Jōmyōji Temple

Jomyo-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in the hills east of Kamakura station, founded in 1188 by Ashikaga Yoshikane. It belongs to the Gozan, the system of five highest-ranking Zen temples of the Kamakura era, and today holds fifth place in that hierarchy. The plain main hall dates from the 18th century after multiple predecessors burned down. Above the temple lies a dry karesansui garden where visitors are served matcha and a wagashi sweet on the terrace of the Kisen-an teahouse overlooking the raked gravel. A nearby path leads to a small cave shrine holding the graves of the Ashikaga clan, ancestors of the later Muromachi shoguns. Unlike the busier Kita-Kamakura temples, Jomyo-ji welcomes visitors in near-meditative quiet.