Grounds of the shrine
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Zeniarai Benten Shrine

4.3
·7k reviews·Kamakura, Japan

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
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Grounds of the shrine

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.3
(7k reviews)

"A unique and rewarding experience, even with the uphill climb!"

Vertical photo
TIP

👟 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.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Money Washing Spring

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

Tunnel Entrance

Main entrance

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

Smaller Shrines

Smaller Shrines

Surrounding the main cave

Explore numerous smaller shrines and torii gates, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.

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Planning Your Visit

Prepare for a Hike

Getting to Zeniarai Benten Shrine involves a bit of an uphill trek. Wear comfortable shoes, as the path can be steep. It's a rewarding journey, but be ready for the climb!

Money Washing Ritual

The main draw is washing your money for good fortune. You'll need to purchase candles and incense sticks to participate. Even a partial wash is believed to bring prosperity.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
Good for a relaxed visit
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#行った方がいい神社
@uranai_d
60.3K likes • 2M views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The path uphill can be steep, so good footwear is essential for a comfortable visit. Reddit

💰 Bring Yen for Washing

You'll need some yen bills to wash for good luck. Purchase candles and incense for the ritual. Reddit

reddit.com

Best temples in Kamakura

reddit.com

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. Reddit

🍡 Try Local Snacks

Don't miss out on delicious rice cakes or dango from nearby vendors. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The path uphill can be steep, so good footwear is essential for a comfortable visit. Reddit

💰 Bring Yen for Washing

You'll need some yen bills to wash for good luck. Purchase candles and incense for the ritual. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Allow an Hour

The shrine and its surroundings can be explored in about an hour, making it a great addition to a day trip. Reddit

🍡 Try Local Snacks

Don't miss out on delicious rice cakes or dango from nearby vendors. Reddit

📸 Unique Photo Ops

Capture the distinctive tunnel entrance and the serene atmosphere of the shrine. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.3
(7k reviews)

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

Unique money-washing ritual
Peaceful atmosphere
Free entry

What People Dislike

Uphill walk
Can get crowded

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. Reddit

Yes, it's relatively close to Kotoku-in Temple (home of the Great Buddha), making it a convenient stop on a Kamakura day trip. Reddit

The path is well-trodden but can be steep. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and ensure you have good grip on your shoes. Reddit

Parking is limited in the immediate vicinity. It's generally recommended to use public transport and walk to the shrine. Reddit

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. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there is no entrance fee to visit Zeniarai Benten Shrine. It's a free attraction. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

The tradition is to wash Japanese Yen. It's believed to multiply your wealth, so focus on your local currency. Reddit

No, advance booking is not required as there is no entry fee and it's a walk-in attraction. Reddit

🎫 🧭 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. TikTokReddit

You'll need yen bills to wash. You can purchase a candle and incense stick at the shrine for the ritual. Reddit

Yes, the shrine complex includes many smaller shrines, beautiful torii gates, and a unique tunnel entrance, offering a serene spiritual atmosphere. Reddit

Absolutely! The tunnel entrance, torii gates, and the overall ambiance make for great photo opportunities. TikTok

It can get busy, especially on weekends and during peak tourist seasons. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there are often small vendors near the shrine selling local snacks like rice cakes (mochi) and dango, which are highly recommended. Reddit

You'll typically find traditional Japanese street food, perfect for a quick bite after your visit. Reddit

While there are snack vendors, for a full meal, you might need to head back towards the main Kamakura area or other temple districts. Reddit

Snacks like dango and rice cakes are often vegetarian, but it's always good to confirm ingredients if you have specific dietary needs. Reddit

Picnicking is generally not encouraged within the shrine grounds to maintain its sanctity. It's best to enjoy snacks from vendors or dine elsewhere. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The unique tunnel entrance, the rows of torii gates, and the serene atmosphere of the smaller shrines are prime photography locations. TikTok

Photography is generally allowed, but be respectful of others performing the ritual. Avoid flash photography if it might disturb people. TikTok

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. TikTok

Drones are typically not permitted at religious sites in Japan to ensure peace and respect. Always check local regulations. TikTok

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the tunnel and shrine architecture. A standard zoom lens will be versatile for other shots. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Zeniarai Benten Shrine offers a unique and engaging experience for families. The uphill walk can be a fun adventure for children, and the concept of 'washing money' for good luck is often fascinating for younger minds. Reddit

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. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

This shrine is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers as there is no entrance fee. The primary cost is for the optional money-washing ritual, which is very inexpensive (around ¥100-¥200 for candles and incense). Reddit

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. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Legend of Zeniarai Benten

Zeniarai Benten Shrine, also known as the "Money Washing Shrine," is dedicated to Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, who is associated with wealth, wisdom, and the arts. The shrine's unique tradition of washing money is said to have originated in the 13th century. Legend has it that during the Kamakura period, a divine revelation instructed people to wash their money in the shrine's spring to increase their fortune. This practice has continued for centuries, attracting both locals and tourists seeking financial prosperity. Reddit

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. TikTokReddit

Performing the Money-Washing Ritual

The core experience at Zeniarai Benten Shrine is the ritual of washing money. Upon arrival, visitors can purchase a small set that typically includes a candle, incense sticks, and a small basket or sieve for holding the money. The ritual involves lighting the candle and incense, offering them at the shrine, and then carefully lowering your yen bills into the clear spring water. It's not necessary to wash every single bill; a partial wash is believed to be sufficient to invoke the blessing. Reddit

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. TikTokReddit

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