basic information

Zeniarai Benten Shrine is a popular shrine in western Kamakura, where people flock in order to wash their money (zeniarai means "coin washing"). It is said 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 recommended him to build the shrine in order 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 nice surviving example of the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto. Many other shrines were stripped of their Buddhist connections when the Meiji government attempted to emancipate and separate Shinto from Buddhism.

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how to get there

Zeniarai Benten Shrine is located about 15-25 walking minutes west of Kamakura Station. There is no bus station or other famous attraction nearby. However, the shrine is just a few steps from the hiking trail which connects Kitakamakura (North Kamakura) with the Great Buddha.

How to get to and around Kamakura

travel community

Users who have been to Kamakura: 357
Users who have been to Zeniarai Benten: 56

10th of 14 most visited sights in Kamakura.
137th of 417 most visited sights nationwide.

tours and packages

Kamakura Walking Tour Guided day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura.