Hase-Dera Temple (Kamakura)

When I visited Japan a few years back, I had a chance to go to Kamakura. Kamakura is about an hour on a train ride from Tokyo.  Hase-Dera temple is one of the Buddhist temples in Kamakura. The temple sits on the mountain hill surrounded by gardens and especially is  famous place for Hydrangeas.  I was lucky to be there at the time of the year that these lovely flowers are blooming. I have not seen so many Hydrangeas in one place.  There are so many kinds of Hydrangea (I believe over dozen kinds).

The entrance to the Hase-Dera Temple in Kamakura. There were quite a number of visitors on that there.  There were many young children on that day. It could be the off school season at the time as well.

The Japanese style garden at the ground level of the temple. I felt relax and at peace from the well arranged garden.

I was lucky to visit the temple when all flowers were in the blooming season.

I believe it is a Japanese tradition to wash or clean off oneself before entering a temple.

The visitors are walking up from ground level to the temple level.

Before reaching the temple level is small intermediate level.  I believe the small statues are placed by parents morning their offsprings lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.

Seeing these small smiling statues make me feel happy.

The day was very silver over casting sky. That helped shielding the heat of the sun quite a bit.

Visitors paid respect by burning candlesticks in front of the temple. Children and grown-up were so cheerful.

A young lady gracefully paid homage to Buddha stature inside. I really like the design and the craftsmanship of the donation box. It is a beautiful piece of work.

Visitors walking up from temple level to mountain view. You can see Hydrangeas were blooming along the path.  It was a long line.

I like this Hydrangea that I spot along the path. Its flowers formed in a very nice shape.

Another lovely Hydrangea.

A view of the temple from the higher level.

OK, one more picture of Hydrangeas a long the walking path. You can also see people in line down below. It was a busy day.

I spotted this statue on the way back down to the temple level again. The statue looks a bit funny with the Hydrangea.

Very beautiful temple’s roof structure.

I think I was back to the ground level now. This is another view of the garden.

Hase-Dera temple also have an underground level.  These statues were placed in the underground tunnel.

These candles were in the underground tunnel. I do not know the meaning of them.

As usual, I hope you enjoy the tour of the place. They just bring good memory to me.