What is the money-washing ritual at Zeniarai Benten Shrine?

Visitors place coins or bills in wicker baskets, pour sacred spring water over them using ladles, and let them dry. The ritual takes place inside a cave where natural spring water flows. The shrine provides baskets and ladles for a small donation of 100 to 200 yen. According to tradition, the washed money will multiply and bring financial prosperity.

When is the best time to visit Zeniarai Benten Shrine?

The shrine receives the most visitors on snake days according to the Japanese zodiac calendar, occurring approximately every 12 days. The busiest periods are New Year and 己巳 (Tsuchinoto-mi) days, when snake days fall in snake months. These dates are considered most auspicious for the money-washing ritual. The shrine is open year-round.

Do I need to bring anything to participate in the ritual?

Bring the money you wish to wash—coins or bills. The shrine provides baskets and ladles for a suggested offering of 100 to 200 yen. Candles and incense are available for purchase at the shrine. A towel to dry your money is optional but useful.

How do I find the shrine entrance?

From Kamakura Station, walk west following signs for "Zeniarai Benten" for approximately 20 minutes. The entrance is marked by a torii gate followed by a tunnel carved through rock. The tunnel leads directly into the shrine grounds.

Can I spend the money immediately after washing it?

Yes. Tradition holds that circulating the washed money activates its prosperity blessing rather than saving it. There are no restrictions on when or how to spend it.

Kamakura

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

4.3 (7745)Shinto ShrineTourist AttractionPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or OrganizationPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Apr 8, 2026

Zeniarai Benten Shrine, officially known as Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine, is a distinctive Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Japan, renowned for its unique tradition of washing money. According to legend, the shrine was founded in 1185 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, after he received a divine message from Ugafuku Myojin instructing him to build a shrine at this location to bring peace and prosperity to the nation.

The shrine is dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of water, music, and wealth, who has been syncretized with the Shinto deity Ugafuku Myojin. The site's cultural significance lies in its centuries-old ritual of washing money in the shrine's sacred spring water, which is believed to multiply one's wealth. This practice has made Zeniarai Benten one of Kamakura's most popular spiritual destinations, particularly attracting visitors on days of the snake in the zodiac calendar, as snakes are considered messengers of Benzaiten.

Visitors enter the shrine through a small tunnel carved into the rock face, which opens into a hidden valley containing the main worship hall and the sacred spring cave. Inside the cave, worshippers use small wicker baskets and ladles to wash coins and bills in the natural spring water before allowing them to dry and returning them to their wallets. The shrine grounds also feature smaller shrines, stone monuments, and atmospheric torii gates set against the hillside, creating an intimate and mystical environment distinct from Kamakura's larger temples.

Zeniarai Benten is located approximately 1.5 kilometers west of Kamakura Station in a secluded hillside setting. The shrine can be reached by a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station, following signposted paths through residential streets and up a gentle incline. Alternatively, visitors can take a 5-minute walk from Kamakura Station's west exit to the shrine entrance. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome to participate in the money-washing ritual by bringing their own currency.

Hours

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone

+81 467-25-1081

Website

www.kanagawa-jinja.or.jp

Overview

Address

2-chōme-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017, Japan

Hours

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone

+81 467-25-1081

Website

www.kanagawa-jinja.or.jp

Traveler reviews

Shrine located in the hills of Kamakura, accessible through a small tunnel and a short uphill walk that can be a bit challenging for some people. Zeniarai Benten Shrine is known for the tradition of washing coins in the shrine’s spring water, which is believed to bring financial luck and prosperity. The setting is pleasant and somewhat unique, but overall there is nothing particularly exceptional compared to other shrines in Kamakura. Worth a visit if you are nearby or curious about the coin-washing tradition.

Ryan GLOBETROTTER

Apr 5, 2026

A unique and peaceful shrine experience in Kamakura. The highlight here is the tradition of washing your money in the sacred spring, which is believed to bring good fortune and multiply your wealth. The path leading to the shrine through a small tunnel cave already makes the visit feel special and a bit mysterious. The atmosphere is calm and surrounded by nature. Definitely worth a visit when in Kamakura, even is about 20 mins walk from Kamakura station.

Terence Tan

Mar 16, 2026

This is a small off-the-beaten-path shrine that is very old (built in 1185) and unique. The front entrance is accessed via a tunnel carved out of a hill. People come here to wash their money as part of the ritual to multiply their wealth. For those who want to discover lesser known shrines in Kamakura, we would recommend making a visit to this small shrine as it is very old, unique and interesting to see.

D C1

Jan 30, 2026

This shrine is super amazing! It took us a bit of a hike but it’s worth it!! The shrine is a mix of Shin and Buddhism. said to worship a traditional spirit Ugafukujin that mostly grant wealth, and Sarasvati, goddess of learning. This shrine has a lot of body of water, and you can get omikuji that only appear when bathed in water (you can do it there!) and also washes your money there. People believe it will make them multiply 💕. The oden there is also good, it warms me up during winter.

Tess M

Feb 19, 2026

Increible shrine whose the access goes within a tunnel through the strong rock of the hill where you have access to others shines. It is also one of the minority in Japan that still shows the fusion of native religious beliefs and foreign Buddhism, lot of people was here in spite of the rain and some elders were doing the effort to visit the place with their family, it felt particularly nice to see them