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 lines1Orientation1:27
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 Valley1:17
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 Wood1:17
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 Tragedy1:17
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 Shonin1:21
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 Well1:22
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 Flora1:25
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 app8Closing1:11
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 |
| Total length | 10 min 37 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.3176, 139.5558 |
| Last updated |
