Kamakura Grand Temples and Autumn Leaves🍁 plus Enoshima Spa ♨️ (optional)

Let’s see the sights and nature of Kamakura together.

◾️After you have applied to join this event, please contact Mark Sensei via the Line application quoting your FULL NAME and this message: [Kamakura - 30th November] MARK’s LINE ACCOUNT

◾️参加されるイベントの名前(フルネーム)と日付を付けてマーク先生にLINEしてください!

例:[Kamakura - 30th November] MARK’s LINE ACCOUNT

We'll leave Kita-Kamakura station at 9.30am, so please ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes earlier.

We’ll visit the grand temples of:

Kenchōji

Meigetsuin

Thereafter we’ll head to Kamakura station and take a bus to Hōkokuji, where we’ll have matcha and sweets in the bamboo garden.

We'll find a cafe to have lunch, but please bring your own snacks too if you wish.

As an extra, you can join me at Enospa in Enoshima - a relaxing water zone, indoor and outdoor (5.30-7.30pm).

You need to bring:

Additional money for temple fees, and return bus fare to Hōkokuji. The matcha/sweets fee at Hōkokuji is currently ¥600.

Lunch as there might not be a convenience store en-route in the morning.

Bathing costume if you wish to join me at Enospa in the evening.

Return Enoden fare Kamakura-Enoshima.

The preeminent and oldest of the Zen temples in Kamakura , KENCHŌJI Temple features a wide variety of temple buildings and sub-temples. If you are lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji from the highest shrine.

Established in 1253, Kenchoji was originally the exclusive Zen training temple in Japan. A 760-year-old juniper tree stands proudly before the temple as a symbol of the temple's and sect's longevity. The garden and bell are both recognized by the government as objects of national pride.

The grounds are substantial, extending deep into the wooded hills behind. The garden is simply stunning, with exquisitely delineated ponds and some sublime use of borrowed scenery. The view from the observation platform at the highest point of the grounds is gorgeous, particularly in the autumn when the maple leaves are in full flush.

MEIGETSUIN is a temple of the Rinzai Zen Sect founded in 1160 in Kamakura. It is also known as Ajisaidera ("Hydrangea Temple") because hydrangeas bloom in abundance on the temple grounds during the rainy season around June. 95% of the hydrangeas here are of the Hime Ajisai ("Princess Hydrangea") variety, which are colored blue.

The temple was originally a repose built by a son in memory of his father who had died in the struggle for power between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the late Heian Period (710-1185). It later became part of a larger temple complex called Zenkoji, which was abolished during anti-Buddhist movements soon after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, leaving only Meigetsuin to remain as an individual temple today.

In the back of Meigetsuin's lush temple grounds stands the main hall (Hojo). The building features a nice circular window, which frames the scenery of the inner garden behind it.

Secluded in the hills of eastern Kamakura, HŌKUKUJI is a small temple of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism. Originally founded during the early years of the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), Hokokuji was the family temple of the ruling Ashikaga Clan.

Hokokuji Temple, however, is best known for the beautiful, small bamboo grove found behind the temple's main hall, which lies thick with over 2000 dark green bamboo stalks. A few narrow pathways lead through the bamboo to a tea house from where you can enjoy views into the bamboo grove.

Event fee:
¥800 - early discount if you pay by 22nd November evening (PayPay, or in cash at an earlier event)
¥1250 on/after 23rd November.

Cancellation policy:

• Full refund given if cancellation is notified BY LINE MESSAGE at least 24 hours before the event start time.
• Cancellation within 24 hours of the event start time or no-showing requires full payment of the event fee.