[2025 Yokohama Attraction] Travel Guide for Shomyo Temple (Updated May)

I am going to introduce you to a temple call Shomyoji Temple, which is located in Kanazawa Bunko, Yokohama. Kanazawa Bunko is located approximately 20 minutes south of Yokohama JR station. To get to Kanazawa Bunko, you must get on a red train call Keikyu line from Yokohama or Tokyo cities and get off at Kanazawa Bunko train station. To get to Shomyoji, you can walk a little less than one kilometer or take a taxi from the train station. The cost of taxi will be less than 1,000 yen. Shomyoji Temple is a family temple of Kanesawa Houjo-shi, said to be set up by Houjo Sanetoki during the Kamakura period. There is an impressive Jodo style garden with an Ajiike (Aji pond) at its center. The belfry is the model of "Shoumyo no bansho (Shomyo's Evening Bell)" painted by Utagawa Hiroshige as one of the "Kanazawahakkei (The Eight Views of Kanazawa. Getting there:You can take the Seaside line to Uminokōen-Shibaguchi Station (10 minute walk to Shomyoji) or Keikyu line to Kanazawa Bunko Station (12 minute walk) Please note there is no auto parking provided at Shomyoji.

[Kamakura Alps: From the hidden areas of Kita-Kamakura, Yamanouchi, and Imaizumi to Nikaido. Sansaigaike Park, Yin-Yang Waterfall, and Tenen Hiking Course] ⛰️ Hiking to the hidden area of ​​Kita-Kamakura, Sansaigaike Park and Yin-Yang Waterfall. There are two ways to enter the hiking course. ❤️ Starting from Meigetsuin Meigetsuin is famous for the scenery of hydrangeas blooming in the temple grounds, and the best time to go is May to July, after the rainy season. 📍 Location: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062 Starting from Meigetsuin. From the entrance to the cut, follow the road along Meigetsuin Street, turn, pass Aoki Sanso, and head to the Meigetsuin entrance of the Tenen Hiking Course. 📍Location: Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062 ⬇️ Ten'en Hiking course Myogetsuin entrance ⛰️Ten'en Hiking course Myogetsuin entrance 📍Location: 197-66 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062 💙Start from Kenchoji Temple. Kenchoji Temple is a Rinzai Zen temple with beautiful autumn leaves, and the best time to visit is March to June and October to November. Walk from Kenchoji Garden to Hansobo. 📍Location: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-8525 half-tribe 📍Location: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062 Ten'en Hiking course Ten'en Hiking course 📍Location: 4 Chome-16 Imaizumidai, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0053 💚Sanzagaike Forest Park 📍Location: 7 Chome-1-930-1 Imaizumidai, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0053 💚Syo-Myo-ji Imaizumi Fudo 📍Location: 4 Chome-5-1 Imaizumi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0052 💚Yin-Yang Waterfall 📍Location: 4 Chome-5-1 Imaizumi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0052 Descent pattern Go back from Kamakura Lakeside Street, 6th Street to Takinoiri Kita Park, then enter the grounds of Kakuonji Temple, Kamakura Shrine, Egara Tenjin Shrine, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine from Hyakuhachi Yagura, then head towards JR Kamakura Station via Komachi-dori or Wakamiya-oji. 🛕Hyakuhachi Yagura 📍Location: Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002 🛕Kakuonji Temple: Pray for health and recovery. A training center where you can learn the four sects of Shingon, Tendai, Zen, and Jodo. The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai 📍Location: 421 Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002 ⛩️Kamakura Shrine: Pray for protection from misfortune, business prosperity, and goal achievement. Collecting goshuin stamps. Faith in Prince Otaka and Prince Morinaga, who have a reckless personality 📍Location: 154 Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002 ⛩️Egara Tenjin Shrine: Academic success, prayers for success, especially for kindergarten to junior high school entrance exams 🌸Famous for plum blossoms. Umeboshi and amulets are popular products. 📍Location: 74 Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002 ⛩️Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: Prayers for safety in the home and safe childbirth 📍Location: 2 Chome-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8588 🛍️🍡Komachi-dori Shopping Street: A shopping street bustling with souvenirs and street food. 📍Location: Kanagawa, Kamakura, Komachi, St Wakamiya Oji: The cherry blossom trees along the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine are beautifully lit up at dusk 📍Location: Wakamiya St. If you are heading to JR Ofuna Station by bus If you are exhausted, it is better to use the bus. 📍Hakusan Shrine bus stop N5 Lakeside Loop To Ofuna Station Or arrange a taxi. ⚠️Notes❗️ ・Go in the morning when you are in good health and the weather is good. ・There are public toilets in the grounds of each temple where you can wash your hands. ・There are many coffee shops and food stalls run by local residents along the road where there are temples, but we recommend that you prepare water and energy for the mountain climb. ・Please take your trash home with you. #MyTravelPlan #SpringZeroYenTravel #DomesticTravel #JapanTrip #Kamakura #HikingCourse

