Shomyoji Temple in Kanazawa Bunko

Hidden gem in a suburb of samurai capital Kamakura

Takako Sakamoto Nov 09, 2016 - 1 min read

Beautiful reflection of an arched bridge

Shomyoji Temple has an impressive red gate

One of the Nio statues standing at the gate

Looking at the Nio statue from a different angle

Jizo statue sits on the grounds of Shomyoji Temple

Ajigaike Pond inside the Japanese garden of the temple

Looking at the Kondo Hall (main hall) from the edge of the pond

Ajigaike Pond has two red bridges. One is arched and the other is flat.

Sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful garden

Shomyoji Temple stands at the foot of the Nature Observation Woods. These stone steps lead you to a long hiking trail.

Temple grounds are connected to Kanazawa Bunko Museum through a tunnel

Nestled at the foot of three small mountains near the sea, Shomyoji Temple was founded in the 13th century by Hojo Sanetoki, the grandson of the second regent of the Kamakura Shogunate.

Shomyoji Temple flourished as a family temple of the powerful Hojo Clan in this area. At its height of prosperity it had seven majestic buildings including a three-story pagoda. However, the temple became dilapidated after the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in the 14th century. The current buildings were restored during the Edo Period. The most impressive is the beautifully rebuilt Jodo Garden (Pure Land Garden) with two red bridges over a serene Ajigaike Pond. With three mountains in the background, the temple is beautiful throughout the year. It is adjacent to the Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa Bunko Museum and can be accessed by 15 minutes' walk from the Kanazawa Bunko Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line.

More info

Find out more about Shomyoji Temple.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...