
Here, the sounds of passing cars and the bustle of everyday life seem far away. Taking in the garden amid such peaceful surroundings, with a gentle sense of stillness in the air, is an exceptionally relaxing and rewarding experience.
The walkway from which visitors can admire the garden is somewhat narrow, and there are no chairs or benches where you can sit down. Nevertheless, if you visit on a quieter day or at a less busy time, it's hardly an exaggeration to say that you may have the entire garden almost to yourself.
I would particularly recommend visiting this temple alone or in a small group and taking the time to explore it quietly, without engaging in too much conversation. Of course, being considerate and avoiding unnecessary noise is important at any temple, but I feel that the peaceful atmosphere here makes quiet contemplation especially worthwhile.
Rather than rushing from one building to another, I would encourage visitors to stroll leisurely through the temple grounds, enjoying the fresh air and the welcome absence of the noise and crowds often found in more popular sightseeing areas.