Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine
銭洗弁財天宇賀福神社
A shrine entered through a cave, where you wash coins in a bamboo basket using spring water from the cave; legend says washed money will return multiplied.
Zeniarai Benten is hidden in a valley on the west side of Kamakura and can only be reached through a rock tunnel. Inside, torii gates stack up and incense smoke drifts through the air, creating a world apart. Legend says that in 1185, Minamoto no Yoritomo received a divine revelation in a dream, and a sacred spring welled up here. Later, Hōjō Tokiyori washed coins in the spring water to pray for his family's prosperity, which gave rise to the custom of washing money. To take part, borrow a bamboo basket at the shrine office, light incense and candles, then go to the cave shrine and wash coins or banknotes in the spring water. It is said that washed money should be spent quickly to bring good fortune. Worship is free. It is about a 25-minute walk from the west exit of Kamakura Station, with a final uphill section.
Opening hours
08:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Sasuke Inari Shrine
- Jochi-ji Temple
- Tokei-ji Temple
- Komachi-dori
- Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in)
- Meigetsu-in
- Engaku-ji Temple
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu