If you wish to collect stamps in Kamakura, visit the Seven Lucky Gods to bring good luck! A recommended itinerary that you can use right away

Recommended themes for collecting temple stamps in Kamakura

There are many different goshuin stamps available all over the country, but if you are going to collect them in Kamakura, we recommend combining it with a "Seven Lucky Gods Tour" to visit the shrines and temples that enshrine the Seven Lucky Gods and pray for good fortune. It can be completed in about four hours by train, so it's a perfect itinerary for a half-day trip.

A sample itinerary for visiting the Seven Lucky Gods of Kamakura

Start at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which can be said to be the cultural starting point of Kamakura, the capital of samurai. After purchasing a goshuincho (stamp book) unique to Kamakura, you can visit various places.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Benzaiten) → Hokaiji Temple (Bishamonten) → Myoryu-ji Temple (Jurojin) → Honkaku-ji Temple (Ebisu) → Hasedera Temple (Daikokuten) → Goryo Shrine (Fukurokuju) → Jochi-ji Temple (Hotei)

*The "Kamakura-Enoshima Seven Lucky Gods" includes Enoshima Shrine (Enoshima Benzaiten) on Enoshima.

[1] Benzaiten: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which appears in history textbooks, was founded in Yuigahama in 1063 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the second head carpenter of the Kawachi Genji clan. Later, Minamoto no Yoritomo moved it to its current location.

As well as being the guardian deity of the Kamakura Shogunate, this shrine also supported the development of Kamakura as a key part of religious policy, hosting various official shogunate events.

From Kamakura Station, head out onto Wakamiya-oji, the approach to the shrine, and it's about a 10-minute walk. During cherry blossom season, an elegant arch welcomes visitors. If this is your first time collecting goshuin stamps, or if you want to buy a new one, we recommend purchasing an original goshuin stamp book at the museum shop attached to the Kamakura Bunkakan Tsuruoka Museum on the temple grounds.

This is because the artistic design that can only be found at a museum is attractive. The most popular design is based on the famous large ginkgo leaf of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The wooden relief type will be discontinued as soon as stock runs out, but there are several original goshuincho (stamp books) available, so please stop by.

In addition, the "Kamakura/Enoshima Seven Lucky Gods Tour" also has special goshuin stamp books (1,000 yen), stamp-collecting colored paper (500 yen), and decorative colored paper with wrapping paper (1,000 yen), which can be purchased at temples and shrines where each of the Seven Lucky Gods is enshrined.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine enshrines the three deities Emperor Ojin, Himegami, and Empress Jingu, and in Genji Pond on the east side of the entrance to the shrine grounds Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the deity of wealth and fortune, is enshrined. This pond was built by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1182, and Hataage Benzaiten Shrine was built within it.

Both Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Hataage Benzaiten Shrine have goshuin stamps, but since the theme is a pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods, we also recommend visiting Hataage Benzaiten Shrine. Goshuin stamps at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine can be received at the goshuin stamp office on the east side of the Oishidanshita, and at Hataage Benzaiten Shrine, they can be received at the shrine office on the island in Genji Pond, but for the time being, both are currently providing pre-written goshuin stamps.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Kamakura Bunkakan Tsuruoka Museum

[2] Bishamonten: Hokaiji Temple

It takes about three minutes on foot east from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to reach Hokaiji Temple. It is said that Emperor Godaigo ordered Ashikaga Takauji to build the temple on the former residence of regent Hojo Takatoki in 1335 (the second year of the Kenmu era) to commemorate the souls of the Hojo clan who were wiped out during Nitta Yoshisada's attack on Kamakura.

The principal image is the Bodhisattva Jizo of Prolonged Life, who reads the Sutra of Raising Children, and is said to be the first of the 24 Jizo statues in Kamakura. Bishamonten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the god of victory and wealth, is also enshrined here.

The temple grounds also include the Seitendo Hall, which enshrines the hidden Buddha statue Daisho Kangisoujintenno, said to be the oldest wooden Seiten in Japan, the Taishido Hall, which enshrines Prince Shotoku, and the Tokusu Daigongendo Hall, which enshrines Hojo Takatoki.The temple is also known as a famous flower spot, and is affectionately known as the "Hagi Temple" due to the famous white bush clovers that bloom along the approach to the temple in early autumn.

You can get a goshuin at the temple office in the main hall. In the case of Bishamonten, in addition to the goshuin of "Lucky victory and good fortune," it is characterized by a treasure seal of "Bei" which represents Bishamonten in Sanskrit (a sacred character that represents a god or Buddha in one character). There are as many goshuin as there are gods and Buddhas enshrined, so first pray and then, if you are going to visit the Seven Lucky Gods, tell them you would like to see Bishamonten. On some days, you can also copy sutras, which can be done at the entrance of the temple if you wish.

