What to know
Zeniarai Benten Shrine (銭洗弁天) is a popular shrine in western Kamakura where visitors wash their money (zeniarai means "coin washing"). It is believed that money washed in the shrine's spring will double.
Minamoto Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura government, ordered the shrine's construction after a god appeared in his dream and advised him to build the shrine to bring peace to the country. Because the dream occurred on the day of the snake, in the month of the snake of the year of the snake, the shrine was later also dedicated to Benten, a Buddhist goddess associated with snakes.
Zeniarai Benten Shrine is a well-preserved example of the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto. Many other shrines lost their Buddhist connections when the Meiji government attempted to separate Shinto from Buddhism.
Zeniarai Benten Shrine is located about a 25-30 minute walk northwest of Kamakura Station. There is no bus stop or other famous attraction nearby. However, the shrine lies along the Daibutsu hiking trail, which connects Kita-Kamakura with the Great Buddha.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.