Meigetsuin Temple

Meigetsuin Temple (明月院), also known as the “Hydrangea Temple,” is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Rinzai sect located in Kamakura, Japan. It is known for its stunning hydrangea garden, which blooms in June and July, attracting visitors from all over Japan.

The temple was founded in 1160 and features a main hall, called the Hondo, which houses a statue of the principal deity, Sho Kannon Bosatsu (Holy Kannon Bodhisattva).

The highlight of Meigetsuin Temple is its hydrangea garden, which is located behind the main hall. The garden features about 2,500 hydrangea plants, which bloom in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, and purple. The garden is designed to be walked through in a specific order, leading visitors on a peaceful and serene journey through the blooms.

In addition to the hydrangea garden, Meigetsuin Temple is also famous for its beautiful rear garden with a round window called “The Window of Enlightenment”, which is located in front of the main hall. The round window and the garden behind it can be seen from the inside of the main hall. It is said that the round window represents enlightenment, truth, and the cosmos. The beautiful garden behind it is designed to represent a miniature landscape, featuring small hills, rocks, and streams covered in moss.

Getting there

From Kamakura Station to Meigetsuin Temple:

Train	Kamakura Station ↓ Yokosuka Line ↓ 3 minutes (Nonstop) Kita-Kamakura Station ↓ Walk about 9 minutes ↓ Meigetsuin Temple (Cost 150 yen)
Walk	About 30-40 minutes (2.3 km)
Taxi	About 10 minutes (Cost about 1,200 yen)

Details

Hours	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission	High school students and above: 500 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 300 yen
Phone	+81 467-24-3437
Address	189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062
Resources	https://cms.trip-kamakura.com/

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