Hokaiji Temple

[3] Jurojin: Myoryu-ji Temple

Myoryu-ji Temple is about four minutes south along Komachi-oji Road in front of Hokai-ji Temple. It was founded in 1385 by the priest Nichiei of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism's Nakayama Monryu school, and is said to have been founded by Chiba Tanesada, a vassal of the Kamakura Shogunate, who built the temple to pray for the repose of his ancestors.

Nakayamamonryu is one of the Nichiren sects. Kamakura is a place associated with Nichiren Shonin and has left many traces of him. About 150m south of Myoryu-ji Temple is one of the places where he preached: the "Nichiren Shonin Street Preaching Site."

The principal image of Myoryu-ji Temple is Shakyamuni Buddha, and to the right of the main hall is the sacred site of Nisshin Shonin's practice of asceticism in the pond, where the monk is said to have performed ascetic practices in water for 100 days during the coldest period of the year.

Additionally, a wooden statue of Jurojin, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, is enshrined in a small hall in front of the main hall, and a few meters away there is a stone statue of Jurojin.

Jurojin is said to have lived to be 1,000 to 1,500 years old, and is the god of health and longevity, known for being accompanied by a deer, which symbolizes longevity. Deer are also carved into the wooden and stone statues at the temple.

There is a temple office to the left of the main hall, so you can receive your goshuin here. In addition to the Jurojin seal, there is also a seal of the principal image, but the Jurojin seal has a treasure seal of "Fukuju Enmei" (long life and happiness) and the address, "Komachi," written on it. Please note that there is a break between 12 and 1pm.

Myoryu-ji Temple

[4] Ebisu-ten (Ebisu deity): Honkakuji Temple

From Myoryu-ji Temple, if you go past the "Site of Nichiren Shonin's Street Sermon" on the side of Komachi-oji Street and continue along the road, you will arrive at Honkaku-ji Temple in about 5 minutes. This place is in the back demon's gate of the Kamakura Shogunate, and it is said to be the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo built Ebisu-do Hall as a guardian deity.

The main hall's principal image is the Shaka Triad, with Shaka Nyorai as the central image, Fugen Bodhisattva as the right attendant, and Monju Bodhisattva as the left attendant, of which Monju Bodhisattva is famous as the third of the Kamakura Thirteen Buddhas. The bone division hall on the right side of the main hall houses the remains of Nichiren Shonin, which were separated from his grave on Mount Minobu.

The Ebisu Hall is located on a small hill to the immediate right after entering the main entrance gate, where two Nio statues are enshrined on either side. Inside is enshrined Ebisu Sonjin, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Ebisu Sonjin is the god of prosperity in business.

You can receive a goshuin at the temple office opposite, and there are three types: Isonjin, the second patriarch of the temple, Nicho Shonin, and Manjusri Bodhisattva. Notable features include the seal "Establishment of the Ido Sacred Site" and the word "Komachi" written like Myoryu-ji Temple, as well as the character "Good fortune". If you do not specify, you will receive the goshuin of Nicho Shonin, so when visiting the Seven Lucky Gods, be sure to ask for Isonjin.

Honkakuji Temple

【5】Daikokuten: Hasedera Temple

Take the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) to Hase Station and head to Hasedera Temple. It is about a 3-minute walk from Honkakuji Temple to Kamakura Station, and from there take the Enoden line to Hase Station, which is three stops away.

After getting off, walk north and turn left at the intersection in front of Hase Kannon and you will be on the approach to Hasedera Temple. It takes about five minutes to get to the temple from the station, but if you continue heading north for about ten minutes from the station, you will reach Kotoku-in Temple, where the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura is enshrined.

Hasedera Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura, and is said to have been founded in 736 during the Nara period. The principal image is the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva, also known as Hase Kannon. At 9.18m tall, it is one of the largest wooden Buddha statues in Japan, and is the fourth temple of the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, attracting many worshippers.

The grounds of the temple, which spread from the foot of the lush green Kannonyama mountain to its middle, are extremely vast. At the very back is the Kannon Bodhisattva, the main image of the temple, and next to it is the Kannon Museum, which houses a variety of treasures such as hanging Buddhas and temple bells. To the right of the entrance to the temple is the Daikokudo Hall, which enshrines Daikokuten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the god of bountiful harvests and prosperous business.

Other attractions include Kaikoan, a restaurant famous for its Temple Curry (1,250 yen), Teraya Cafe, where you can relax with a wide selection of drinks and desserts, and Nagomi Shop, which has a wide variety of goods including those related to the temple's popular Nagomi Jizo statue.

In addition, the temple is decorated with flowers of every season, so much so that it is called "Kamakura's Western Paradise," and the 2,500 hydrangeas of over 40 varieties that bloom during the rainy season are particularly impressive. The temple's location on high ground also offers wonderful views, and you can enjoy views of Sagami Bay from the observation deck and the observation walkway even higher.

The stamp office is located inside the main hall (Kannon-do). There are many types of stamps, including Kannon Bodhisattva and Daikokuten, and the Daikokuten stamp can have the Sanskrit character "Ma" or "Good luck in life" written on it. However, please note that during busy periods such as April to June and the New Year holidays, when there are many visitors, the stamps will be pre-written.

