Hasedera Temple in Kamakura: The Best Location for Viewing Hydrangeas Near Tokyo

Get to know Hasedera Temple

Hasedera Temple, also known as Hase Kannon Temple and officially named Kaikozan Jishoin Hasedera, is conveniently situated about an hour from Tokyo Station. At three locations within the temple grounds, you'll discover a trio of smiling Jizo statues, believed to bring good luck. These statues have become a popular photo motif among visitors.

Hasedera Temple
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 8-min bus ride from Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka line) until Hase-Kannon bus stop, from there it’s a 5-min walk; or 5-min walk from Hase Station (Enoden Line)
Official website: https://www.hasedera.jp/en/

Visit the Eleven-headed Kannon—the main object of worship

Hasedera Temple is the fourth temple of Bando Sanjusan Kannon Fuda-sho, a series of 33 Buddhist temples in Eastern Japan, dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Mercy. Its main object of worship is the 9.18-meter-tall Eleven-headed Kannon statue, one of Japan's largest wooden Buddhist statues.

It features eleven heads with different facial expressions, ranging from happiness and calmness to expressions of anger. It’s constantly watching over us in order to point out individuals in need, and is said to provide blessings in this life and after death, including Buddhahood.

When visiting the Eleven-headed Kannon, place your hands together in a peaceful frame of mind and let go of your concerns.

Delve into the rich 1,300-year history of Hasedera Temple

Hasedera Temple is believed to have been established around 736, during the Nara Period (736-794), predating the Kamakura Period (1185-1333.) It’s one of Kamakura's oldest temples.

The Kannon-do Hall, housing the Eleven-headed Kannon statue, was destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, but reconstructed with reinforced concrete nearly 60 years later.

Learn more about the Goddess of Mercy at the Kannon Museum

Hasedera Temple is home to the Kannon Museum, named after the Eleven-headed Kannon. It conveys the teachings of Kannon Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy.

Usually visible only from the front, you can admire the Eleven-headed Kannon digitally from all angles. You’ll also spot 33 statues, symbolizing the 33 different states the Kannon Bodhisattva can transform into, creating an immersive experience that might make you feel as if you’ve entered another dimension.

Prayers and good luck charms

At Hasedera Temple, you can pray for good luck, business prosperity, health, and the fulfillment of a successful marriage.

Have your name and request written on a prayer tag, and the temple will use it to pray in front of the Goddess of Mercy every day for a year. The service costs between JPY 3,000 and JPY 10,000 per wish. As the large prayer tag remains in the temple, you’ll receive a small version as a souvenir.

For a more budget-friendly lucky charm, opt for the adorable strawberry-shaped "Negai Kanau Omamori," or the "Nagomi Mamori" lucky charm featuring a motif of the temple’s charming Jizo statue.

Be captivated by Hasedera Temple’s colorful hydrangeas

The sacred site, which extends from the foot to the middle of the lush Mount Kannon, is famous for its hydrangeas.

The best time to admire hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are in full bloom during the rainy season between June and mid-July. Be mesmerized by the many different colors and shades, ranging from pastel blue and purple to pink and white.

Explore the colorful blooms along the Hydrangea Path

Hasedera Temple has been cultivating hydrangeas since the early twentieth century, with about 2,500 hydrangeas of over 40 different types blooming simultaneously.

The narrow pathway adjacent to the Kannon Museum is known as the Hydrangea Path, offering perfect photo ops of these vibrant blooms.

Note that numbered admission tickets are occasionally distributed during peak hydrangea season, with waiting times exceeding two hours.

Admire Hasedera Temple’s graceful irises

In early June, the temple grounds are adorned with not just hydrangeas but also beautiful irises. The blooming season extends from early to mid-June, just before the hydrangeas hit their peak.

These blooms feature stunning shades of purple, white, and a mix of both. Witness the beauty of irises within a Japanese-style ambiance, with rafts peacefully floating on the pond.

Enjoy stunning views of Yuigahama Beach

From the observation platform, you can enjoy views of Yuigahama Beach in the distance. Nearby, you’ll also find Kaiko-an, a restaurant serving hearty curry dishes and a selection of Japanese sweets. Opt for a window seat and enjoy views of Kamakura’s cityscape and Yuigahama Beach.

Hasedera Temple: Access information

From Tokyo

• Tokyo Station → JR Yokosuka Line → Totsuka Station → Tokaido Main Line → Kamakura Station → Enoshima Electric Railway → Hase Station → 5-min walk → Hasedera Temple (total time: 1hr 13 mins)

• Tokyo Station → JR Yokosuka Line → Totsuka Station → Tokaido Main Line → Kamakura Station → 8-min bus ride → Hase-Kannon bus stop → 5-min walk → Hasedera Temple (total time: 1 hr 16 mins)

Get around the area with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on all JR East Lines, including access to JR Kamakura Station.

Discover Hasedera Temple

Kamakura’s Hasedera Temple is renowned for its colorful hydrangeas, with most people visiting in June and July during the peak blooming season. Make sure to explore the on-site Kannon Museum as well, where you can learn more about the temple's rich history.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.