the viewing deck: Kamakura Trip 1st part; Meigetsu-in and Engaku-ji Temples

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Kamakura Trip 1st part; Meigetsu-in and Engaku-ji Temples

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Mt. Fuji Solo Trek last Part; the Trail Markers

How to go to Meigetsu-in Temple;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kita-Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. Entrance gate is 700m away from the Kita-Kamakura train station. Admission fee is 300JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Meigetsu-in Temple was founded in the year 1160 as "Meigetsu-an" (Bright Moon Hermitage) by Yamanouchi Tsunetoshi for the repose of the soul of his father Toshimichi, who died in the Battle of Heiji the previous year. Fugenzan Meigetsu-in is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchō-ji school. Famous for its hydrangeas, it's also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess Shō Kannon. Meigetsu-in started as Meigetsuan hermitage and was built by a military commander in the region during late Heian period. One of the Ten Wells of Kamakura is still in use on the compound. Through the round window of the temple, is a garden that brings memories of ancient times.

Kamakura Trip 1st Part; Meigutsu-in Temple

How to go to Engaku-ji Temple;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kita-Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. Entrance gate is 100m away from the Kita-Kamakura train station. Admission fee is 300JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Engaku-ji Temple was founded in the 5th year of the Koan Era (1282). Its patron was Hojo Tokimune of the Kamakura Shogunate, who played an important role in the battles against Mongolia. The founder of the temple was the high-ranking priest, Mugaku Sogen (Bukko Kokushi), who arrived in Japan from China. Engaku-ji was built mainly in honor the war-dead from both sides of the conflict , and one of the most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan and is ranked second among Kamakura's Five Mountains.