In addition, at the Shoin, the venue for copying sutras, you can freely copy sutras from 9am to 1pm every day, and you can borrow brushes and other tools.

Hasedera Temple

[6] Fukurokuju: Goryo Shrine

Goryo Shrine, affectionately known as Gongoro-sama, is about a six-minute walk from Hasedera Temple or a four-minute walk from Hase Station along the footpath next to the train tracks.

It is believed to have been built in the late Heian period. It was originally called "Goreisha" (the Five Spirits Shrine) because it enshrined the ancestors of the five families that ruled the Kamakura area: Kamakura, Kajiwara, Muraoka, Nagao, and Oba. Eventually, the word "Gorei" was changed to "Goryo."

Later, the shrine was dedicated to only one deity, Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa, a samurai who played an active role in the Gosannen War, and the shrine came to be called Gongoro Shrine after that.

One of the unique features of this shrine is that the Enoshima Electric Railway runs right in front of the torii gate. There are also many things to see within the temple grounds, such as the sacred tree "Machilus tabunoki" (a 350-year-old tree) that is a natural monument of the city, and the area along the nearby railway tracks that is famous for its hydrangeas. Photography within the temple grounds is prohibited for the general public, so if you wish to take photos, please do so from outside.

Of the Seven Lucky Gods, Fukurokuju is known for granting prosperity to descendants, good fortune, and long life, and is enshrined in the "Goryo Shrine Treasure House (Menkake Fukurokuju)" within the grounds. There are also many other subordinate shrines, such as Inari Shrine and Akiba Shrine. Goshuin (stamps) can be received at the shrine office just beyond the torii gate.

There are several types of Fukurokuju stamps, including those with stamps of Kamakura Kagemasa and the Enoshima Electric Railway, but when receiving a Fukurokuju goshuin, you should first visit the treasure house.

Goryo Shrine

[7] Hotei: Jochiji Temple

From Hasedera Temple, return to Kamakura Station via Hase Station, then take the JR line to the neighboring Kita-Kamakura Station. After leaving the west exit, walk for about 8 minutes to arrive at Jochiji Temple.

The temple was founded in 1281 to commemorate the death of Hojo Munemasa, the third son of Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. The main hall, called Dongeden, enshrines the three Buddhas Amida, Shaka, and Maitreya, which represent the past, present, and future.

The grounds are spacious, and the first thing you'll see is the mountain gate. Going past the reception desk and up the stairs, you'll come to the Shoromon Gate with its bell tower, and continuing on will take you to Dongaden Hall. If you follow the signs from there, you'll come to a charming thatched-roof shoin, a small shrine carved into a rock wall called a "yagura," and then through a tunnel to a small cave where a statue of Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, is enshrined.

Hotei is the god of laughter, good fortune, marital harmony, and fertility. It is said that stroking the abdomen will bring out energy, and this statue's belly is very smooth. The reception desk is attached to the Shoin temple where you can receive a goshuin stamp. There are two types of statues, the principal image and Hotei, and both are stamped with the diamond-shaped triple-treasure seal of "Buppo Soho" and the seal of "Pure Wisdom."

Jochiji Temple

First of all, what is a goshuin?

Goshuin originally originated as a proof that one had offered a sutra or copied a scripture to a temple. Nowadays, it is more common to use it as a proof seal when visiting a shrine or temple. At most shrines and temples, you can receive a goshuin without having to recite or copy a sutra.

It generally consists of a red seal and handwritten ink inscription, and includes the name of the shrine or deity, the date of the visit, etc. The place where you can receive the stamp varies depending on the temple or shrine; some have the stamp written at the reception desk, temple office, or shrine office within the grounds, while others have a goshuin stamp office. Some temples have a goshuin stamp office inside the main hall.

In addition, to receive the goshuin, you will need a goshuin notebook to write the goshuin, but during times when there are many visitors, some temples and shrines will provide pre-written goshuin paper rather than handwritten ones.

Most temples and shrines provide goshuincho (stamp notebooks), and some have shops attached to them that sell highly designed or original goshuincho (stamp notebooks).

What is the etiquette when receiving a goshuin?

The minimum etiquette when receiving a goshuin is to pray before receiving it, to have your goshuin book open to the correct page, etc. Also, there are many temples and shrines that have multiple goshuin, so it's a good idea to do some research beforehand.

Most temples and shrines charge a fee of several hundred yen, so it's a good idea to have some coins ready. Some temples and shrines also charge an admission fee of several hundred yen, so it's best to have the exact change to make things easier.

Kamakura is also attractive for its beautiful seasonal scenery

When you visit the Seven Lucky Gods we introduced, be sure to take note of the beautiful scenery that is unique to Kamakura. Each temple and shrine has its own highlights and photo spots, and there are many lush green spots, so you'll enjoy it more than you can imagine when you actually go. This is a recommended model course for those who want to take their time sightseeing in Kamakura.

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Originally posted: April 19, 2023
*Some content was updated on June 5, 2024.