Built on the site where the powerful Hōjō clan met their tragic end, this temple was founded by Emperor Go-Daigo and Ashikaga Takauji specifically to pray for the souls of the defeated Hōjō family after the fall of Kamakura.

As the first temple on the Kamakura Jizō pilgrimage route and home to one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Bishamonten), Hōkai-ji serves as a spiritual gateway for multiple sacred journeys through the historic city.

This is one of the rare Tendai Buddhist temples in Kamakura, a city dominated by Zen temples, making it an unusual spiritual outlier in the ancient capital.

The temple grounds transform with each season—famous for autumn bush clover (hagi), spring cherry blossoms and plum flowers create a year-round floral calendar that draws nature lovers throughout the year.