Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed
円覚寺の紅葉 — Kamakura, Kanagawa (Kanto)
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- Typical peak
- Nov 25 – Thu, December 10, 2026
- Venue
- Engakuji Temple, Kita-Kamakura (円覚寺)
- Official site
- www.engakuji.or.jp
Engakuji is the second of Kamakura's five great Zen temples and by far the easiest to reach — the entrance steps begin about a minute from the platform at Kita-Kamakura Station. Maples ring the Myokochi pond and the Butsunichian sub-temple, and the colour arrives late, usually the last days of November into the second week of December, which makes Kamakura one of the last places in the Kanto region to turn. Admission is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for children.
Background
Engakuji was founded in 1282 by the regent Hojo Tokimune, with the Chinese monk Mugaku Sogen as its first abbot, to console the dead of both sides of the Mongol invasions. Its Shariden reliquary hall is a National Treasure and the finest surviving example of Zen-style architecture in Japan, and the great bell cast in 1301 is another. The novelist Natsume Soseki practised zazen here, an episode he used in his novel Mon.
Getting there
Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line sits directly below the temple — cross to the far side of the tracks and the gate is about a minute away. Kamakura Station is one stop further south. There is no temple parking, and the road outside is narrow and busy in season.
Tips
- Closing moves to 16:00 from December, and the last of the colour falls in exactly that window — plan an early afternoon arrival.
- The reflection in Myokochi pond, halfway up the grounds, is the composition worth waiting for.
- The 140-odd steps to the bell tower lead to a small teahouse with a view over the valley that most visitors skip.
- Tokeiji and Meigetsuin are within walking distance of the same station, which makes a natural Kita-Kamakura maple circuit on foot.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to see Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves?
- Autumn color at Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves typically peaks from Nov 25 – Dec 10. Exact timing shifts year to year with the weather, so check a real-time foliage forecast close to your trip.
- Where is Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves, and how do you get there?
- Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves is located at Engakuji Temple, Kita-Kamakura in Kamakura, Kanagawa. Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line sits directly below the temple — cross to the far side of the tracks and the gate is about a minute away. Kamakura Station is one stop further south. There is no temple parking, and the road outside is narrow and busy in season.
- Is Engakuji Temple Autumn Leaves free to enter, or do I need tickets?
- Most autumn leaves spots in Japan are free to enter, though some temples and gardens charge a small admission fee — especially during peak-season night illuminations. Check the official site for this location's exact pricing.
Last verified against the official source: Sat, August 22, 2026
Plan your trip
- 🏨 Hotels near Engakuji Temple, Kita-Kamakura — search is pre-filled with the festival dates
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