Shomyo-ji

chelsea rose 2 months ago

The grounds at Shomyoji are very pretty. The bathrooms near the front are accessible and views of the lake and bridge are very nice. There are trails that I would like to go back and visit on another day with more time.

Jeremiah Stanley 2 years ago

A hidden gem. Serene and tranquil. Get bread or rice crackers to feed the fish. Can pet and feed the cats if you are lucky. And there's a short hike to the hilltop and down which can be done in less than an hour. Best visited during Sakura and autumn for the colors. But it's beautiful anytime of the year.

Daisei Iketani (Pix4Japan) 2 years ago

Shomyo-ji Temple located in Kanazawa Ward of Yokohama (next to the ancient capital of Kamakura) was established during the mid-13th century. The current site was originally the personal property of a Shogun who reigned over Japan during the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). The temple compound originally included a total of 7 structures including a pagoda. After the Kamakura Shogunate fell to a warlord loyal to the emperor, chaos ensued as the capital in nearby Kamakura moved back to Kyoto. The status and upkeep of Shomyo-ji Temple declined after the defeat of the Shogun who was their main benefactor. In fact, the Shogun's defeat was so bad that about 870 of his samurai warriors committed ritual suicide. Seven hundred years later, the area of Kanazawa where the temple is located is a quiet residential neighborhood featuring an amusement park, a seaside park, fields for soccer and rugby, dog runs, marinas for private fishing boats and yachts, etc. Parts of the original compound that remain standing include the red gate, the main temple gate, the pond, the arched bridge, the flat bridge, the main hall, the temple bell and belfry, an additional hall with its thatched roof, and the tombstones of the temple clergy who have looked after the temple over the centuries. More than a decade ago, I came across this temple by chance and recently remembered how impressed I was with the arched bridge and the pond of the temple grounds. I remember how the bridge and red gate had a fresh coat of bright vermilion paint that beautifully contrasted with the green surroundings and the pond. Since I was already familiar with the layout of the temple grounds, I had a good idea as to what kind of composition that I would like to shoot. My YouTube channel, Pix4Japan, has a video with more details on this location.

Annie Sobol 3 years ago

Large area to walk around with a few hiking trails. Everything is a little spread out and it wasn’t crowded. I went during peak momiji and ginkgo color which was beautiful.

Knud Hermansen 3 years ago

Beautiful temple a short walk from the Kanazawa-bunko station. Beautiful set of bridges over the pond. I also liked the hiking trails behind the temple. They're not very well traveled and somewhat overgrown but you also have them to yourselves and they're not that long - so you can't get too lost.