Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)

Known as the “hydrangea temple” because of its views of hydrangeas, the beauty of the temple is overwhelming. If you visit during the rainy season, you can see a world dyed in a clear blue called Myogetsuin blue.

There are approximately 2,500 hydrangea plants in the temple, making it a spectacular spot to enjoy during the rainy season. Hydrangeas usually bloom from late May to early July, peaking in mid to late June. During this period, the temple is crowded with many tourists.

The hydrangea at Myogetsuin Temple is a variety called “Hime-hydrangea,” with round blue flowers that look like handmade pendants. It was named by botanist Tomitaro Makino.

Born in the snow country, the hydrangea’s branches are supple and drooping, looking like ojikis. The color of the flowers gradually darkens from the beginning of bloom, changing from clear blue to deep blue. They look beautiful in the soft light of rainy days, early mornings, and evenings.

Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery not only during the rainy season but also throughout the four seasons. The entire precincts of the temple are designated as a national historic site, and there is always a tasteful atmosphere no matter when you visit.

After passing through the temple gate, the main hall, Hojo, is on the left and enshrines the Bodhisattva Sho-Kanzeon. The round window in the Hojo is also called “Window of Enlightenment,” and the seasonal scenery cut through the garden is as beautiful as a painting.

Beyond the Window of Enlightenment is the “Goteien,” a famous garden that was once famous as one of the Ten Temples of the Kanto Region. The Goteien is open to the public only during the autumn foliage season in December and the iris blooming season in June.

Within the vast garden is the iris garden, which is especially beautiful in June when the irises are at their best. During the period when the grounds of Meigetsuin are decorated with hydrangeas, the back of the rear garden is also filled with various types of irises.

There is also a karesansui (dry landscape) garden in front of the hojo, where weeping cherry trees gracefully bloom against a background of white sand in late spring, creating a beautiful scene.

The area around “Kaisando-Do,” the former main hall, is a relaxing place where time flows slowly. Proceeding back from the hojo, you will find Kaisando-Do surrounded by mountains. Built in 1719 (Kyoho 4), it is one of the oldest buildings in the temple. Inside the hall, a statue of the secret chamber guardian is enshrined.

Taking a deep breath while feeling the breath of nature that surrounds you, you will feel calm and peaceful.

Myogetsuin also has a yagura, a cave tomb that is a historical legacy of the Kamakura period in the Middle Ages. The yagura at Myogetsuin is the largest existing one and is called “Myogetsuin Yagura.

The walls are embossed with Buddhist statues of Sakyamuni, Taho, and the sixteen arhats, and a large stone Hokyointo (a Japanese box-shaped pagoda) is set in the center.

The well is also one of the ten wells in Kamakura and is thought to have been dug through the bedrock. It is called “bottle well” because of the bulge inside the well that resembles a water bottle. Even today, good quality water still gushes out from the well, and the surrounding area is decorated with seasonal flowers.

There is also an ema (votive picture tablet) with wishes on it and a “Hanamoi-Jizo” (a guardian deity of flowers) to which seasonal flowers are dedicated. During the hydrangea season, the temple is decorated with hydrangeas, creating a beautiful scene.

There is also a bamboo grove where a fresh breeze blows through. Benches have also been set up for visitors to enjoy a quiet moment.

If you want to take a break or enjoy a cup of tea, there is a tea house called “Gasshoken. Here you can savor matcha green tea and sweets while enjoying the view of the garden with suikinkutsu. There is also a red seal station near the main gate.

At Meigetsuin, visitors can enjoy plum blossoms, jukyuri (bokeh), and a variety of flowers throughout the year. Visitors can also experience the history of the temple while viewing the garden scenery through a circular window, the dry landscape, the Myogetsuin caves, and the tomb of Hojo Tokiyori, all of which are typical of Japanese temples.

Overview

Meigetsuin Temple is a temple of the Kenchoji School of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Sannouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its official name is Fukugenzan Meigetsuin. This temple is known for its hydrangea blossoms and is also known as “Ajisai-dera” (Hydrangea Temple).

Its history dates back to the late Heian period (794-1185), when Meigetsu-an was built as a memorial service for Toshimichi Yamauchi. The principal deity is the holy Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), and its founder was Uesugi Norikata, while its founder (first abbot) was Mishitsu Shugon. There is also the grave site of Den Hojo Tokiyori in the precincts of the temple.

Meigetsuin Temple was a sub-temple of Zenko-ji Temple, but the main Zenko-ji Temple was abolished in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), leaving only Meigetsuin Temple.

Zenko-ji itself was founded by Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate, and named Saimei-ji Temple, but was abandoned after Tokiyori’s death. Later, Hojo Tokimune, Tokiyori’s son, rebuilt the temple with Rankei Doryu as its founder, and renamed it Zenko-ji Temple.

Today, Meigetsuin Temple is famous as a “hydrangea temple” and is extremely crowded during the hydrangea season. Hydrangeas were planted at this temple only relatively recently, after World War II, when there was a shortage of stakes to maintain the approach to the temple, and hydrangeas were planted to replace them.

In addition to hydrangeas, flowers bloom all year round, and the autumn leaves are also beautiful. Visitors can enjoy beautiful flowers in all seasons, such as wax plum blossoms in winter and plum and cherry blossoms in spring.

The karesansui (dry landscape) garden, the round window, and the Myogetsuin Yagura are also highlights of the temple. In particular, the round window inside the hojo, called the “Window of Enlightenment” in the main hall (Shiyoden), offers a spectacular view that is representative of Kamakura. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of the four seasons like a painting cut out in a round frame.

Precincts

Meigetsuin Temple is known as “Hydrangea Temple,” and thousands of pale blue hydrangeas are in full bloom on the temple grounds. These beautiful hydrangeas are also known as “Myogetsuin Blue. In addition to hydrangeas, many other flowers are planted throughout the four seasons. The entire temple grounds are designated as a national historic site.

The following buildings and spots are located within the precincts of the temple:

Main gate
Chachabashi Bridge
Mausoleum of Hojo Tokiyori
Tomb of Hojo Tokiyori
Gasshoken (tea house)
Katsura Bridge
Gate
Karesansui Garden
Kaisando-Do: This hall was once built as “So-you-do” and later became “Kaisando-Do. Inside the hall, a wooden statue of Mitsuyoudo and tablets of successive abbots are enshrined.
Yagura: There are several yagura in Kamakura, but the one at Myogetsuin is the largest. The walls are decorated with carvings of the Buddha and the Shakyamuni Buddha, and the upper part of the base is decorated with the sixteen arhats. There is also a box-shaped pagoda that is said to be the tomb of Uesugi Norikata.
Treasury
Tsurube no Ii: One of the ten wells in Kamakura, this well is still in use today. It is also called “Kame-no-i” (well of a jar).
Main Hall
The garden behind the main hall: Normally closed to the public, but open to the public only during the iris and foliage blooming seasons.