Hokaiji Temple
Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan
Experience a private one-hour Zazen session at this historic temple, which was founded in 1335. Under the guidance of an experienced Buddhist priest, you will delve into the heart of Zen practice, learning ancient techniques to cultivate inner peace and mindfulness. Our guide will interpret the priest's explanations into English.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Hokaiji Temple, a site of profound historical and spiritual significance located in the seaside city of Kamakura. As you enter the quiet grounds, you are stepping onto a place that was once the primary residence of the…
Listen in the app2The Main Hall — A Sanctuary for Souls
The Main Hall, or Butsuden, of Hokaiji is the spiritual core of the complex. It is a place of solemn beauty, designed to house the sacred images that provide comfort to both the living and the spirits of the dead. …
Listen in the app3The Temple of Bush Clovers — Hagi-dera
Hokaiji is perhaps most famous for its 'Hagi,' or bush clovers, which bloom in late September. During this time, the temple garden is transformed into a sea of delicate purple and white flowers that cascade over the stone paths…
Listen in the app4The Weeping Plum — Shidare-ume
While the autumn belongs to the clovers, the winter at Hokaiji is defined by the Shidare-ume, or weeping Japanese apricot tree. Standing in the temple garden, this ancient tree is a sight to behold in February, when its long,…
Listen in the app5Tendai Sect and the Imperial Order
The founding of Hokaiji is a fascinating chapter in the political history of medieval Japan. Emperor Go-Daigo, who sought to restore direct Imperial rule during the Kenmu Restoration, was the one who ordered the temple's…
Listen in the app6The Hojo Demise and the Harakiri Yagura
To truly understand Hokaiji, one must acknowledge the dark events that took place just a short distance from here. While the temple is a place of beauty, its foundation is rooted in the 'demise of the Kamakura Shogunate.' Just…
Listen in the app7The Approach from Komachi-dori
The experience of Hokaiji is enhanced by the journey to get here. As the transcripts explain, the temple is about a ten-minute walk from Kamakura station. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As our tour of Hokaiji Temple draws to a close, take a final moment to stand by the weeping plum or the clusters of bush clover. You have walked through a site that represents one of the most dramatic turning points in Japanese…
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What is Hokaiji Temple?
Hokaiji 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 | 35.3223, 139.5576 |
| Last updated |
