Hase-dera Temple
長谷寺 · Hase
Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Contents
11 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Hase-dera Temple (Kaiko-sanji Shoin Hasedera)2:27
Welcome to Kaiko-sanji Shoin Hasedera, more commonly known simply as Hasedera or the Hase Kannon. As we stand here at the base of Mount Kamakura, you are entering a space that has served as a spiritual anchor for over thirteen…
Listen in the app2Sanmon — The Entrance Gate2:06
We begin our physical journey at the Sanmon, the main entrance gate, which serves as the threshold between the secular world and the sacred precincts of Hasedera. The most striking feature here is the massive red paper lantern…
Listen in the app3Hosei-ike and Myochi-ike — The Lower Ponds2:02
Just past the entrance gate, we encounter the lower garden, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design centered around two beautiful ponds: Hosei-ike and Myochi-ike. This area is a 'great spot for some peace and tranquility,'…
Listen in the app4Benten-kutsu — The Cave of Benzaiten1:57
We now approach one of the most intriguing features of Hasedera: the Benten-kutsu cave. This is a 'long windy tunnel with a low ceiling' carved directly into the rock face of the mountain. …
Listen in the app5Jizo-do — The Hall of a Thousand Statues1:56
As we ascend to the middle level of the temple, we encounter the Jizo-do Hall and the surrounding terraces. This area is home to 'hundreds, if not thousands, of small Jizo statues,' known as Sentai Jizo. …
Listen in the app6Kannon-do — The Main Hall and the Eleven-Headed Kannon2:05
We have reached the spiritual heart of the complex: the Kannon-do, or Main Hall. This impressive structure houses the Hase Kanzeon, one of the most significant Buddhist statues in Japan. …
Listen in the app7Amida-do — The Hall of Amida Nyorai2:04
Adjacent to the Main Hall stands the Amida-do, a smaller but equally significant building dedicated to Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light. This hall houses a seated statue of Amida, which is approximately 2.8 meters tall. …
Listen in the app8Miharashidai — The Prospect Deck1:59
Step out now onto the Miharashidai, the temple’s expansive prospect deck. This 'main level of the temple' offers an 'impressive view over Yuigahama,' the famous crescent-shaped beach of Kamakura. …
Listen in the app9Ajisai-no-sanpo-michi — The Hydrangea Path1:53
As we head toward the upper slopes behind the main halls, we enter the Ajisai-no-sanpo-michi, or the Hydrangea Path. Hasedera is globally renowned as a 'Temple of Flowers,' and this hillside path is the centerpiece of that…
Listen in the app10The Kannon Museum1:49
Our final stop within the temple grounds is the Kannon Museum, a modern facility dedicated to the history and iconography of the temple's main deity. While cameras are often restricted here to protect the delicate artifacts, the…
Listen in the app11Closing1:53
As we conclude our journey through Kaiko-sanji Shoin Hasedera, we return to where we began, at the base of the mountain near the Sanmon gate. I hope this walk has provided you with more than just a series of sights; I hope it has…
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What is Hase-dera Temple?
Hase-dera Temple is a place in Hase with 11 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Hase |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 11 |
| Total length | 22 min 11 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.3125, 139.5330 |
| Last updated |
