Kamakura Tourism: Gokurakuji Temple

This temple is the only Shingon Ritsu sect temple in Kamakura. It was established by Shigetoki, the third son of Hojo Yoshitoki. Shigetoki served as a co-regent assisting the shogunate, but without being attached to politics, he decided to become a monk and envisioned creating a Pure Land paradise at his residence. He began constructing the temple in the first year of Shogen (1259). However, Shigetoki passed away in the first year of Kōchō (1261) while the construction was still underway. His sons, Nagatoki and Gyotoki, continued his will and completed the temple. Ninsho was invited to become the founding priest. At its peak, the temple had seven main buildings and 49 sub-temples. Ninsho carried out major charitable activities within the vast precincts. Buildings such as the Serakuin, Hidenin, and Ryobyosha were lined up, accommodating numerous patients day and night, and providing free medical treatment and medicine to the poor. Ninsho's energetic activities also extended to civil engineering projects, constructing 189 bridges and 71 roads in various places.