Kencho-ji 建長寺

Zen tranquility garden

Of all the temples in Kamakura City, this has got to be the most tranquil and a great place to rest, reflect, and breathe. This temple is ranked among the five great Zen temples of Kamakura City and is representative of Rinzai Zen. It's worth reading up on the history of the city and the Zen practice there before you go to fully appreciate the place. The temple is replete with treasures - natural ones in the form of ancient juniper trees and national ones such as the bonsho bell cast in 1255 and various halls and gates. My favorite thing to do here is to simply meditate on the wide tatami mats of the hall overlooking the garden and pond. On one occasion, a heron landed in the pond and I just breathed. You can join meditation and sermons here, as well as try your hand at sutra copying. But you're welcome here to sit and breathe in the atmosphere.