Hase-dera temple in Kamakura, Japan

Hase Temple [長谷寺; Hase-dera]
Official name:  Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera [海光山慈照院長谷寺].
It is also called Hase-kannon [長谷観音]
Located in Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
It is famous for Hydrangeas.

There was a big paper lantern written as "Hase-dera" 

at the main gate [Japanese: 山門] of Hase-dera temple.
 

 

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When we entered the main gate, 

we could see the Japanese garden.

We also found the Fureai Kannon 

(=touchable Goddess of Mercy)

[Japanese: ふれ愛観音].
 

 

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We started to go up the hill.

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We found the Nagomi Jizo [Japanese: 和み地蔵; Nagomi Jizō].
(※Jizo is a stone statue and a guardian deity of children.)
This Nagomi Jizo eases our mind and gives a good match to us.
 

 

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We kept going forward.

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We arrived at Jizo-dou hall [Japanese: 地蔵堂].
In front of Jizo-dou hall, there were many Jizos.

 

 

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We went up more.

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We finally arrived at main hall called Kannon-do hall 

[Japanese: 観音堂].

There is a 11-head Kanzeon Bosatsu known as Hase-Kannon [Japanese: 十一面観世音菩薩像/ 長谷観音] in Kannon-do hall.

There is Daikoku-dou hall /Daikokuten 

[Japanese: 大黒堂/ 大黒天] beside Kannon-do hall.

Daikokuten is the one of the Seven Gods of Fortune / Seven Lucky Gods [Japanese: 七福神; Shichifukujin].
Daikokuten is the god of wealth, commerce and trade.

the footprint of the Buddha 

[Japanese: 仏足石; Bussokuseki] in Hase-dera.
It seems to heal people who have problem in the legs. 

 

Episode of Hase-dera

Tomo&Chouchou went to the Hase-dera [長谷寺, Hase temple, officially Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera] in Kamakura, Kanagawa pref. because we wanted to see
Hydrangeas.

At the main gate of Hase-dera temple, there was a big paper lantern written as "Hase-dera". It was impressive. We took a photo in front of the paper lantern.
When we entered the main gate, we could see the beautiful Japanese garden.
We also found the Fureai Kannon (=touchable Goddess of Mercy). Tomo touched several parts of Kannon while praying to be cured.
Then we started to go up the hill and we found very adorable Jizō. Jizo faces look very kind and friendly. Jizos really eased our mind quickly. We really liked this Nagomi Jizo. Nagomi Jizo is Good much Jizo [良縁地蔵], so we prayed for it.

We kept going and then we arrived at Jizo-dou hall [地蔵堂]. In front of Jizo-dou hall, there were many Jizos. This place was very spiritual.

After keep going up, we finally arrived at main hall called "Kannon-do hall".
In Kannon-do hall, there was a 11-head Kanzeon Bosatsu known as Hase-Kannon. It was worth to see it.
Beside Kannon-do hall, there was Daikoku-dou hall [Daikokuten].
Daikokuten of Hase-dera is the one of the Seven Gods of Fortune[Seven Lucky Gods] in Enoshima, Kamakura [鎌倉江ノ島七福神]. It is believed Daikokuten god gives us better luck and success. We prayed for that.

It was the first time for Tomo&Chouchou to see the footprint of the Buddha.
It seems to heal people who have problem in the legs. Tomo prayed not to have more serious problem in legs.

There were many things to see such as Jizos, flowers and a garden in Hase-dera temple. We were really satisfied.




Relating articles

* Hydrangeas in Hase temple in Kamakura

* The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Kotoku-in