常楽寺

常楽寺

Joraku-ji is located about fifteen minutes walk from Ofuna Station. It is a temple of the Rinzai school, Kencho-ji branch. It has beautiful trees and plants in its precincts. Most Zen temples have a beautiful gardens.

It was built before Kencho-ji, and Rankei Doryu, who is a founder of Kencho-ji was a Sangha of Joraku-ji first. It is not famous because it is far from Kamakura city, but it is a good temple for visitors. It has a thatching San mon (gate) that looks like Gokuraku-ji’s one.

In front of Butsu-den, there is a big stump of ginkgo. There is a garden on the right side of Butsu-den but closed to the public. You can enjoy well-manicured trees and beautiful views in its precincts.