Kenchoji Temple Treasure Airing (Homotsu Kazeire)
- Dates
- Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Mon, Nov 2, 2026
- Usually
- For about three days around Culture Day (November 3).
- Venue
- Kenchoji Temple
What Is the Treasure Airing at Kenchoji?
The Homotsu Kazeire (Treasure Airing) at Kenchoji Temple (建長寺) is a special exhibition held once a year in Kita-Kamakura (北鎌倉), when the temple airs out its treasures and opens them to the public. It takes place for about three days around Culture Day (November 3) every year, and you can see temple treasures, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, up close.
Dates and Admission
In 2026, it runs for three days from October 31 (Sat) to November 2 (Mon), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry).
Admission is 300 yen for high school students and older and 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students. You also need to pay the regular temple admission (adults 500 yen, students 200 yen), which is cash only. According to visitors, you pay the temple admission at the reception just inside the main gate, and the exhibition fee at the reception of the venue.
Highlights: Temple Treasures Up Close in Tatami Halls
The venues are Oshinkaku (応眞閣) on the second floor of the Daikuri (大庫裡), the temple’s kitchen and living quarters, and the second floor of Tokugetsuro (得月楼), which are connected by a corridor. Both are tatami-floored halls, with hanging scrolls lining the walls edge to edge. Most of the main pieces, including National Treasures, are shown without glass cases, so you can see them closer than you normally ever could. Small items such as tea kettles and incense burners are kept in glass cases. A list of exhibits is handed out at the reception, and you can match it with the numbers on each piece as you go.
The planned main exhibits include the National Treasure portrait of Rankei Doryu (蘭渓道隆), also known as Daikaku Zenji (大覚禅師), the temple’s founding priest; the National Treasure calligraphy by Daikaku Zenji, Hogo Kisoku (法語規則); and the seated statue of Hojo Tokiyori (北条時頼), who founded the temple, an Important Cultural Property. The statue of Hojo Tokiyori sits in a tokonoma, a raised display alcove, and its crystal-inlaid eyes seem to glint. The portrait of Rankei Doryu leaves a strong impression with its piercing gaze. Some pieces may not be shown because of restoration work.
2026 Special Exhibit and Tea
In 2026, a special exhibit, Treasures of Konsenji Temple (金仙寺), a Noted Temple in Chichibu (秩父), is also held to mark the 750th memorial of the founder Daikaku Zenji. A special Dharma talk is held on October 31, and on November 1 and 2 there is a tea gathering by the Obaku Baisaryu (黄檗売茶流) school of sencha tea: matcha costs 500 yen, and sencha is served to visitors on a first-come basis.
About Kenchoji Temple
Kenchoji was founded in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate, who invited the Chinese Zen monk Rankei Doryu as its founding priest. It was Japan’s first full-scale Zen training monastery. It ranks first among the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura, and its main gate, Sanmon gate, Buddha Hall and Dharma Hall still stand in a straight line.
Access: Visiting During Your Stay at Toshi’s Place
Kenchoji is about a 15-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station (北鎌倉駅) on the Yokosuka Line. From Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅), it is about a 30-minute walk, or about 10 minutes by Enoden Bus to the Kenchoji stop.
Engakuji Temple (円覚寺), right in front of Kita-Kamakura Station, holds its own Treasure Airing at the same time, so you can visit both temples together. If you stay in Kamakura, you can head to Kita-Kamakura in the morning and take your time with the treasures. At Toshi’s Place, fully unmanned smart hotels with full kitchens and no meals, you can explore Kamakura at your own pace.
Summary
The Treasure Airing at Kenchoji is a once-a-year chance in autumn Kita-Kamakura to see treasures such as the National Treasure portrait of Rankei Doryu and the seated statue of Hojo Tokiyori up close in tatami halls. For Kenchoji’s year-round highlights, see Kenchoji Temple. Also see the Treasure Airing and Shariden special opening at Engakuji, held at the same time.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kenchoji Temple Treasure Airing (Homotsu Kazeire) |
| Dates | About three days around Culture Day (November 3) every year (October 31 – November 2 in 2026) |
| Hours | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entry) |
| Admission | 300 yen (high school and older), 100 yen (elementary and junior high), plus temple admission (adults 500 yen, students 200 yen) |
| Venues | Oshinkaku (2F of the Daikuri) and Tokugetsuro (2F) |
| Address | 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa |
| Access | About 15 minutes’ walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station (Yokosuka Line) |
| Contact | Kenchoji Temple +81-467-22-0981 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) |
| Official website | Kenchoji Temple news (Japanese) |