Hase-dera Temple

Welcome to Hase-dera, one of the most beloved and multifaceted Buddhist temples in Kamakura. Known popularly as the 'Temple of Flowers,' this site offers a profound blend of spiritual depth, historical legend, and horticultural…

Your journey begins at the Niomon Gate, the fourth largest gate in Kamakura, distinguished by its massive symbolic Red Lantern. This gate serves as the threshold between the mundane world and the sacred precincts of the temple. …

One of the most 'spooky' yet fascinating parts of Hase-dera is the Benten-kutsu cave. Legend states that Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, spent time in seclusion here. …

Ascending toward the upper grounds, you will encounter the Jizo-do Hall. Surrounding it are thousands of small stone statues known as 'Sennin-jizo' or 'A Thousand Jizo'. …

The spiritual heart of the temple is the Kannon-do Hall, which houses the eleven-headed wooden statue of Hase Kannon. Standing at over nine meters (nearly thirty feet) tall, it is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan. …

Next to the Kannon-do is the Amida-do Hall, containing a nearly three-meter tall statue of Amida Buddha, the lord of the Western Pure Land. This statue is particularly unique because it was originally commissioned by Minamoto no…

After visiting the halls, step onto the broad observation deck. From here, you are rewarded with one of the most 'stunning views' in Kamakura, looking out over the traditional 'Japanese houses' and the crescent-shaped Yuigahama…

For a more meditative experience, visit the Shoin or writing hall, where visitors can practice 'Shakyo'—the art of copying Buddhist sutras. For a fee of 1,200 yen, you are provided with a brush pen and the sacred texts, allowing…

As you descend the mountain paths and pass through the Niomon Gate once more, carry with you the 'smiling faces' of the Nagomi Jizo and the golden light of the Kannon. You have walked through caves of candles, stood before a…