Chiba Prefecture – Hondo-ji Temple’s 50,000 Hydrangeas

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Written by Kosu

Hondo-ji Temple, in Chiba Prefecture’s Matsudo City, is a temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism that was built in 1277.
Every year in June, around 50,000 hydrangeas of over 10 varieties beautifully bloom. Because of this, the temple is also known as the “hydrangea temple.”
It is easily accessible, with Kita-Kogane Station, the station nearest to the temple, being only 50 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
However, it truly is a well-kept-secret place, and you can be sure that you’ll be able to leisurely enjoy the flowers without worrying about crowds!

This photo is from a visit in June of 2015.

Deva Gate

This deva gate is the entrance to Hondo-ji Temple.
After paying the admission fee of 500 yen, I proceeded into the temple grounds.

Deva Gate
Deva Gate
Hydrangeas

Five-Storied Pagoda

The first thing you see as you enter the temple grounds is the five-storied pagoda.
There were lots of hydrangeas around this wide staircase!

Five-Storied Pagoda
Five-Storied Pagoda

The walking path is finished with stone paving, making it easy to walk along.
The greenery in the area is also well-maintained.

Five-Storied Pagoda
Five-Storied Pagoda

Main Temple

The main temple hall is near the five-storied pagoda. I walked around it while visiting the area.

Main Temple
Main Temple
hydrangea
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas

From the main hall, next I headed to the temple’s sanctuary and the iris pond.

Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas
hydrangea

Near the Sanctuary and Iris Pond

Every year in early June, around 5000 irises bloom around the temple’s pond. The irises are only at their peak for a few days, so it’s lucky to see both the irises and hydrangeas in one visit!
When I visited this time, I had already missed them….

Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas
hydrangea
hydrangea

Benten-do and its Surroundings

Last up are photos that I took in other areas of the temple, like Benten-do. There was even a small Jizo statue store, and it was very nice to enjoy the very temple-like atmosphere.

Hydrangeas
hydrangea
Hydrangeas

It took me about one hour to make my way around the temple grounds and get back to the entry gate.

Deva Gate
Deva Gate

The temple is close to the city, but the grounds are very quiet.
The paths are level and wide, so it’s easy to walk around.
The autumn leaves here are also beautiful around mid-to-late November.

Date Visited: June 20th, 2015

Basic information on Hondo-ji Temple

Address
63 Hiraga, Matsudo City, Chiba
Access
10 minutes on foot from the JR Joban Line’s Kita-Kogane Station
Tel
047-341-0405
Hours
8:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Closed
Open every day
Admission
Adults 500 yen, elementary school students and younger free
URL(Japanese)
http://hondoji.net/
Kosu

Author

Birth place: Tokyo

Kosu

While living outside of Japan for a while, I began appreciating what Japan has to offer.