Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Visitors hiking along the Daibutsu Great Buddha of Kamakura hiking trail so at Jochiji
Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Jochiji ranks 4th of the five great Zen Buddhist temples of Kamakura - a branch of Engakuji located a few hundred meters away. Jochi-ji was founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family, to honor the premature death of their son. This was once a large temple complex with many sub-temples but now it is calm. Behind the temple a circular path leads through the temple garden past caves and a graveyard. At the temple's entrance at the bottom of the hill is one of the ten celebrated wells of Kamakura. Jochiji is unique in that it has a two storey main gate with a bell on the second floor, an unusual combination at Japanese temples. In addition the shape of the windows are in the shape of bells. The bell itself was cast in 1340. At its peak, the Temple had 11 different structures including the main hall as well as numerous sub-temples, with 500 residents in the temple precinct. Many people are familiar with Jochiji as it is alongside the Daibutsu Hiking Trail. Many visitors hiking or making pilgrimage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura along this trail pass by Jochiji and many stop for a visit en route.
Size: 5472px × 3648px
Location: Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Photo credit: © John Lander / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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