Myohonji Temple
Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan
The temple is connected via the Gionyama hiking trail with some other nearby temples and a shrine. It leads through the wooded hills of Kamakura, and should be explored only with good walking shoes and during dry weather, because there are a few steep and rough passages.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Myohonji, one of the oldest and most significant temples of the Nichiren sect, located in the historic city of Kamakura. Nestled within a secluded valley known as Hikigayatsu, this temple sits on grounds that were once…
Listen in the app2The Nio-mon Gate — Guarding the Valley
Your journey begins at the Nio-mon, the grand entrance gate that marks the threshold of the Hiki Valley. This structure is a classic example of Muromachi-period style, featuring two fierce Nio guardians—Benevolent Kings—housed in…
Listen in the app3The Soshido Hall — A Masterpiece of Wood
At the heart of the complex stands the Soshido, or Founder's Hall. This is one of the largest wooden temple buildings in Kamakura, and its sheer size is a testament to the importance of the Nichiren sect. …
Listen in the app4The Hiki Clan Memorial and Tragedy
Adjacent to the main halls is a series of smaller monuments and graves that mark the tragic history of the Hiki clan. In 1203, the family was caught in a power struggle with the Hojo clan, the regents of the Kamakura Shogunate. …
Listen in the app5The Statue of Nichiren Shonin
Near the Soshido stands a large bronze statue of Nichiren Shonin, the charismatic and often controversial priest who founded the sect. Nichiren is depicted in a traditional pose of preaching, holding a scroll of the Lotus Sutra. …
Listen in the app6Hebi-no-i — The Legend of the Snake Well
Tucked away in a quieter corner of the grounds is a small well known as Hebi-no-i, or the Snake Well. This site is tied to a local legend regarding the Hiki clan tragedy. …
Listen in the app7The Sacred Forest and Seasonal Flora
The final section of your walk takes you into the upper reaches of the temple forest, where the hills rise steeply behind the buildings. This sacred forest is a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, providing a home to a variety…
Listen in the app8Closing
As you exit Myohonji and return to the more modern streets of Kamakura, take a final look back at the Nio-mon gate. You have visited a place that is a repository of both great tragedy and profound spiritual rebirth. …
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What is Myohonji Temple?
Myohonji Temple is a place in Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.3176, 139.5558 |
| Last updated |
