寺內種植了上百種花卉,除了冬天以外都可以欣賞到各種花卉的綻放,尤其特喜歡寺內帶著濃濃禪意的日式庭園。
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Mt. Seiryu Kichijoji Temple
Flowers Bloom Every Season and Clear Streams Flow from Waterfalls at This Ancient Temple.
Kichijoji Temple is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect located in Gunma Prefecture’s village of Kawaba. It is also known as “Hanadera,” or “flower temple.”
After passing through the irimoya (hip-and-gable) roofed temple gate, before you stands the majestic main hall. The garden, a Japanese rock garden known as “Garyu (Reclining Dragon) Garden,” is designed so as to enclose and surround the hall, and its sophisticated and beautiful design depicts a dragon scaling a waterfall. Waterfalls flow from the sides and back of the temple, offering three different perspectives of the beautiful scenery.
Within the main hall is a location where you can enjoy matcha tea and Japanese sweets, a great place to relax while looking out over the garden. The heart-shaped “Inome Window” on the north side of the room is another eye-catching point – although the window is a traditional Japanees design, it has a great modern feel to it, and it has become popular as a location to take photos of the garden framed with a heart shape to upload on social media.
During spring and summer the contrast between the flowers and greenery is stunning; during autumn the leaves are a sight to behold; and the snowy landscape in the winter is silent and beautiful. The scenery changes with the seasons, always a fresh sight even for returning visitors.
Highlights
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The temple grounds change with the seasons, and the autumn leaves and gingko trees are particularly beautiful.
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There are multiple waterfalls in the garden, including the “Seiryu Waterfall” and “Shoryu Waterfall.”
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There are many areas that make for great photos for social media, such as the heart-shaped window “Inome Window.”
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First established in 1339, the temple conveys the flow of history across time and space.
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A seated statue of Shaka Nyorai (Gautama Buddha), designated as an Important Cultural Property, is enshrined in Shaka-do Hall.
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Details
- Name in Japanese
- 青龍山 吉祥寺
- Postal Code
- 378-0115
- Address
- 860 Monzen, Kawabamura, Tonegun, Gunma
- Telephone
- 0278-52-2434
- Admission
- Adults 500 yen; elementary, junior high, and high school students 250 yen
- Hours
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9:00am-5:00pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
※Hours are subject to change depending on the season and weather. - Access
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(1) About 30 minutes by bus from the JR Joetsu Line’s Numata Station
(2) About a 10-minute drive from the Numata Interchange off the Kan-Etsu Expressway - Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)