Zeniarai Benten Shrine

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.