Choju-ji Temple: A Zen Retreat in Kamakura

Choju-ji (長寿寺), formally known as Hōkizan Chōju Zenji, is a Rinzai Buddhist temple of the Kenchō-ji school located in Yamanouchi, near Kamakura. Often referred to as Kita-Kamakura due to its proximity to the Kita-Kamakura Station, the temple is nestled between the entrance of the Kamegayatsu Pass and Kenchō-ji, Japan's oldest Zen monastery. Founded in 1358 by Ashikaga Motouji, son of Takauji, on the grounds of a former family mansion, Choju-ji is one of the two bodaiji (funeral temples) dedicated to Ashikaga Takauji, founder of the dynasty of shōguns. The temple's name, “Choju-ji-den,” is derived from Takauji's posthumous Buddhist title. The temple was developed under the patronage of the Ashikaga family and holds historical and religious significance as a sub-temple of Kencho-ji Temple. Choju-ji offers visitors a blend of heritage, spiritual depth and serenity. The temple features a dry landscape garden, redesigned in 2007 by Kyoto-based landscape master Sone Zouen, that creates a tranquil seasonal scenery. A five-ringed stone pagoda enshrines a lock of Ashikaga Takauji's hair, resting in a yagura, an ancient cave tomb typical of the Kamakura region. The Kannon Hall houses a statue of Sho Kannon Bosatsu, with a ceiling adorned with paintings of celestial maidens. Choju-ji is open to the public only during limited seasons, typically from Friday to Sunday between April and June, and again in October and November, including national holidays. This exclusivity enhances the temple's serene atmosphere, offering a chance to reconnect with oneself in a setting shaped by centuries of Zen tradition.