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

Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji in Hyogo, Japan

Kiyoshikōjin Seichō-ji [Japanese: 清荒神清澄寺]

Location: Takarazuka city in Hyogo, Japan
It is simply called as Kiyoshikōjin [Japanese: 清荒神].
It is also called "Kojin-san [Japanese: Kōjin-san; 荒神さん] by local people.
It is loved as the Kitchen god or the Oven god [Japanese: かまど神].
It is famous to put a talisman of Kiyoshikōjin in the kitchen.
Honzon* is Dainichi-Nyorai (=Mahāvairocana) [Japanese: 大日如来] and it's an Important Cultural Property selected by the Japanese government.
*Honzon means object of fundamental respect, veneration, or devotion.

We walked the long slope from Kiyoshikojin station 

to the Kiyoshikojin Seichoji.

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We entered the entrance called "Sanmon [Japanese: 山門]".

 

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We washed hands,

then we walked to the oratory [Japanese: Haiden; 拝殿].

On the way to the Haiden, 

there was Komainu (=stone guardian dog) [Japanese: 狛犬].
Kiyoshikojin komainu guardian dog

Tomo&Chouchou did O-mikuji (=fortune slip).
 

 

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We walked the path to the main hall [Japanese: Hondō; 本堂].

 

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We prayed at the Hondo.

We touched seated figure of Buddha.

 

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We went down the stairs from Hondo to Ichigan-Jizoson.
Ichigan-Jizoson [Japanese: 一願地蔵尊] is a Jizo which makes one wish come true.

(Jizoson=Jizo;  guardian deity of children)

 

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We went down the slope and went back to the station.

Episode of Kiyoshikojin Seichoji

TOMO&CHOUCHOU went to Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji located in Takarazuka in Hyogo. On the way from the Kiyoshikojin station to Kiyoshiojin Seichoji, there are many shops. So we enjoyed shopping on the way to Kiyoshikojin. It was the long slope to Kiyoshikojin but we didn't feel tough so much because we enjoyed shopping. We could arrive at the entrance of Kiyoshikōjin "Sanmon".
After entering and washing hands, we walked to the Haiden (=oratory, 拝殿).
On the way to the Haiden, there was Komainu (=stone guardian dog, 狛犬).
Tomo&Chouchou prayed at the Haiden [拝殿]. If we pray at Haiden, we may get the fortune, cure the disease, get conjugal harmony and get a baby. If we pray for disease elimination [除病], expiation [滅罪] and happiness [求福], we will benefit. So Tomo&Chouchou prayed strongly at the Haiden.
Nextly, Tomo&Chouchou did fortune slip called Omikuji [おみくじ] because we liked to know the lack every year. After checking Omikuji, we walked the path to the main hall / Mahavira hall called Hondō [本堂]. In front of the Hondō, there was a seated figure of Buddha called "Binzurusonjyazou" [Japanese: びんずるそんじゃぞう; 賓頭盧尊者坐像]. This statue is also called "Pindola Bharadvāja". We simply call Nadebotoke [Japanese: なでぼとけ]. If we touch the parts of the statue where we have illness, disease may be cured. So Tomo&Chouchou touched several parts while wishing the pain or illness would disappear.
Then we went down the stairs toward Ichigan-Jizoson [一願地蔵尊]. Ichigan-Jizoson is a Jizo which makes one wish come true. It is said that one wish may come true if we can sprinkle water until the head of Jizo while praying one wish.
It was difficult for Tomo to decide one wish. It was not so easy to sprinkle water until the top of the head of Ichigan-Jizoson, but we did our best and we wished.
so we hope our wishes may come true !
There are many kinds of gods in Kiyoshikōjin Seichō-ji such as god of fire, god of eyes, or god for illness, conjugal relationship or babies [夫婦円満、子宝]. We could pray our many wishes to the many gods in one place. 

Tomo&Chouchou's advice

On the slope from the Kiyoshikojin station to Kiyoshikōjin, there are about 200 shops. All shops are unique and old style. We can find many good things there. So it's very enjoyable to see and shop. The slope is long. But we can easily forget about it while shopping. We can also eat on the way. We can find a fortune teller. We can also find some white snakes at the shop. White snake is the symbol of fortune. You will surely find something interesting there.


Address
shi 1banchi, MaitaniKiyoshi, Takarazuka, Hyogo
兵庫県宝塚市米谷字清シ1番地

Transportation
By train
About 15min. on food from Kiyoshikojin station [清荒神駅] of Hankyu Takarazuka line [阪急宝塚線]
or
About 15min. on foot from Kijoshikojin station of JR Takarazuka line [JR宝塚線]

By car
Car parking is free. 380 cars are available.
Car navigation number: 0797-86-6641