Jochiji Temple

This is the fourth of the Kamakura Gozan (five Zen temples of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in Kamakura, and “Gozan” refers to their status).
It is a temple of the Engakuji school of the Rinzai sect, built for the memorial service of Munemasa, the son of Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate.
On the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the death of Hojo Sadatoki, the ninth regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, in 1323, more than 200 monks participated in the ceremony, which was the next in scale after Kenchoji Temple, Engakuji Temple, and Jufukuji Temple.
The Amitabha Tathagata, Shakyamuni Tathagata, and Maitreya Tathagata in the Buddhist hall are designated as prefectural important cultural properties, and the temple precincts are designated as a national historic site.
The precincts are home to the largest Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) and fragrant snowbell (Styrax obassia) in Kamakura.
It is also known for the tomb of novelist Tatsuhiko Shibusawa.