#ancienttownvibes Shomyo-ji Temple is the perfect spot to escape the noise of everyday life. The moment you arrive, there’s a peaceful stillness in the air that makes you want to slow down and soak it all in. The highlight for me was the pond—it’s absolutely stunning, with koi fish lazily swimming and ducks floating around. Sitting by the water, watching the fish ripple the surface, feels like a meditation in itself. The red arched bridge over the pond adds a magical touch, blending beautifully with the surrounding greenery. The temple grounds are immaculately maintained and radiate calm. Whether it’s spring cherry blossoms, summer greenery, or autumn hues, the scenery is always breathtaking. I visited during a quieter time, so it felt like I had this little slice of serenity all to myself. It’s the kind of place where you can just wander, sit, and reflect without any rush. The traditional architecture of the temple buildings adds to the charm. Even without knowing all the history, you can sense the timelessness of the place. It’s not just about the sights—it’s the atmosphere that really sticks with you. Shomyo-ji is a hidden gem, perfect for anyone looking to relax, recharge, and reconnect with nature. I left feeling refreshed and already wanting to have a next visit.

It takes about 30 minutes by car to reach Shomyoji Temple from the center of Kamakura. Shomyoji Temple is also the family temple of the Kanazawa Hojo clan, which was built by Hojo Saneki during the Kamakura period (a temple where the clan members have been buried for generations). The Pure Land-style garden, centered around the Aji Pond in front of the main hall of the temple, is beautifully composed of the red-painted reverse bridge and the peaceful bridge. There are cherry blossoms in spring, yellow irises in early summer, and red leaves in autumn. You can enjoy different scenery with the change of seasons. Also, next to the temple is the Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa Library, a medieval history museum that displays national treasures such as the Shomyoji Temple and the Kanazawa Library documents. Every year in early May, outdoor Noh performances are held within the temple grounds. #2024TravelReview

#cherryblossom2024 Beautiful temple a short walk from the Kanazawa-bunko station. Beautiful set of bridges over the pond. I also liked the hiking trails behind the temple. They're not very well traveled and somewhat overgrown but you also have them to yourselves and they're not that long - so you can't get too lost.A hidden gem. Serene and tranquil. Get bread or rice crackers to feed the fish. Can pet and feed the cats if you are lucky. And there's a short hike to the hilltop and down which can be done in less than an hour. Best visited during Sakura and autumn for the colors. But it's beautiful anytime of the year.

Founded in the mid-13th century as the family temple of the Kanazawa Hojo clan. The principal image is a wooden standing statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva. A must-see at Shomyoji Temple is its vast garden. The Soribashi and Hirabashi bridges seem to divide the temple into left and right halves. The view of crossing these bridges to reach the Kondo was apparently based on the structure of the Jodo Mandala! The view from the bridge is nice, but the view of the red bridge from the Kondo hall, viewed from a little distance, is particularly picturesque. ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥLocation: Kanazawayama Shomyoji Temple ꕥAddress: 212-1 Kanazawa-cho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa ꕥAccess 🚉Kanazawa-bunko Station →🚶‍♀️About 17 minutes on foot ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Yokohama #Temples and shrines #Shrines and temples #Trip to Kanagawa #Sightseeing in Kanagawa