Engaku-ji – 鎌倉ペンション・Inn By The Sea Kamakura

Summer in Kamakura

Posted on July 1, 2018 by helenkamakura

There's no denying it: Rainy season is over (something like 22 days earlier than average!), which means summer is here and it is hot. And humid. And it's going to last at least two months. Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way in a beach town — who wants cool, drizzly summers when … Continue reading Summer in Kamakura

え is for Engaku-ji

Posted on January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 by helenkamakura

Home of the biggest bell in Kamakura.

Bon Odori Summer Festivals

Posted on July 25, 2016July 25, 2016 by helenkamakura

Japanese summers are pretty spectacular. They buzz (cicadas) and DON DON DON (taiko drums). They whistle and gong and chant (festivals). They're burning hot and impossibly humid. But if you let the music drifting from the festival grounds carry you along, not only will you make it to fall without melting into a puddle … Continue reading Bon Odori Summer Festivals

Garden Upkeep

Posted on December 12, 2015 by helenkamakura

Japanese gardens don't tend themselves. A temple gardener works on the grass of the garden at Engaku-ji.

Sunshine Gate

Posted on December 4, 2015 by helenkamakura

Engaku-ji's main gate with the sun beating down on it. Engaku-ji is number two of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. It's located right beside Kita-Kamakura Station, which makes it the number one temple for convenience.

Engaku-ji’s Gate

Posted on November 18, 2015 by helenkamakura

The day I visited Engaku-ji, there was–not surprisingly–a huge group of school children. They were spread over the entire temple grounds having lunch, running around, and being scolded for various offenses.

Temple Garden

Posted on November 14, 2015November 14, 2015 by helenkamakura

Engaku-ji starts where Kita-Kamakura Station ends. In fact, it used to own the land upon which the station sits, but had to sell it when the railroad went through. The pond beside the station—cut off from the temple grounds by a narrow road—is still part of Engaku-ji, though. This raked-pebble garden is lovely to look … Continue reading Temple Garden

Big Bell

Posted on November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 by helenkamakura

This impressive bell was made in 1301, and sits on a hill at the top of a rather long set of stone steps at Engaku-ji. Engaku-ji is the second of the five great Zen temples in Kamakura. Its entrance is right at Kita-Kamakura Station (apparently, it lost some of its land in order for the … Continue reading Big Bell