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Kamakura (鎌倉) is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, where the Kamakura Shogunate was established by the Minamoto no Yoritomo dynasty at the end of the 12th century and the samurai regime began. Kamakura is not only an ancient capital, but also a treasure trove of temples and shrines.
Nowadays, whether you want to visit the famous temples and monasteries, stroll around the old Japanese streets, or come to visit Kamakura for Dunkirk, Kamakura is not to be missed, and the autumn scenery is even better, so this article will reveal the must-visit autumn foliage in Kamakura! At the end of this article are the best times to see the leaves.
🤗 01 Genji Mountain Park
Genji Mountain (げんじやま) is also known as White Flag Mountain. It is said that the Genji family planted white flags on this mountain to pray for victory in battle. Nowadays, what makes this place more impressive is not only the statue of Yoritomo Minamoto, but also the cherry blossom trees and maple trees that fill the mountain. Because of this, Genjiyama Park becomes a popular spot every spring and fall.
It receives plenty of sunshine and has a large temperature difference between day and night, which helps the leaves change color in autumn. The mountain is covered with red leaves from late November every year. It is very nice to take a rest at the park square or walk along the trestle in the park. On a clear day, you can also enjoy a view of Mt.
Genji Mountain Park
Address: 4-649-1 Ogatani, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa-ken
🤗 02 Kenchoji Temple
There are five temples in the North Kamakura area that are famous for their foliage, and Kencho-ji Temple is at the top of the list. Kenchoji Temple, also known as Jofukuyama Kencho Kokoku Zenji Temple, was built in 1253 when the practice of Rinzai Zen, a form of Zen Buddhism practiced in China during the Song Dynasty, was popular in Japan, and the temple, which is modeled after a Chinese temple, was built as a special training center. The temple is famous for its Brahma bell, a national treasure of Japan, which is called the best in the Kanto region. The temple building is also designated as a national important cultural property by Japan.
The depths of the temple are perfect for viewing the red leaves. Near the stone staircase of “Hanshinbo” enshrined halfway up the back of the mountain, there is a 4-kilometer-long walkway connecting the temple with the temples in the direction of Seizenji and Nijirodo, which is ideal for enjoying the foliage while taking a stroll.
Kenchoji Temple (けんちょうじ)
Address：8 Yamanonouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Opening hours：8:30-16:30
Admission: Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students and children 200 yen
🤗 03 Nagatani Temple
Nagatani Temple (Hase-dera), officially known as Haikouzan Tsusho Ontani Temple, dates back to 736 A.D. The temple is dedicated to the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, also known as “Kannon. The temple enshrines the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, also known as “Nagaya Kannon,” a statue of Kannon that is said to have been carved out of nanmu wood in the Nara period. The grass and trees in the temple grounds are flourishing, and the scenery varies from season to season, making it a perfect place to enjoy the scenery.
It is also called “Kamakura's Pure Land of Western Bliss”. In autumn, maple trees and ginkgo trees bring out the colors of the temple, and from late November to mid-December, the temple hosts a special illumination event, in which the leaves around the Myochi Pond and the Fureai Pond are illuminated at night and reflected in the water, making it a popular place to enjoy the maples at night.
Nagatani Temple
Address：3-11-2, Hasegaya, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Opening hours: 8:00 - 16:30
Admission: Adults 400 yen, elementary and junior high school students and children 200 yen
🤗 04 Jokenji Temple
Jyoenji Temple was built in 1218, when the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, Hojo Yoshitsune, was in power. It is said that one day after visiting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kitajo Yoshitsune had a dream in which the “Hundred Days' God,” one of the twelve gods of the Yakushi Shoguns, appeared and said, “There is no harm in this year, but next year, I will not be accompanying you when the Shogun visits the temple. After waking up from the dream, Hojo Yoshitsune decided to build a temple in Okura, which was guarded by the twelve gods and goddesses of the Yakushi Shrine, and the temple, Jyoenji Temple, came into being.
Every autumn, the scenery of Jyoenji Temple is rendered very colorful with different colored leaves. The old buildings and the trees that cover the sky make you feel like you have traveled to Japan during the Kamakura Shogunate era. Jokenji Temple is free to enter in the section between the mountain gate and Aizen-do, but if you want to enter the deeper parts of the temple: near the main hall, Yakushi-do, and Jizo-do, you will need to pay a fee. Be aware that some areas are off limits for photographs, so just etch the beauty in your mind!
Jokenji Temple (覚園寺)
Address：421 Niseido, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa-ken
Opening hours：10:00-16:00
Admission: Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students and children 200 yen
🤗 05 Tsubame Kakuji Temple
Although the name is similar to Jokenji above, Madakeji is actually a temple from the late Kamakura period. 1282, when the then 18-year-old Tokimune Hojo invited Zen master Zuemoto Mokugaku from China's Song dynasty to study Zen Buddhism under his tutelage. This temple was built by him to promote Zen Buddhism and to protect the country. This temple is also famous for Zen practice.
Tsurugakuji Temple is also a beautiful place. There are cherry blossoms in spring, purple sunflowers in summer, and red maples and yellow ginkgo leaves in fall. There is a tea house where you can enjoy tea and dumplings while looking at the scenery. The Myouka Pond on the temple grounds is also a great place to see the fall colors reflected in the water.
Tsubame Kakuji Temple (円覚寺)
Address: 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 8:00～16:00
Admission: Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students and children 200 yen
🤗 06 Meigetsuin
Meigetsuin is said to have been established in 1159, when it was still called Mingyuean. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Myogetsuin is the purple sunflowers in early summer. It is one of the most famous places in Japan for viewing the purple flowers, and has an alias “Ziyohana-ji” (temple of the purple flowers). However, Meigetsuin is also famous for its autumn foliage and winter plums. In the fall, the back garden of the main hall, which is normally closed to visitors, is open for special tours, and this is the only time when you can enjoy the unique autumn beauty of Meigetsuin.
Meigetsuin (めいげついん)
Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00～16:00
Admission: Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students and children 300 yen
🤗 07 Kamakura Shrine
Kamakura Shrine (かまくらぐう) was built in 1869 as a shrine by order of Emperor Meiji. It may not have a long history in comparison, but it has long been on the list as a popular spot for leaf-peeping. There are more than 100 maple trees, and in late fall, they are spectacularly colored in fiery red. One of these trees, called the “Red Leaf Patio,” is said to be 150 years old. Many people come here to commemorate the tree with the “Red Tenchi” seal of approval.
Kamakura Miya is a must-see spot if you want to walk through the leafy spots in Kamakura, such as the Shishimai no Tani (Valley of the Lion Dance) from Seizenji Temple and Kakuhonji Temple. Why not slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature here?
Kamakura Shrine
Address：154, Futatsudo, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Kamakura is a one hour train ride from the center of Tokyo. The best time of the year for leaf-peeping is from mid to late November. Why don't you come to Kamakura and take in all of these beauties?
- Author:japan guides
- URL:https://japan-guides.com/article/culture-102
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