Meigetsuin

Temple
Prefecture
Kanagawa
Type
Temple
N/A
1 review
¥500
Entry Fee
Train Access

About This Destination

'Hydrangea Temple.' 2,500 blue bushes bloom in June—the deep blue is called 'Meigetsuin Blue.' The circular Window of Enlightenment in the main hall frames the garden behind it.
Meigetsuin, a Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1160, has earned its beloved nickname of Ajisaidera, meaning Hydrangea Temple, for the roughly 2,500 hydrangea bushes that transform its grounds into a sea of mesmerizing blue each June. The predominant Hime Ajisai variety produces a distinctive deep blue color that has become known as Meigetsuin Blue, creating an unforgettable spectacle along the stone-stepped approach and throughout the temple grounds. During the peak hydrangea season, the temple extends its hours and opens a special rear garden filled with irises and other seasonal flowers for an additional fee. Beyond the hydrangeas, the temple is known for its circular Maru-mado, or Window of Enlightenment, in the main hall, which frames a perfect view of the inner garden that changes with each season. The temple also features ancient yagura cave tombs carved into the surrounding hillside, a rabbit garden, and excellent autumn foliage that rivals the June hydrangeas in beauty.

Location

Prefecture: Kanagawa

Address: Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan

Nearest Station: Kita-Kamakura Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining facilities on temple grounds, but nearby Kita-Kamakura has tea houses and small eateries serving matcha sweets and light Japanese meals.

Official Website

Access

Kanagawa, Japan

Get Directions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Meigetsuin?

From JR Kita-Kamakura Station (Yokosuka Line), walk 10 minutes east — exit through the south side, follow the signs along the residential street. From Tokyo: 53 min direct on JR Yokosuka Line (¥920); from Yokohama 22 min (¥420). The road from the station passes Engaku-ji on the right then Tokei-ji on the left before Meigetsuin's distinctive long stone-walled approach. No vehicle access — temple is on a hill. Combine easily with Engaku-ji (5-min walk) and Kencho-ji (10-min walk) as a Kita-Kamakura morning route.

When is hydrangea (ajisai) season and how do I avoid crowds?

Hydrangeas peak from mid-June to early July; the temple's 2,500 'Hime-ajisai' bushes are mostly blue (a rare color called 'Meigetsuin Blue'). During this period entry rises to ¥500 (vs ¥300 normally) and the special back garden opens (extra ¥500). Crowds are intense — wait times can hit 90 min on June weekends. Strategy: arrive at 8:30 sharp (gates open 8:30 in June, normally 9:00); avoid weekends entirely; weekday rain is paradoxically the best time as flowers look most vibrant and crowds drop 50%. The famous 'round window of enlightenment' (Satori no Mado) framing the back garden is a Saturday queue-line.

What can I see outside hydrangea season?

Year-round draws: the Satori no Mado (round window) is iconic in every season; bamboo gardens around the main hall; ancient Yagura cave tomb (Kamakura's largest, located at the rear); usagi (rabbit) statues scattered around — Meigetsuin is also called the 'Rabbit Temple'. Autumn (mid-Nov to early Dec) is a stunning second season — the back garden opens specifically for autumn maples (extra ¥500) and crowds are 60% lower than June. Spring shows weeping cherry blossoms in early April. Winter dry-stone gardens are nearly empty — perfect for contemplative visits. Allow 45 minutes off-season, 90 minutes in June or November.

Are there nearby places to eat or rest?

Yes — Hachinoki main branch (3-min walk from station) serves shojin ryori vegetarian temple cuisine in a 200-year-old building (lunch ¥4,500–8,000, dinner ¥10,000+; reservations essential). Casual options: Cafe Kannon (10-min walk, opposite Tokei-ji, ¥800 cake sets); Soba Mikomu (next to station, ¥1,200 hand-cut soba). On the Meigetsuin approach itself, vendors sell hydrangea-themed soft serve (¥500) and ajisai-shaped wagashi (¥300) only during June. The temple has a small rest hut with benches inside the grounds (no food). Public restrooms at Kita-Kamakura Station and inside Meigetsuin (Western-style).

Nearby Destinations

🛕
Engaku-ji 279m
🛕
Kencho-ji 702m
🛍️
Komachi-dori 1.7km
⛩️
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu 1.4km
🏙️
Kamakura 1.9km
🛕
Hokoku-ji 2.3km

🛕 Other Temple in Kanagawa

Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in) Hase-dera Kencho-ji Engaku-ji

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