
Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Wash your money for good fortune at this ancient Shinto shrine, nestled in a cave with a sacred spring.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful

Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Wash your money for good fortune at this ancient Shinto shrine, nestled in a cave with a sacred spring.
"A unique and rewarding experience, even with the uphill climb!"

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The path uphill can be steep, so good footwear is essential for a comfortable visit.
💰 Bring Yen for Washing
You'll need some yen bills to wash for good luck. Purchase candles and incense for the ritual.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Money Washing Spring
Main cave
Wash your yen in the sacred spring, believed to multiply your wealth. A unique ritual for good luck!

Tunnel Entrance
Main entrance
A distinctive tunnel leads to the shrine, offering a unique and memorable entry experience.

Smaller Shrines
Surrounding the main cave
Explore numerous smaller shrines and torii gates, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for a Hike
Money Washing Ritual
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The path uphill can be steep, so good footwear is essential for a comfortable visit.
💰 Bring Yen for Washing
You'll need some yen bills to wash for good luck. Purchase candles and incense for the ritual.
Best temples in Kamakura
Itinerary advice for Kamakura and Enoshima
🚶♀️ Allow an Hour
The shrine and its surroundings can be explored in about an hour, making it a great addition to a day trip.
🍡 Try Local Snacks
Don't miss out on delicious rice cakes or dango from nearby vendors.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
The path uphill can be steep, so good footwear is essential for a comfortable visit.
💰 Bring Yen for Washing
You'll need some yen bills to wash for good luck. Purchase candles and incense for the ritual.
🚶♀️ Allow an Hour
The shrine and its surroundings can be explored in about an hour, making it a great addition to a day trip.
🍡 Try Local Snacks
Don't miss out on delicious rice cakes or dango from nearby vendors.
📸 Unique Photo Ops
Capture the distinctive tunnel entrance and the serene atmosphere of the shrine.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Zeniarai Benten Shrine for its unique money-washing ritual and serene atmosphere, despite the uphill trek. The shrine is well-maintained and offers a memorable spiritual experience, with many appreciating the free entry and the opportunity to try local snacks. Some note it can get crowded during peak times.
"Amazing Shinto Shrine with smaller shrines surrounding main one. Place for washing money too. There is a tunnel leading to the Shrine. Very well kept. Popular with tourists. Bit of a hike uphill to get here but well worth it."
Daniel Scott
"Historic site where people came to pay homage and also clean their money. It's up a steep road so have good shoes on and bring a few yen bills to wash. Overall delightful and if you have a hour or so a good visit, just a km or two from Kotoku-in."
Jon Testa
"Great experience. You have to walk down quite a long road up a hill to get there. When we went it wasn’t too busy so it was actually quite relaxing, but i’m sure it probably gets busy on the weekends/during more touristy times. Good, free activity if you have some extra time during your visit."
Mackenzie Jensen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Kamakura Station, it's about a 20-30 minute walk. The path involves an uphill climb, so comfortable shoes are a must. You can also take a bus towards the Kotoku-in Temple area and walk from there, but the walk from the station is often recommended for the experience.
Yes, it's relatively close to Kotoku-in Temple (home of the Great Buddha), making it a convenient stop on a Kamakura day trip.
The path is well-trodden but can be steep. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and ensure you have good grip on your shoes.
Parking is limited in the immediate vicinity. It's generally recommended to use public transport and walk to the shrine.
Taxis can get you close, but they may not be able to drive all the way to the shrine entrance due to narrow roads. You might still have a short walk uphill.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there is no entrance fee to visit Zeniarai Benten Shrine. It's a free attraction.
While the shrine itself is free, you'll need to purchase a candle and incense stick (around ¥100-¥200) to perform the money-washing ritual.
The shrine is generally open from morning until late afternoon, typically around 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It's best to check for any seasonal changes.
The tradition is to wash Japanese Yen. It's believed to multiply your wealth, so focus on your local currency.
No, advance booking is not required as there is no entry fee and it's a walk-in attraction.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Visitors purchase a candle and incense, then use the water from the spring to wash their money. It's believed to bring good fortune and multiply wealth.
You'll need yen bills to wash. You can purchase a candle and incense stick at the shrine for the ritual.
Yes, the shrine complex includes many smaller shrines, beautiful torii gates, and a unique tunnel entrance, offering a serene spiritual atmosphere.
Absolutely! The tunnel entrance, torii gates, and the overall ambiance make for great photo opportunities.
It can get busy, especially on weekends and during peak tourist seasons. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are often small vendors near the shrine selling local snacks like rice cakes (mochi) and dango, which are highly recommended.
You'll typically find traditional Japanese street food, perfect for a quick bite after your visit.
While there are snack vendors, for a full meal, you might need to head back towards the main Kamakura area or other temple districts.
Snacks like dango and rice cakes are often vegetarian, but it's always good to confirm ingredients if you have specific dietary needs.
Picnicking is generally not encouraged within the shrine grounds to maintain its sanctity. It's best to enjoy snacks from vendors or dine elsewhere.
📸 📸 Photography
The unique tunnel entrance, the rows of torii gates, and the serene atmosphere of the smaller shrines are prime photography locations.
Photography is generally allowed, but be respectful of others performing the ritual. Avoid flash photography if it might disturb people.
Morning light can be beautiful, especially if you can catch it before the crowds. However, the atmosphere can also be quite mystical in the late afternoon.
Drones are typically not permitted at religious sites in Japan to ensure peace and respect. Always check local regulations.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the tunnel and shrine architecture. A standard zoom lens will be versatile for other shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the ritual itself is simple, the surrounding smaller shrines and the cave entrance provide interesting sights. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for everyone, and consider purchasing a small snack like dango from nearby vendors to keep energy levels up. The shrine is free to enter, making it a budget-friendly activity for families exploring Kamakura.
💰 Budget Travelers
The walk from Kamakura Station is free and offers scenic views. You can easily spend an hour here without spending much money, making it a perfect addition to a day trip focused on free or low-cost attractions in Kamakura.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Legend of Zeniarai Benten
The shrine itself is nestled within a cave, adding to its mystical allure. The journey to the shrine involves a pleasant, albeit uphill, walk, often passing through a distinctive tunnel entrance. This approach enhances the sense of discovery and anticipation as visitors make their way to the sacred site. The atmosphere is one of reverence and hope, with many visitors carefully performing the money-washing ritual.
Performing the Money-Washing Ritual
Many visitors find the ritual to be a unique and memorable part of their trip. The act of washing money is seen as a symbolic gesture of cleansing and multiplying one's wealth. After washing, the money is dried, and visitors often leave with a sense of optimism. The surrounding smaller shrines and the peaceful ambiance of the cave further enhance the spiritual experience.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit