Kamakura's Hanzobo Shrine

Walking in the footsteps of the Avatar Gods

Steve Morton Jun 27, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Several wooden prayer tablets, where visitors can write their future wishes</p>

<p>Entering from the back! For anyone doing the hike from Mount Ohirayama this descending staircase will be your first view of Hanzobo Shrine</p>

<p>The first of many Tengu, (long nosed Goblins), something which this shrine is famous for</p>

<p>From the bottom looking up; numerous eyes are looking down at you!</p>

<p>Despite their scary appearance they are believed to protect any visitor with a `good` soul</p>

<p>This Tengu`s nose is longer than most of the other statues, illustrating its seniority</p>

<p>As you look up along this hillside it`s impossible not to notice the dozens of figures looking down at you</p>

<p>As it was approaching late afternoon these figures seemed to take on a scarier appearance</p>

<p>Similar to other places like Yakuo-in Temple on Mount Takao, Tengu are usually found on hillsides, mountains and high laying areas</p>

<p>On the decent down to Kenchoji Temple you will pass this cliff with an inscription carved into the rock face</p>

<p>At the bottom of this long staircase these two scary looking deities guard the main entrance to Hanzobo Shrine</p>

<p>Running for several dozen meters, this long pathway connects Hanzobo Shrine to the back of Kenchoji Temple</p>

<p>Looking back in the opposite direction</p>

<p>The main entrance to Hanzobu Shrine</p>

With daylight gradually fading on a late summer`s afternoon, I happened to stumble upon this small hillside shrine located several hundred meters away from Kamakura`s famous Kencho-ji Temple.

Originally built as an adjacent structure to Kencho-ji Temple, this impressive shrine is well worth a visit in its own right, housing an Avatar God along with dozens of Tengu (long nosed goblins), who are believed to bring good fortune to anyone possessing a good soul.

With countless pairs of eyes gazing down upon you, this peaceful shrine can take on a somewhat eerie atmosphere as the crowds disappear when the sun goes down.

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Find out more about Kenchoji Temple.

Steve Morton @steve.morton138

Yokohama based content creator, editor, and researcher. Steven likes, eating, reading and traveling on a streamlined budget guaranteed to make any self-respecting local gulp. When not too busy with work assignments, Steven attempts to not get lost while following Japanese tourist maps.Follow me o...