Gokurakuji was founded by Shigetoki Hojo in 1259. In the Kamakura period, Lady Nijo (an emperor’s concubine, who later became a nun) traveled from Kyoto to Kamakura, where she visited the temple. In her memoir, Towazugatari, she writes, “The behavior of the priests reminded me so much of Kyoto priests that I felt a touch of homesickness.” In addition to the main object of devotion, a standing figure of the Shaka Nyorai, the treasure hall also houses a seated figure of the Shaka Nyorai and other important cultural properties. Every year, the principal images are on display from April 7 to 9. The treasure hall is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between April 25 and May 25, and October 25 and November 25.
(Entry to the treasure hall is 300 yen)

The charitable works of Ninsho

Besides his work as a missionary, Ninsho, the first abbot of the temple, also helped the poor and the ill. You can still see the place where he distributed rice gruel, the large stone bowl where he prepared medicines, and the stone mortar for grinding their ingredients.