Tokei-ji, the Divorce Temple

Tokei-ji is located just a couple-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura station, about a 90 minute train ride south from central Tokyo. The temple was founded in 1285 as a refuge for battered wives. Thus, it became known as the "divorce temple". The grounds are dominated by an ancient refreshingly shaded cemetery carved out of the hillside. Many graves are adorned with statues that have been standing guard for probably centuries. If you are there in the summer, Tokei-ji is a welcome retreat from the harsh Japanese summers.