Myohonji

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Myohonji, located in the southeast hills of Kamakura, is a Nichiren sect Buddhist temple. Founded by Nichiren in 1260, it is one of the oldest Nichiren temples in Japan. Further connected to other temples and shrines in Kamakura by a mountain trail, Myohonji is one of the key temples in the area. 

For the casual: 7. For the educated:6.

Myohonji is a great little temple nestled into the hillside. The monks of the temple take care of the variety of plants on the temple grounds making it one of the most beautiful natural temples I've seen. With a massive main hall and a statue to Nichiren to the left of it, the temple itself is also fairly impressive.

The front gate to the temple at the base of a short flight of stairs.

The main hall of Myohonji.

 

Jôchiji (Kamakura Gozan #4)

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Jôchiji is the 4th of the Kamakura Gozan (see Kenchôji) and was built in 1283 by the Hôjô family to commemorate the untimely death of a Hôjô son. Inside are the Buddhist Trinity of Amida (Past), Shakyamuni (Present), and Maitreya/Miroku (Future). 

For the casual: 5. For the educated: 5.

Jôchiji is a great little temple to visit not too far from Kenchôji and Engakuji, and is in a quiet little area. The people there are extremely nice.

 

Jufukuji (Kamakura Gozan #3)

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Number 3 of the Kamakura Gozan (refer to Kenchôji), Jufukuji is not like most temples. Originally the ancestral home of the Kamakura Period founder Minamoto no Yoritomo, it was converted into a temple by his wife Hôjô Masako after his death. The first head priest of the temple was Eisai, the monk who is noted for formally introducing Japan to Zen Buddhism. Though her husband had passed, Masako was a guiding figure behind the Kamakura leadership from her residence in Jufukuji until she passed. She, along with her son Sanetomo (see Tsurugaoka Hachimangû) were buried on the temple grounds.

For the casual: 5. For the educated: 8.

Jufukuji holds a special place in Kamakura history because of Masako and Eisai, but the temple does not hold the same level of visual prowess that other temples in the area do. Jufukuji is well noted for its long walkway to the temple, but the temple looks like the house that it really is. Also, visitors are welcomed to the temple to collect Goshinchô (see Goshuinchô tab) but entrance to the temple is for private members only. That being said, the walkway and the front garden are beautifully maintained and the monks are very nice.

 

Jomyôji (Kamakura Gozan #5)

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Jomyôji is the fifth of the Kamakura Gozan (refer to Kenchôji for description of the system). Founded by the Ashikaga Shogunate, Jomyôji used to be much bigger than it is today. It used to be a massive complex, but fires and earthquakes have ravaged this temple leaving only its historic main hall standing from the original structures. The main hall is dedicated to the Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) and to the left of the main hall is a tea house with a pristine rock garden. The quiet styling of Jomyôji is such a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas of Kamakura.

For the casual: 7. To the educated: 7.

If you want to find a great place to go that's away from the typical tourist spots, Jomyôji is one of the places to go. Check Google Maps or whatever you want and find some places. For those interested, try searching for all of the Kamakura Gozan since three of the five are quiet off-the-beaten-path sorts of places despite their significance in Japan's spiritual history.