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Jōchi-ji Temple - 浄智寺 (built late 13th century onward)

Jōchi-ji temple is ranked fourth on the list of the so-called "five great Zen temples of Kamakura". The temple was erected in the late 13th century by the wife and son (Morotoki: 1275-1311) of the Fifth Hojo Regent Tokiyori in order to pray for the repose of his soul. Initially, they had selected Kokai Nanshu (d. 1303) to be the founding priest, but he felt that he was too young for this honor, and nominated two others in his place: Gottan and Taikyu (1215-1289), two Chinese preiests who had been invited to Japan by the Fifth Regent. However, Gottan died before the temple was completed.

The temple possesses on of Kamakura's Ten Celebrated Wells, the Kanro-no-i or Nectar Well. The water used to be among the best in Kamakura but now the well is little more than a scenic spot along the route to the temple proper.

The temple once had as many as 11 structures with nearly 500 people residing here and at its various sub-temples. Unfortunately, all the temple buildings were destroyed in the great Kanto earthquake of 1923. The structures now standing are all reconstructions.

An excellent description of the temple may be found at the following external website: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/jochiji.htm

For GPS users: According to the author's GPS, the temple is located at 35 20.02114' N, 139 32.85620' E.