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Church & Religious Site

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine

📍 2-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017, Japan
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Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Kamakura
Category
Church & Religious Site
Duration
30-45 min
Address
2-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017, Japan
Coordinates
35.3235, 139.5500

Introduction

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine hides in a valley west of central Kamakura, reached through a short tunnel cut into the rock. Its founding legend tells of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who dreamed that a spring in this north-western hollow should be offered to the gods for peace in the realm. The documented money-washing custom starts later, in 1257, when regent Hojo Tokiyori washed coins here for his family's prosperity; the spring is still counted among Kamakura's five famous waters. Visitors buy a basket, incense and candle set at the shrine office, pray at the main hall, then enter the cave to ladle spring water over their own coins and banknotes and let them dry before taking them home as good-luck money. The cave is dim, damp and slippery, with images of Benzaiten and Ugafuku enshrined around it. From here, Genjiyama Park and Sasuke Inari lead on toward the Great Buddha at Hase.

✨ Highlights

1
Money-washing Cave
Ladle spring water over coins and notes inside a rock-cut cavern.
2
One of Kamakura's Five Waters
The spring has long been ranked among the city's five famous waters.
3
Yoritomo's Dream
A dream of the god Ugafuku led to the founding of the shrine.
4
Hojo Tokiyori, 1257
The first documented coin washing, by the fifth regent.
5
Tunnel Entrance
A rock-cut tunnel sets this shrine apart from those on the street.
6
Sasuke Valley Walk
Continue to Genjiyama Park, Sasuke Inari and the Great Buddha.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time Needed：30-45 min, plus about 50 min for the round-trip walk from the station.
→Cost：Free grounds; the basket, incense and candle set is JPY 100.
→Order：Pray at the main hall, buy the set, then wash money in the cave.
→Combine：Genjiyama Park 5 min, Sasuke Inari 10 min, Great Buddha 20 min.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday08:00-16:30
Tuesday08:00-16:30
Wednesday08:00-16:30
Thursday08:00-16:30
Friday08:00-16:30
Saturday08:00-16:30
Sunday08:00-16:30

Open every day; last entry to the money-washing cave is 16:00, grounds free to visit

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free AdmissionFree entry to the grounds

A basket, incense and candle set at the shrine office costs JPY 100

Transportation

Subway

20-25 min uphill walk from JR Kamakura west exit

Bus

Keikyu bus to Genjiyama-iriguchi, 10 min on foot

Driving/Parking

No car park; paid lots nearby

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine?

Monday: 08:00-16:30; Tuesday: 08:00-16:30; Wednesday: 08:00-16:30; Thursday: 08:00-16:30; Friday: 08:00-16:30; Saturday: 08:00-16:30; Sunday: 08:00-16:30; Open every day; last entry to the money-washing cave is 16:00, grounds free to visit

How much is the admission for Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine?

Free Admission: Free entry to the grounds; A basket, incense and candle set at the shrine office costs JPY 100

How long should I spend at Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine?

A typical visit takes 30-45 min.

How do I get to Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine?

Subway: 20-25 min uphill walk from JR Kamakura west exit; Bus: Keikyu bus to Genjiyama-iriguchi, 10 min on foot; Driving/Parking: No car park; paid lots nearby