[2025 Kamakura Attraction] Travel Guide for Meigetsu-in (Updated Mar)

Meigetsuin, also known as Hydrangea Temple (Ajisai-dera) is a well-known spot to appreciate the beauty of hydrangeas. Meigeitsu also houses the tomb of Hojo Tokiyori, a former supreme ruler of Japan who used Kamakura as his base. Admission Fee: 500yen (regular fee) Iris garden: 500 yen (open in June) Access: 10-min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura St. the JR Yokosuka Line (about 1 hour from Shinjuku St.) Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa

Meigetsuin Temple is famous for its hydrangea season in June✨ It is also affectionately known as the "hydrangea temple." When I visited on September 30, 2024, I was able to enjoy a lush landscape that was different from the hydrangea season🌿 Vivid red spider lilies Hydrangea peony, which resembles a hydrangea Pink begonia Hibiscus-like hibiscus The scenery with the beautifully blooming flowers was also beautiful🏵️ Some of the maples were turning yellow and red, but the best time to see the autumn leaves is around late November to early December every year🍁 The main hall was decorated with pumpkins and sweet potatoes harvested in the fall, which was wonderful🍠🍂 From the circular window behind it, called the "Window of Enlightenment," it was wonderful to be able to appreciate the beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons in the garden behind the main hall, like a painting in a round frame🖼️ 🌼Seasonal flowers blooming at Meigetsu-in [Spring] Peach, cherry blossom, white magnolia, fritillary, Japanese dogwood, holly-leaf mahonia, mountain azalea, black-flowered laurel, Japanese laurel Japanese laurel, Hirado azalea, willow, forsythia, magnolia, Japanese quince, iris, beadle, Japanese laurel, weeping cherry, azalea, magnolia, Japanese laurel, mountain bush, summer sprout, jasmine [Summer] Hydrangea, Japanese iris, rock sedge, summer camellia, trumpet creeper, mountain lily, crape myrtle, hibiscus, hydrangea, silk tree [Autumn] Osmanthus, bush clover, red spider lily, Japanese silver grass, Japanese silverleaf, lesser cuckoo, Japanese anemone, beadle, camellia, maple [Winter] Maple, daffodil, plum, witch hazel, wintersweet, camellia, Christmas rose, camellia "Meigetsuin" 📍Japan, 247-0062 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture (10 minutes walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station) Visiting hours/entry times: 9:00~16:00 Admission fees: High school students and above: 500 yen Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen Disabled: Free (disability certificate required) *One accompanying person is free Phone number: 0467-24-3437 #100TravelStyle #Kita-Kamakura #Flowers #Meigetsuin

As spring transitions into summer in Japan, it's also the season for hydrangeas to bloom. Across Japan, there are many famous spots for hydrangeas, including various parks and temples where you can enjoy these flowers in full bloom. This time, we recommend Meigetsu-in in Kamakura. Over 80% of the hydrangeas in the temple are the native 'Hime Ajisai' variety, primarily in blue and purple hues. The color of hydrangea flowers changes with the pH level of the soil: acidic soil produces sky blue flowers, neutral soil yields milky white flowers, and alkaline soil results in red or purple flowers. A must-see is the approach to the temple gate, lined with blooming hydrangeas on both sides.

During the hydrangea season in June, Meigetsu-in in Kamakura is a must-visit. Located a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station, Meigetsu-in planted about 2,500 hydrangeas along the approach to the temple after World War II due to a shortage of wooden stakes. The hydrangeas, which are easier to maintain, replaced the stakes and have since earned the temple the nickname 'Hydrangea Temple.' The hydrangeas here are initially a light blue when they start to bloom, and later in the season, they turn into a unique vibrant blue, known as 'Meigetsu-in Blue.' Visiting Hours: 09:00–16:00 Access: 10-minute walk from JR Yokosuka Line Kita-Kamakura Station Admission: 500 yen

#cherryblossom2024 Kamakura's Hasedera, officially known as Hase-dera, is a Buddhist temple famous for its beautiful gardens and impressive collection of Buddhist art. It is situated in the hills of Kamakura, Japan. The temple dates back to the 8th century and is dedicated to the goddess Kannon. One of its most notable features is a large wooden statue of Kannon with eleven heads, each representing a different aspect of compassion. Visitors to Hasedera can also enjoy the temple's serene atmosphere, picturesque views of the surrounding area, and seasonal events such as cherry blossom and autumn foliage viewing.#japan

Meigetsu-in Temple is also known as the Hydrangea Temple. In 1160, Yamanouchi Tsunetoshi founded Meigetsu-in. You can enjoy walking in the vicinity of the temple any season of the year. During summer, the temple is filled with full-bloomed hydrangeas. It is a natural beauty to behold. Prior to the pandemic, a lot of tourists would usually flock the temple to gaze the wonders of this national historic site. Despite the pandemic, a lot of local tourists from neighboring cities visit the temple to gaze at the beauty of this year’s hydrangea bloom. There is a dry garden that can calm your stressed senses by simply looking at it. The said garden is a a symbol of the Buddhist view of the world. #meigetsuin #meigetsuintemple #hydrangea #hydrangeaseason #buddhism #buddhisttemple #summer #japansummer

The Mingyue Courtyard in the green shade is actually a temple of the Jianchang Temple. It is also known as the "Ziyanghua Temple" because it has many hydrangea plants. The Mingyue Courtyard is actually the tower head of the Chan Hing Temple built in the Muromachi era. However, due to the destructive movement of the waste Buddha in the first year of the Meiji era, the Zen Hsien Temple in the past has disappeared, and only the Mingyue Courtyard survived. The quiet main entrance is hidden between the lush green trees, very inconspicuous. The stone monument of "Mingyueyuan" is engraved at the entrance, and it has been bruised. It is like the guardian here. It has seen the rise and fall of the world, and has seen the world's coldness. Into the inside, "new green" is the first feeling. I am tired of the demeanor, come to this green ocean, and my mood is refreshing. Through the small bridge to the Zongtang Hall in the courtyard, looking at the quiet bamboo forest, the clear water pool, could not help but remind me of the phrase "the winding path is quiet."

The Mingyue Courtyard is located on the hill of the ancient capital of Kamakura, so it is driving up the mountain, but the car is halfway up the mountain because of a forbidden sign, it can no longer continue. The Mingyue Palace is forbidden to pass after 9:00 in the peak season, so you should go to the Mingyue Hospital to take the public transportation of Jiangzhi Electric, and get off at the North Kamakura Station, or park your car near the North Kamakura Station and walk for 5 minutes. Address: 247-0062, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan