Kamakura · Hase and Gokurakuji
Gokurakuji
How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24
Photo: Σ64・CC BY-SA 3.0
Kamakura's only temple of the Shingon Ritsu school, linked to the monk Ninsho who cared for the sick, with a cherry tree that bears single and double blossoms together.
- Nearest station
- 2 min walk from Gokurakuji Station
- Hours
- 9:00–16:30; closed December 25–31
- Admission
- Donation (no set fee); treasure house ¥300
What to see
- Treasure house with a Heian-period Fudo statue and the Ten Great Disciples carved in 1268 (open on limited days).
- The temple well, eight courses of Kamakura stone, where Ninsho is said to have served gruel to the poor.
- A cherry tree grown from one said to be planted by Hojo Tokimune, with single and double blossoms on the same tree.
Seasons
- Hydrangea, rose mallow and crape myrtle in summer; spider lilies and sasanqua in autumn; plum in winter (tourism association).
History
Revived by Hojo Shigetoki in 1259, with the monk Ninsho as its founding abbot. Ninsho devoted himself to caring for the sick and building roads and bridges.
Getting there
A two-minute walk from Gokurakuji Station on the Enoden line (tourism association).
Address：3-6-7 Gokurakuji, Kamakura, Kanagawa
Before you go
The inside of the main hall and the inner sanctuary open to the public only on April 7 and 8. The treasure house opens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 25 to May 25 and October 25 to November 25, except in rain.
Map of sights in Kamakura
Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.
Nearby sights
← Kamakura guide: trains from Tokyo
Sources
Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
- 極楽寺 公式サイト（checked 2026-10-24）
- 極楽寺 公式サイト（由緒）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 極楽寺 公式サイト（境内）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 極楽寺 公式サイト（宝物館）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 極楽寺 公式サイト（拝観）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 鎌倉市観光協会（極楽寺・日本遺産）（checked 2026-10-24）
Map data：© OpenStreetMap contributors