Meigetsuin Temple (明月院) is a temple of the Rinzai Zen Sect founded in 1160 in Kamakura. It is also known as Ajisaidera ("Hydrangea Temple") because hydrangeas bloom in abundance on the temple grounds during the rainy season around June. 95% of the hydrangeas here are of the Hime Ajisai ("Princess Hydrangea") variety, which are colored blue.

The temple was originally a repose built by a son in memory of his father who had died in the struggle for power between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the late Heian Period (794-1185). It later became part of a larger temple complex called Zenkoji, which was abolished during anti-Buddhist movements soon after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, leaving only Meigetsuin to remain as an individual temple today.

In the back of Meigetsuin's lush temple grounds stands the main hall (Hojo). The building features a nice circular window, which frames the scenery of the inner garden behind it. The inner garden is known for its irises and is open to visitors only during two periods of about two weeks per year: in June when the irises are in bloom, and in late November/early December when the autumn colors are at their best. An additional admission fee applies.

Also of interest is the founder's hall (Soyudo), a thatched roof building that enshrines the temple's founder and stores mortuary tablets of the succeeding head priests. Next to the hall is a cave (yagura) that was dug into the side of the hill many centuries ago. The cave served as a tomb and is among the largest of multiple such caves found in the hills around Kamakura.

Due to the temple's connection to the moon (Meigetsu literally means "bright moon"; and phonetically can also mean "harvest moon"), rabbits are associated with it in relation to the Japanese folklore of a rabbit pounding a rice cake on the moon. Accordingly, rabbit designs are found on some of the temple's decorations, while a few real rabbits are kept in cages.

Getting there and around

Meigetsuin can be reached in a ten minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station.

How to get to and around Kamakura

Hours and Fees

Hours

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Admission

Hotels around Kamakura

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    • Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura
      Luxury
      Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura is located in Kamakura, within 20 km of Sankeien and 21 km of Yokohama Marine Tower. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. Guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Every room comes with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with city views. At the hotel each room has bed linen and towels. Guests at Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 40 km from Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura.
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    • CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED
      Budget-friendly
      Situated within 600 metres of Yuigahama Beach and 1.2 km of Zaimokuza Beach, CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kamakura. This 2-star guest house offers full-day security and luggage storage space. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km away and Nissan Stadium is 31 km from the guest house. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also boast free WiFi. At the guest house, each unit includes bed linen and towels. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from the guest house, while Sankeien is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED.
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    • Guest House Kamejikan -turtle time-
      Budget-friendly
      Just 250 metres from Zaimokuza Beach, Guest House Kamejikan -turtle time- is 1.5 km from JR Kamakura Train Station. It offers simple non-smoking Japanese rooms and dormitory-style accommodation with free WiFi and shared showers. Guests at Kamejikan Guest House can sleep in a bunk bed in a dormitory room, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. All rooms are air-conditioned. Toilets are shared. Built 92 years ago as a family residence, Kamejikan is about 2 km from both the Kamakura Daibutsu Buddha Statue and Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine. Bicycle rental is offered. A shared-use fridge, free-use PC and free coffee/tea are available at the lounge, and a coin launderette is available. The shared showers are open 24/7. Bodyboards and yukata robes can be rented. Breakfast can be served with an advance reservation.
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    • BIRD HOTEL
      Mid-range
      Located 400 metres from Yuigahama Beach, BIRD HOTEL offers 3-star accommodation in Kamakura and features a garden, a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a sun terrace, this property is situated near attractions such as Zaimokuza Beach. Free WiFi and room service are provided. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Each room is fitted with air conditioning, a desk and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at BIRD HOTEL have a balcony. At the accommodation all rooms have bed linen and towels. An ? la carte, continental or American breakfast is available daily at the property. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from BIRD HOTEL, while Sankeien is 22 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 42 km from the property.
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    • Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kamakura, just 300 metres from Yuigahama Beach, Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji provides beachfront accommodation with a garden, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The 2-star guest house features garden views and is 1.4 km from Zaimokuza Beach. The guest house has facilities for disabled guests. Certain units in the guest house have private entrance and are equipped with desk and dressing room. Units are complete with a shared bathroom, while some units at the guest house also offer a seating area. At the guest house, some units are soundproof. Guests at the guest house can make the most of yoga classes offered on-site. Guests at Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kamakura, like cycling and hiking. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Sankeien is 23 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 43 km from Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji.
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    • kamakura seizan
      Luxury
      Kamakura seizan features a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Kamakura. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.5 km from Yuigahama Beach. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. An ? la carte breakfast is available daily at kamakura seizan. Zaimokuza Beach is 1.6 km from the accommodation, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 1.2 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 40 km from kamakura seizan.
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    • Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura
      Mid-range
      Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura is set in Kamakura, 21 km from Sankeien and 22 km from Yokohama Marine Tower. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always on hand to help. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 41 km from Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura.
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    • guesthouse SHIBAFU
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Kamakura, 600 metres from Yuigahama Beach and 1.3 km from Zaimokuza Beach, guesthouse SHIBAFU offers a garden and air conditioning. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km away and Nissan Stadium is 32 km from the guest house. Units have a kettle, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, while some rooms also boast a terrace and some have garden views. At the guest house, each unit has bed linen and towels. A modern restaurant, coffee shop and bar can be found on-site. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from the guest house, while Sankeien is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from guesthouse SHIBAFU.
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    • WeBase KAMAKURA
      Luxury
      WeBase Kamakura is a resort hotel and restaurant in the ancient capital of Kamakura, one minute from the Shonan sea and one hour from the city. WeBase Kamakura is a 3 minutes walk from Yuigahama Station and there are many tourist attractions within walking distance, such as the Kamakura Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and Kamakura Komachi Street. There are 8 sophisticated guest room types with high ceilings and a total of 22 guest rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available. We offer a breakfast course that includes sparkling wine, a choice of two types of galettes, a salad with plenty of Kamakura vegetables, amuse-bouche, and soup. Enjoy a luxurious breakfast that starts with sparkling wine and freshly baked galette, grilled right in front of you. There is a large communal bath with a sauna which offers a self Loyly style sauna. At our on-site restaurant, "Restaurant Co," we provide a fusion of teppanyaki and Italian cuisine that allows you to enjoy the seasonal flavors of local Kamakura with all your senses. Savor modern Italian cuisine incorporating teppanyaki techniques, along with wine pairings. There is also a kids' menu for children of elementary school age and younger.
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    • Kiyaza Kamakura Resort
      Budget-friendly
      Providing free WiFi, Kiyaza Kamakura Resort is situated in Kamakura, 2.3 km from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and 1.7 km from Hasedera Temple. Among the various facilities are a garden, a terrace, as well as a bar. Great Buddha is 2.1 km from the guest house, while Zeniarai Benzaiten is 2.6 km away. Tokyo Haneda International Airport is 55 km from the property.
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