Admission
- Adult (18+)¥300
- High School Student (15-18)¥200
- Elementary/Junior High (6-14)¥100
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
At a Glance
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.
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.
This temple offers goshuin, but we don't have photos yet. Be the first to share yours!
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Allow extra time if you want to collect goshuin (temple stamps), as there are four different types available but the hand-written versions take time to prepare. If you're on a tight schedule, ask for the pre-written versions instead.
Walk 12 minutes east from JR Kamakura Station's east exit, passing the third torii gate of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and turning at that intersection. The temple's location makes it easy to combine with a visit to the famous shrine.
Look for the Bishamonten deity inside Hokai-ji, one of the seven stops on the Kamakura Shichifukujin pilgrimage route. You can join this traditional temple circuit if you want to collect stamps from all the temples.
1 recent visits and photo contributions
FMFlora Mendoza shared a goshuin
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
What this place is believed to grant
Fascinating facts about this place
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.
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.
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.
Share how your visit was to help other travelers.
More ways to continue from this place.
