Autumn in Kamakura: 8 Best Temples for Autumn Leaves

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

Kamakura is a place where you can slow down your travel pace and enjoy the journey at a more leisurely rhythm. The streets exude a relaxed and carefree vibe, and there are many shrines dedicated to samurai clans, filled with historical charm. Come late November, autumn paints the gardens and mountain landscapes with patches of red, creating breathtaking scenery.

● Engaku-ji Temple

The name Engaku-ji comes from the Mahayana Buddhist scripture "Yuanjue Jing" (Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment). The entire temple is surrounded by cedar forests and is designated as a national historic site. The Mountain Gate, Main Hall, and Abbot’s Quarters are arranged in a straight line. The second floor of the grand Mountain Gate enshrines the Goddess of Mercy and arhats. Its clean lines and elegant design have often been featured in the works of famous writers such as Natsume Soseki and Yasunari Kawabata. The expansive grounds feature many scenic spots for viewing autumn leaves.

● Tokei-ji Temple
Tokei-ji is one of the more unique temples in northern Kamakura. Established in 1285 by Lady Kakusan-ni, the nun wife of Hojo Tokimune, it primarily enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha and is renowned as a nunnery exclusively for women. Women who practiced here for three years or more could divorce their husbands, and this had legal validity at the time—thus earning it the nickname "Enkiridera" or Divorce Temple. It is also considered an auspicious spot that attracts happiness, making it a popular fortune-bringing destination in recent years. In front of the Main Hall, you’ll find towering maple trees and gleaming golden ginkgo trees that are well worth seeing.
● Jakusho-ji Temple

Jakusho-ji still preserves many Buddhist statues dating back to the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. The temple is filled with traces of history, offering visitors a feeling of traveling back in time. With a wide variety of autumn leaves, it is a renowned spot for foliage viewing.

● Jochi-ji Temple
Located in northern Kamakura, Jochi-ji is ranked fourth among the Kamakura Five Mountains. Affiliated with the Engaku-ji sect of the Rinzai school, its full name is Kinpozan Jochi-ji. The maple and maple-like trees near the temple’s Mountain Gate and stone steps are especially stunning, adding a serene and leisurely atmosphere to your stroll.
● Hase-dera Temple
Hase-dera Temple houses Japan’s largest wooden statue of the Goddess of Mercy. Its garden, blooming with iris flowers, is exceptionally elegant. Next to the Kannon Hall is a scripture depository containing a revolving sutra pillar—turning it once is said to be equivalent to chanting a sutra. The Mountain View Platform on the hill offers a complete view of Kamakura’s cityscape and the ocean, while the tea house Chion-tei even provides a view of the Miura Peninsula. The autumn leaves here are layered with distinct elevations, giving them a unique three-dimensional feel.

● Zuisen-ji Temple

Zuisen-ji is also known as the Flower Temple, as it offers different blooms to admire all year round. Especially around the temple is a place called “Momiji Valley” (Red Leaf Valley), which turns into a breathtaking canvas of colorful foliage in autumn.