Zôjôji

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Zôjôji in the city of Minato is one of the most noted temple complexes in the Tokyo area. Founded in 1393, it was renovated and expanded upon when it became the primary temple of the Tokugawa family. Zôjôji was also the first resting place of the Edo period founder Tokugawa Ieyasu before he was moved to his current resting place at Nikko Tôshôgû in the mountains. Zôjôji is the leading temple of the Judo sect (not the martial arts) in Japan. 

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

Zôjôji is a quintessential temple complex in the heart of Minato, one of the many cities within the Tokyo megalopolis. Easy to get to by subway and right next to Tokyo Tower, Daimon, and Hamarikyu Gardens, Zôjôji is a great place to go to if there is little time to see so much.

 

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.