A temple where flowers bloom all year round.

Closed Day Open daily
Opening Times 9:00 ~16:00 
The principle image is open to the public.

 
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Honzon (Principal image of the Buddha)

Sho kannon bodhisattva

School Rinzai sect kenchoji school
Founder (a person who provided financial support for the construction of a temple or a well-known person who lent support) Uesugi Norimasa
Kaisan (the monk who first founded the temple, the first chief priest) Misshitsu Shugo
Sangou (the name that is added before the name of the temple) Fukugenzan

 

Spring Forsythia(March to April)、Iris japonica(April to May) 、Spiraea(March to April)
Summer Iris(June)
Fall  
Winter Wintersweet(December to February)、Daffodil(January to March)
Kamakura 33 Kannon Bodhisattva, No. 30 Sho kanzeon
kannon bodhisattva
It is in the main hall
 

 
 
 There is Hondo(a main hall) 

Meigetsuin temple was a sub-temple of Zenkoji Temple (which existed until the beginning of the Meiji period) . When Zenkoji Temple was abandoned in 1380 , only the sub-temple, Meigetsuin, remained .

It is famous for its hydrangeas and is also known as the " hydrangea Temple . "
About 2,500 hydrangeas bloom here.
Among them, the pale blue hydrangeas native to Japan, known as Hime-ajisai , are known as Meigetsuin Blue . The best time to see them is from June to July.

As you walk around the temple grounds, you will come across cute rabbit statues in various places.

There is the principal image Sho kanzeon bodhisattva
Kamakura 33 Kannon Bodhisattva, No. 30

 

 There is Sarori-no-mado(a window of enlightenment)

The round window called the "Enlightenment Window" is located in the main hall.
You can see the rear garden from the Enlightenment Window.
The view of the garden from this windowis famous for being beautiful, like a painting.

You can go inside the rear garden and take a walk during the maple leaves (around December) and irises (around June) .

Ⓐ In front of the main hall is the " Karesansui Garden".
Ⓑ Behind the main hall is the " Rear Garden ."

 


 

 

There is Tsurube-no-i(well)

It is "one of the "Ten Wells of Kamakura . "The well was named " Tsurube " ( " Tsurube") because the shape of the well resembles a water pitcher .

 


 There is Meigetsu-in yagura(tombs)

It is said to be the grave of Uesugi Norikata .

"A yagura" is a type of cave tomb excavated into the slope of a mountain, unique to the Kamakura region.
It is about 7 meters wide, 6 meters deep, and 3 meters high. It is said to be the largest tower in Kamakura .

In the center of the tower, the statues of Shakya Buddha and Taho Nyorai (Buddha of Many Treasures)  are carved in relief.
On either side of them, the statues of the 16 Rakanzu' ( Arhats) are carved in relief.

 


 
 
 
 There is the grave of Houjou Tokiyori

This is the grave of Hojo Tokiyori .

" Hojo Tokiyori " was the fifth regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. He was active during the "heavenly age of regent politics" .
It is said that he built "Saimyoji Temple (the temple before Meigetsuin Temple was built)" to become a monk .


 
 
 
 
  There is a approach.

The best time to see hydrrangeas is from June to July . About 300 hydrangeas bloom here.Among them, the pale blue hydrangeas native to Japan, called "Himeajisai", are known as Meigetsuin Blue .
It gets crowded when the hydrangeas start to bloom.


 

There is Kaizan-do(Hall)

There is a wooden statue of the "Missitsushugon" (the monk who first established the temple, the first chief priest).
It is a small thatched roof.


 

 There is a tea house called Gesshoken.

At the cafe "Gekkeiken" you can enjoy matcha, green tea, sweet sake, and Japanese sweets.
I researched Gekkeiken


There is Ushiroteien(garden)

We can see 3,000 irises and maples .

You can enter the park by donating to UNICEF.
telephone number
0467-24-3437
address
189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City

It is about a 10-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station.

Meigetsuin temple

189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City

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