Sugimotodera Temple
Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan
A five-minute walk will take you to Sugimoto-dera temple. Michelin two-star. This is the hidden, and oldest temple in Kamakura, founded in mid 8th century. You will enjoy Deva Kings, the moss-covered stone steps, main hall. Good to check the Buddhist statues deep inside the main hall (in a bit of distance).
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:12
Welcome to Sugimotodera, a site of profound historical and spiritual weight. Established in the year seven hundred and thirty-four, this is officially the oldest Buddhist temple in Kamakura. …
Listen in the app2The Niomon Gate and the Guardian Kings2:06
Our journey begins at the Niomon, or the Two Deva Gate. This entrance structure serves as the boundary between the mundane world and the sacred space of the temple. …
Listen in the app3The Moss-Covered Steps and the Path of Time2:03
Before you lies the most iconic image of Sugimotodera: the ancient stone steps blanketed in a thick, emerald-green carpet of moss. These steps have been worn down by the feet of countless pilgrims over the course of thirteen…
Listen in the app4The Kannondo Main Hall: A Vessel of Mercy2:16
We have reached the Kannondo, the main hall of Sugimotodera. This structure, rebuilt in the late seventeenth century, is designated as an Important Cultural Property by Kanagawa Prefecture. …
Listen in the app5The Gorinto Pagodas and the Battle of Sugimoto2:11
Near the main hall stands a cluster of weathered stone pagodas known as Gorinto, or Five-Ringed Towers. In Buddhist philosophy, these five sections represent the elements of the universe: earth, water, fire, wind, and space. …
Listen in the app6The Bell Tower and the Resonance of Kamakura2:08
We now move to the temple’s bell tower, or shoro. The bell housed here is an essential part of the temple's daily and ceremonial life. …
Listen in the app7The Hillside Viewpoint and Final Perspective2:03
As we reach the highest point of the accessible temple grounds, we are rewarded with a panoramic view of the eastern part of Kamakura. On a clear day, looking toward the west, you might be fortunate enough to see the silhouette…
Listen in the app8Closing1:52
As you step back onto the road toward the center of Kamakura, take a final moment to consider the weight of the thirteen hundred years of history you have just walked through at Sugimotodera. This temple is a rare survivor, a…
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What is Sugimotodera Temple?
Sugimotodera 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 | 16 min 51 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.3224, 139.5674 |
| Last updated |
