5月は穏やかな月ですが、気温の上昇にうんざりしている人も多いかもしれません。都会の暑さを避け、神奈川県の鎌倉エリアにある古刹を訪れてみるのはいかがでしょうか。この地域は古刹が多く、特に初夏に訪れたい名刹がたくさんある。建長寺や長谷寺、光明寺などで国宝や重要文化財を見ることができる。また、杉本寺や静静寺のように四季折々の花に囲まれた場所もあり、自然の中でリラックスできる。暑さ対策として、自然の中で過ごすのもいいかもしれない。
May is a calm month, but some people may be tired of the rising temperatures. Why not escape the heat of the city and visit a famous temple surrounded by lush greenery? Particularly in the Kamakura area of Kanagawa Prefecture, there are many ancient temples, and it’s the season when flowers like hydrangeas are in full bloom.
So, this time, we’ll introduce you to the temples you want to visit in early summer from the “Kamakura Temple Travelogue” published on “sarai.jp”. Please note that the visiting hours and admission fees of the temples may have changed, so make sure to check before you go.
■Explore Japan’s first authentic Zen temple, Kenninji, full of attractions
“Kenninji” is the first of the Kamakura Gozan, which determines the ranking of Rinzai sect temples. It is also famous as the head temple of the Rinzai Kenninji Temple and the first formal Zen temple in Japan.
With national treasures such as a bell, important cultural property “Sanmon” gate, a Buddha hall housing the Jizo Bosatsu main statue, garden, and other attractions.
Kenninji | Highlights of Kamakura’s top temple (Kamakura temple travelogue 1)
■Hasedera, the oldest temple in Kamakura with Japan’s largest wooden Buddha statue
Hasedera was founded in 736 during the reign of Emperor Shomu. The main eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue is 9.18 meters tall, making it the largest Buddha statue in Japan. The Kannon Dokuritsuken hall adjacent to the main hall displays the main statue and 33 actual-size statues (designated cultural property of Kamakura City), along with a bonsho bell (important cultural property).
Hasedera offers unique ways to appreciate, such as turning a large revolving bookshelf to gain the same merit as reciting all scriptures. It also has around 2,500 hydrangeas of various species blooming. Different kinds of flowers in approximately 40 varieties.
Hasedera | Mysterious origins of the giant eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue (Kamakura temple travelogue 2)
■Marvel at the towering Sanmon gate and spacious Komyoji temple
Komyoji, established in 1243, features Kamakura’s largest Sanmon gate and main hall. The Sammon gate is a solid two-story structure, with the lower floor in Japanese style and the upper floor in Chinese style. In addition to the principal statue of Amida Nyorai, it also enshrines the Nyoirin Kannon half-kneeling statue.
In late May, azaleas surrounding the stone garden bloom, and in July, red spider lilies bloom in the garden pond, delighting the eyes.
Komyoji | Kamakura’s grandest Sanmon gate and impressive main hall (Kamakura temple travelogue 3)
■Stone steps covered in moss at Kamakura’s oldest temples, Sugimotoji and Hokaiji
“Sugimotoji” is the oldest temple in Kamakura, founded in 734. Empress Komyo, the wife of Emperor Shomu, received a revelation from the Kannon Bodhisattva in a dream and built the main hall, enshrining a Kannon statue made by Gyoki. The mossy stone steps outside the Niomon gate are filled with mystery. Due to severe erosion of the steps, access is currently restricted.
The Hokaiji, Sugimotoji’s mother temple, was established by Master Tokiyori at the behest of Emperor Godaigo to appease the spirits of the Hojo clan. It is also a dojo for cultivating the nation’s treasures. With over 100 types of flowers, you can enjoy various flowers throughout the four seasons.
Sugimotoji and Hokaiji | Mossy stone steps of Kamakura’s oldest temples (Kamakura temple travelogue 5)
■A serene academy surrounded by flowers in every season, Seishoji
Tokyuji, also known as Akurokuji and Enakiritsuji, is well-known among many Kamakura literati who have depicted Tokyuji in their works. The temple has many literary monuments erected, making it a temple with literary ties.
Jochiji is located near Tokyuji, just a short walk from Kamakura Station. The Mahavira Hall enshrines three Buddhas, where prayers for all living beings of the past, present, and future can be heard. Next to it is an academy built in the Taisho era. The tranquil space surrounded by flowers blooming year-round creates a cool atmosphere even in hot and humid weather.
Tokyuji and Jochiji | Temples associated with cultural figures in northern Kamakura (Kamakura temple travelogue 7)
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It’s nice to cool off in an air-conditioned room, but we also recommend going out into nature surrounded by greenery. How about relaxing and going out to beat the heat?
Text/Editorial Department