Kenchō-ji Temple, Yokohama

The Kenchō-ji Temple is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura dedicated to Jizo Bosatsu, the guardian deity of children and travelers. The Temple was founded in 1253 by the regent Hojo Tokiyori and Zen priest Rankei Doryu, and it's known as one of Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. It is also the oldest Zen training monastery in the country.

The Kenchō-ji Temple originally had a shichido garan, which means a large temple, and 49 sub-temples aligned north to south. Due to a series of fires that caused massive destruction, the temple grounds are now home to 10 sub-temples.

There are many important structures in the temple complex. Among them are the outer gate, or Somon, which was moved to the grounds from the Hanju Zanmai-in temple in Kyoto; the main gate, or Sanmon, was built in 1754, and the grand gate, or Karamon, was brought to the temple complex from Zojo-ji along with the Buddha Hall.

The Buddha Hall, or Butsuden, was named an Important Cultural Property. The Dharma Hall, or Hatto, was built in 1814 for use in public ceremonies. It remains the largest wooden Buddhist structure in Eastern Japan.

The other significant structures on the Temple's grounds are the head priest's living quarters and the Temple Bell. The Temple Bell, or Bonsho, was cast in 1255. It was named a National Treasure of Japan.