Sugimoto-dera Temple, Kamakura's oldest temple, offers a serene atmosphere steeped in history. Its mossy stone steps leading to the main hall and the historic main hall itself, dating back to the Kamakura period, are truly captivating.
Historic Sites
Shrines and Temples
National Treasure
World Heritage
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Highlights
Kamakura's Oldest Temple
Moss-covered Stone Steps Leading to the Main Hall
Main Hall Dating Back to the Kamakura Period
First Temple on Bandō Sanjūsankannon and Kamakura Sanjusankannon Pilgrimage Routes
From Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line, Enoshima Electric Railway), take the Keikyu Bus Kamakura 23 (Tachiarai bound), Kamakura 24 (Kanazawa-Hakkei Station bound), or Kamakura 36 (Highland Loop) and get off at Sugimotokannon. It's a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Alternatively, it's a 30-minute walk from Kamakura Station. Show route
Op.Hours
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cld.Days
Open every day
Fee
Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for children
Sugimoto-dera is a Tendai Buddhist temple established in the early Kamakura period, making it one of Kamakura's oldest temples. Known as one of the city's most ancient temples, it offers a captivating atmosphere of tranquility and history. Tradition holds that its founding dates back to 731 (Tenpyo 3), when Gyoki, a traveling monk, believed this site was ideal for enshrining a Kannon statue, and personally carved an eleven-headed Kannon statue to be placed there. Later, in 734 (Tenpyo 6), it is said that Empress Komyo, guided by a Kannon Bodhisattva oracle, wished for stability in the eastern provinces and commissioned the Right Minister, Fujiwara no Fu SAE, and Gyoki to construct the main hall.
Sugimoto-dera is also famous as the first temple on both the Bandō Sanjūsankannon pilgrimage route and the Kamakura Sanjusankannon pilgrimage route, attracting many worshippers. The temple grounds feature a main hall dating back to the Kamakura period and a moss-covered stone staircase leading to it, allowing visitors to leisurely explore while immersing themselves in Kamakura's history. The moss-covered stone steps are a popular photo spot, capturing the essence of Kamakura's charm.
The main hall, a gabled and thatched roof structure, retains the atmosphere of the Kamakura period. The principal image, the Eleven-headed Kannon Bodhisattva, is a hidden Buddha, unveiled only on the 1st and 18th of each month.
Sugimoto-dera is a precious place where you can experience Kamakura's history and culture. Be sure to visit when you come to Kamakura.
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