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Kainan Shrine

Kainan Shrine

Built in the March of the 2nd of the Jouou Era (1653), Kainan Shrine was awarded Shouichii (the highest rank given to a shrine) by the Yoshida Family of the Yoshida Shintō religion. In the 4th of the Kyouhou Era (1719), the shrine became the Souchinju (the protecting shrine) of the Miura Peninsula. In the 6th year of the Meiji Era it was designated a Gosha (a village shrine) and in the 40th year it was designated a Shinsenheihakuryokyoshin-sha (a type of village shrine that was able to receive fees/offering for the gods).

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hinata Yakushi Treasure Hall (Yakushi Nyorai, Japan’s Three Yakushi)

Hinata Yakushi Treasure Hall (Yakushi Nyorai, Japan’s Three Yakushi)

Founded by Gyoki in 716, this temple has a history of 1,300 years. Since the Middle Ages, it has been a sacred place for medicinal practitioners, and is known as Hinata Yakushi, one of the three most famous Yakushi in Japan. The temple also holds one of Japan's greatest treasure houses, with numerous statues of Buddha designated as nationally important cultural properties that bear witness to its history. It is also famous for higanbana (cluster amaryllis), which grows in clusters around Hinata Yakushi from mid-September to early October, making it a popular tourist attraction. Please come and visit Hinata Yakushi, a place rich in nature and full of attractions.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Ryuhoji (Wooden Senju-kannon)

Ryuhoji (Wooden Senju-kannon)

It was founded in the early Muromachi period as a branch temple of Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura, inheriting the remains of Kannondo and Kiyomizu-dera. The Kannondo, the Nio-mon Gate, the Nio Guardians and the ema plates are tangible cultural properties designated by Ebina City. Since it is on a hill, it has a nice view, you can have a nice view of Oyama if the weather is sunny. There are various plants in the precincts, which you can enjoy all year.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Daiyūzan Saijo-ji Temple

Daiyūzan Saijo-ji Temple

Founded in 1394 by Soto Zen monk Ryoan Emyo Zenji, this ancient temple is a Soto sect training center renowned as one of the sect's three major prayer temples. Its natural beauty changes with the seasons, with its autumn foliage illuminated at night for seasonal viewing. Prayer services, zazen meditation experiences, and shojin-ryori vegetarian cuisine are available (reservation required). Temple legends feature tengu (mountain bird-like goblins), and the main hall enshrines the world's largest iron geta (wooden clogs).A unique aspect of this temple is its larger than life geta. These wooden sandals are left out for the tengu, winged spirits, that guard the temple grounds. The shoes vary in size, and some are even as tall as humans. Be sure not to miss this popular photography spot!One of the most sacred places in the Kanto region. Zen meditation sessions are held every second and fourth Sunday and Buddhist statue carving lessons every second and fourth Saturday of the month. There are spiritual spot tours around the grounds and other events as well.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
En’no-ji Temple

En’no-ji Temple

This statue of King Enma was carved in 1250 and was initially situated on a mountain in front of the Hase Kannon. After the fated downfall of the Kamakura Shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji moved it to the left, facing the sea at the Ichino-torii gate, to mourn the departed souls of Yuhigahama, the site of the decisive battle. The temple was again damaged by a major earthquake during the Genroku era (1688-1704), and was moved to its present location. The Ten Kings of Ennoji Temple, centering on King Yama, depict the judgment of those who were condemned to hell for their sins during their lifetime. The temple is still widely worshipped as a Jizo temple.

Temples & Shrines Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA
Taya Cave, Josenji Temple

Taya Cave, Josenji Temple

Taya-no-dokutsu (Taya Caves), located within the precincts of Josen-ji Temple on Mount Taya in the Daikaku-ji School of Shingon Buddhism, is officially called Yugado, a man-made cave dug by Buddhist ascetic monks for pilgrimages to sacred sites in Shikoku, Saigoku, Bando, and Chichibu. Josenji Temple was built in the first year of the natural calendar (1532) by high monk Takatsugu, a pupil of the highest ranking priest, Kaigen, a monk of Soshoin, a 25-bo temple in Tsurugaoka. But the cave in Taya is said to have been opened even earlier, in the Kamakura period, as a place for practicing esoteric Shingon Buddhism. Since then, from time to time the cave has been expanded and now measures 570m in actual size. The cave has three levels, upper, middle, and lower, with 17 large and small spaces connected by passageways, with walls and ceilings carved with mandalas, eighteen arhats, and Buddhist stories by Doshin Karukaya.Experience a historic Buddhist meditation cave with many beautiful wall carvings and murals. Explore the cave with a candle in hand, while entering different chambers including the meditation hall for a true spiritual experience.

Temples & Shrines Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA
Amanawa Shinmei Shrine

Amanawa Shinmei Shrine

This shrine was founded in 710 (Wado 3) by famous priest Gyoki and constructed by Tokitada Someya, a powerful and rich man. It is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Minamoto no Yoriyoshi prayed to this shrine and his son, Minamoto no Yoshiie was born here. Founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo, his wife, Masako, a political leader, and their son, Minamoto no Sanetomo also worships this shrine. Here, you can find the well used for Tokimune Hojo’s (regent of the shogun) first bath and said to be Marquis Nijo’s favourite well. There is also an Man’yōshū (collection of Japanese poetry) inscription originating from the rear mountain named Mikoshiyama Mountain. This place also appears in the novel “The Sound of the Mountain” by Yasunari Kawabata.The greenery enveloping the worship hall and the straight, symbolic shrine path is lit up, creating a mystic and sublime atmosphere that beckons visitors.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Tsumada Yakushi

Tsumada Yakushi

The temple enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, known as the Buddha who saves people from illness, injury, and other suffering. In particular, the dumplings served on the temple fair, also known as "omedama-san," are said to be beneficial for eye diseases. There are many cultural assets on the temple grounds, including the Yakushido Hall, camphor tree, and bronze bell. The current Yakushido was reconstructed in 1758, but the raigo-hashira (pillars that surround the kitchen) are the same as those used when the temple was rebuilt in 1584. It is written in the Shinpen Sagami-no-Kuni Fudoki Manuscript that the earlier building was destroyed by fire during the attack on Odawara Castle by the Takeda clan in 1569. The temple is open to the public once every 60 years on the Kanoetora anniversary of the opening of the main sanctuary. The next one will be in 2070.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA