Hello, I’m Kumakichi.
Today, I’d like to introduce Eishō-ji Temple, which is about a five-minute walk from the west exit of Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line.
Eishō-ji is renowned as the “Temple of Flowers” and is the only nunnery in Kamakura today, although it seems there were other nunneries in the past. It’s surprising that it’s the only one, isn’t it?
By the way, this temple was established by Okaji, a descendant of Ota Dokan, who built the early Edo Castle. Okaji served Tokugawa Ieyasu and was the mother-in-law of Mito Tokugawa’s first lord, Yorifusa, which is why a princess from the Mito family became the head priest. It’s fascinating to know that this temple has continued since the Edo period!
About the cluster amaryllises
First of all, the grounds were adorned with the cluster amaryllises! They were incredibly beautiful! However, perhaps due to the intense summer heat of 2024, as of September 28, they were only about 30% in bloom. If you look at the fourth photo below, you can see that many flowers have yet to bloom. It seems that the peak this year will likely be around early October.
The beauty of the cluster amaryllises attracted many couples, and with such a reputation as a temple of flowers, other blooms were also lovely!
About the Statues
Additionally, in the main hall, there is the Amida Three Deities statue, which is said to be created by the famous Kamakura-period sculptor Unkei. I could only view it from a distance, but I could sense its unique atmosphere. It was quite dark inside, making it challenging to take photos…
As I continued exploring the grounds, I found the Seikanon Bodhisattva statue! Its elongated vertical form is quite distinctive!
I also discovered a somewhat mysterious cave! It appears to be accessible from the inside!
Inside was very dark, but stone statues were enshrined there. It was too dark for me to take pictures, so I can’t share any, but I highly recommend you visit! By the way, the exit looks like the photo below.
There’s also a bamboo grove area. Here, I found a small five-story pagoda! Don’t you think it blends beautifully with the bamboo?
Conclusion
Eishō-ji Temple is full of attractions, from flowers to statues! It’s conveniently located near Kamakura Station, and you can enjoy various flowers throughout the seasons, making it a place you’ll want to visit multiple times.
Why not stop by and experience it for yourself? Nearby, you can also explore Jufuku-ji, Jōkōmyō-ji, and Kaizō-ji temples, which I recommend visiting together!
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