Hakone Amidaji Temple

This temple is located in the middle of Mt. Tonomine, a sacred place where Buddhist asceticism was practiced for about 600 years. It is an ancient temple of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism, founded in this area in the early Edo period by Priest Tanzei, known as a Mokujiki Yugyo priest. It is also known for enshrining the mortuary tablet of Princess Kazu, who lived at the end of the Edo Period.

In the main hall, there are the statues of the Amida triad, which are designated as important cultural properties by the town, as well as a Kurohonzon (black statue of Amida) related to Princess Kazu. Every year on the fourth Sunday of October, there is a lecture at “Ojuya Grand Ritual” and a biwa performance by the chief priest in memory of Princess Kazu (1,000 yen per person, minimum 5 people, reservation required).
You can visit the Okuno-in, an iwaya (cave), where Priest Tanzei practiced asceticism, which is a 15-minute walk from the main hall.

In the precincts of the temple, hydrangeas planted one by one by Kensei Mizuno, the 38th chief priest, decorate the path leading to the main hall. About 3,000 hydrangeas will be in full bloom from mid-June to early July. The sight of purple, blue and white hydrangeas in full bloom is magnificent, and the temple is loved by many people as a famous spot for hydrangeas in Hakone.