Admission
Free
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
At a Glance
The shrine centers on a cave spring believed to multiply money washed in its water, which gave Zeniarai Benten its fame.
Zeniarai Benten is one of the minority of shrines in Japan that still visibly preserve shinbutsu shūgō, the blending of Shinto and Buddhism.
This shrine offers 1 different goshuin designs
Regular
Free
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Be prepared to walk through low tunnels carved into the rock to enter the shrine, as the entire complex is hidden within a natural rock hollow, creating a unique cave-like atmosphere.
The shrine is located about 30 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station in the western part of the city, so plan for either a long walk or consider taking a taxi if you prefer not to walk the distance.
Bring coins and bills to wash in the sacred spring water inside the cave, as the ritual of washing money (zeniarai) is believed to multiply your wealth and is the main attraction of this shrine.
Visit the nearby Genjiyama Park after your shrine visit, as it is located close by and makes for a convenient combination to maximize your time in western Kamakura.
Bring coins or small bills to wash at the cave spring; visitors believe money cleansed here will multiply.
Despite being a small shrine, expect crowds as this is the second most popular spot in Kamakura after Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, so arriving early on weekdays will give you a more peaceful experience.
1 recent visits and photo contributions
BLPro memberBarbara LindPro left a review
Ein ruhiger Ort. Schöne Atmosphäre
BLPro memberBarbara LindPro checked in
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1 review
Plan on about a 30-minute walk from Kamakura Station, or take a taxi if you'd rather skip it. You enter through low tunnels carved into the rock, so watch your head as you duck inside the cave hollow that houses the shrine.
The main draw is the zeniarai ritual: bring coins or small bills to wash in the sacred spring water, as visitors believe the money will multiply afterward. The cave atmosphere makes it feel genuinely different from a standard shrine visit.
Despite its small size, this place draws serious crowds, so aim for an early weekday arrival if you want some quiet. Genjiyama Park is right nearby and pairs well as a second stop on the same outing.
BLPro memberBarbara LindPro left a review
Ein ruhiger Ort. Schöne Atmosphäre
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
What this place is believed to grant
Fascinating facts about this place
The shrine centers on a cave spring believed to multiply money washed in its water, which gave Zeniarai Benten its fame.
Zeniarai Benten is one of the minority of shrines in Japan that still visibly preserve shinbutsu shūgō, the blending of Shinto and Buddhism.
Despite being a small shrine hidden in a rock hollow, Zeniarai Benten is the second most popular spot in Kamakura after Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, drawing crowds who believe washing money multiplies wealth.
This shrine is one of the few in Japan that still openly displays shinbutsu shūgō (fusion of Shinto and Buddhism), worshipping Ugafukujin merged with the Buddhist goddess Benzaiten, a practice banned in the 1870s.
Seasonal celebrations and special occasions
More ways to continue from this place.
