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

to see an explanation


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 |
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.
Kamakura 33 Kannon Bodhisattva, No. 30
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) .
Ⓑ Behind the main hall is the " Rear Garden ."
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 .
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.
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 .
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 a wooden statue of the "Missitsushugon" (the monk who first established the temple, the first chief priest).
It is a small thatched roof.
At the cafe "Gekkeiken" you can enjoy matcha, green tea, sweet sake, and Japanese sweets.
I researched Gekkeiken
We can see 3,000 irises and maples .