My Camera Almost Died at Japan’s Most Beautiful Temple | Rainy Day in Kamakura

My Camera Almost Died at Japan’s Most Beautiful Temple | Rainy Day in Kamakura

Hello everyone, This is Yuriko. Today, I’d like to share with you “How to enjoy a hydrangea temple because it’s a rainy day.” Let’s get started. Actually, since last night, Typhoon No. 2 has formed, so the weather has been pretty unstable. By the way, typhoons are numbered in order of appearance from January 1st each year, with the first one being Typhoon No. 1, and so on. The numbers go up based on the order in which they form. By the way, this mailbox here is one of my favorites. Typhoons also have names, and for Typhoon No. 2, Malaysia proposed the name “Sepat,” and that’s the one that was chosen. Right now, it’s 8:15 a.m. Hasedera Temple opens at 8:00, so I’m hoping there still aren’t many people yet. One of the reasons I chose to visit Hasedera on a rainy day was to avoid the crowds. When there’s a typhoon warning, I figure not many people would bother coming to Kamakura just to see hydrangeas. Please, everyone—just stay home! With that little wish in my heart, I head toward Hasedera. There are already a few people walking along the main road. I walk briskly toward my destination. I only see one parent and child ahead of me. Now that I’ve arrived at Hasedera, I’m going to get my ticket. They have both a staffed window and a ticket machine, so you can choose whichever you like. I tend to go for the ticket machine in situations like this, How about you? Which do you prefer? It’s great that you can use Suica or a credit card. The entrance fee is 400 yen. Actually, there’s a separate ticket needed to view the hydrangeas, but first, let’s get the main entrance ticket. Once you have your ticket, let’s head inside right away. As I enter, I see a beautiful water lily in bloom… And here is a lotus flower. I’m now going to head up the stairs quickly to buy the hydrangea ticket. Gotta pick up the pace! Look! A cute little Jizo statue along the way. Let’s give a little greeting and keep climbing. There are so many stairs again today! This is the swastika-shaped pond, “Manji-ike.” I’ll come back here later, but since I’m in a bit of a rush right now, I’ll go ahead and move on for now. I’m super motivated to see hydrangeas today, so I’m climbing the stairs at lightning speed! The hydrangea ticket booth is just up ahead! They’re still selling same-day tickets for 8:20, and I got one safely. Wow, it’s amazing here. There are a lot of stairs, so please be careful. Thank you! (This is) my second time today… Oh, really? Yes! Is this your second visit this season? Yes, this season! (laughs) I think it’s coming to an end soon. Last time I came, it was only about 60% in bloom… Oh, I see. Yeah. Thank you! Alright, I’ve safely made it inside! It’s raining pretty heavily now, so holding a gimbal in one hand, an umbrella, and filming with a camera while also shooting with my DSLR—it’s going to be tough. And now, my favorite thing—stairs! By the way, I’ve come all this way without explaining anything about Hasedera, so let me tell you a little now. The official name is Kaikōzan Jishōin Hasedera. This temple is said to have been built in the year 736, during the Nara period. During the reign of Emperor Shōmu, it was designated as an imperial prayer temple. It’s one of the oldest and most famous temples in Kamakura. Its principal object of worship is the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva. As a wooden statue, it’s one of the largest in Japan, standing at 9.18 meters tall. Hasedera is also the fourth stop on the Bandō 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, and has long been revered as a major Kannon temple in eastern Japan. It has a long history of devotion. The temple grounds spread from the base to the middle of the lush Mount Kannon, and flowers bloom here throughout all four seasons. Because of this, it’s often called “The Western Paradise of Kamakura.” Seasonal flowers and trees bring healing to all who visit. There are many halls on the temple grounds, and even an observation deck where you can look out over the town of Kamakura and the sea. If you follow the scenic walking path, you’ll see Sagami Bay in the distance, and in the rainy season, 2,500 hydrangea plants from 40 varieties bloom in full glory. It’s one of Kamakura’s most beautiful and famous sights. By the way, why are there so many hydrangeas planted here? The reason isn’t just because they’re beautiful. Because the temple is built into a mountainside, there are frequent issues with soil erosion. To help prevent that, hydrangeas were planted. Compared to other flowers like roses, hydrangeas have longer roots that spread out more easily. By planting hydrangeas, the roots help keep the soil from washing away when there’s heavy rain, especially on slopes. Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which made it a natural fortress— this is why Minamoto no Yoritomo chose it as the base for his shogunate. But because of that mountainous terrain, there were also frequent landslides. And so, hydrangeas have helped protect Kamakura’s steep landscapes for generations. Since I was a child, hydrangeas have always been a normal part of my life, so it always seemed strange to me that tens of thousands of people come here just to see them. But as I got older, I realized hydrangeas don’t grow wild everywhere. And I came to love them even more. But every year in July, hydrangeas are cut back at many temples. That’s because even after they bloom, the flowers remain for a long time, and if left as they are, airflow around the plant worsens, raising the risk of pests and disease. Also, if the old flowers remain, the plant has a harder time putting energy into producing new flower buds. That’s why it’s important to properly prune them after the blooming season ends. This care keeps the plant healthy and allows it to bloom beautifully again the following year. There’s actually a rule to how hydrangeas bloom. Branches that grow this year won’t produce flowers the following year. The flower buds form at the base of last year’s growth, just below this year’s new branches. So in essence, hydrangea flowers take two years to bloom on a branch. After filming, I started getting hungry. But it’s still early, and most cafes aren’t open yet. There’s something I’ve been wanting to try for a while— mochi-mochi (chewy) dango from a restaurant inside the Hasedera grounds. That’s what I want to eat today. But it looks like they open at 10:00. So I’ll stroll around the grounds a bit while I wait. Just a few minutes ago it was pouring, but now the rain has stopped and some sunshine is breaking through. The weather changed so suddenly! Where did that torrential rain from earlier even go? Sadly, there’s no rainbow… But I’m happy I don’t need my umbrella anymore. Heading down the stairs to capture some shots I missed earlier because of the rain. But it’s starting to drizzle again, so maybe I do need that umbrella after all. By the way, there’s a cave here at Hasedera called “Benten-kutsu.” It’s known as a cave that the monk Kōbō Daishi once visited. The wall carvings inside—of Benzaiten with two arms and sixteen child deities— were donated in 1967 (Showa 42), and have since been worshipped as “Shusse Benzaiten,” or the goddess of success. Inside the cave, Benzaiten, Ugajin, and the Sixteen Children are enshrined, and it’s said they bring blessings for good luck, wealth, academic success, and more. Many people come here to pray for these blessings. Right after entering, you can pick up a candle for offering. You write your name on it. Then choose the deity you wish to pray to, offer your candle, and make a heartfelt wish. Here she is—Benzaiten. Originally, she was Sarasvati, the Indian goddess of water and rivers. She’s worshipped in Japan as a goddess of abundant harvests, music, and learning. The three most famous Benzaiten shrines in Japan are Enoshima, Chikubushima, and Miyajima. All of them are on islands surrounded by water, reinforcing her association with it. The Benzaiten Hall at Hasedera is also located by the water. By the way, Enoshima also has a cave, so I’d love to guide you there another time. This Benten-kutsu cave— it almost feels like you’re exploring a dungeon! It’s amazing to think that this cave has been here for over a thousand years. At the very back is a carving of Benzaiten on the rock wall. And so many “Hōnō Benzaiten” (offering plaques). I checked my wallet to see if I had enough money to buy one, but sadly, I didn’t have the right change… so I gave up. Time to head toward the exit. I’m glad I made it out safely! The sun is shining for the first time in a while—so bright! Time to open up the umbrella again. I found something interesting! This is called a “shishi-odoshi.” It’s a device originally made to scare away deer, boars, and other wild animals. Water fills the bamboo tube, which then tips and strikes a stone to make a sound. There’s also something else fun you can do here at Hasedera— You can try shakyo (sutra copying) or shabutsu (tracing Buddha images) right here. They offer it daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s full of kanji, so it can be challenging—but if you’re interested, definitely give it a try! It’s such a lush, beautiful garden. And I even found a small waterfall! The koi and the water lilies are so pretty. Now that the sun’s come out, it’s starting to feel a bit hot. This is the “Fureai Kannon” statue. It’s said that anyone can touch it, pray, and receive blessings. It was actually created so that even visually impaired visitors could feel the statue of the Buddha with their hands. Alright, time to climb the stairs again! It’s a bit easier than before now that I don’t need to hold an umbrella. But since the rain has stopped, more people are starting to arrive. We’ve come back to the “Manji Pond” again. It feels like the flowers are arranged even more beautifully than before. Maybe the gardeners worked hard even during the typhoon to make it look nice. This is the “Mizukake Jizō” (Water-pouring Jizō). This part might be a little somber… Hasedera is also known for its ceremonies for mizuko kuyo (memorial services for lost children). Mizuko refers to babies who were miscarried, stillborn, or aborted— those who never had the chance to be born into this world. This area is called the “Thousand Jizō” statues. There’s a legend that says when people wishing for children are blessed with one, they offer a new Jizō statue in gratitude—leading to the many statues you see here. That’s how it came to be called the “Thousand Jizō.” Right now, it’s 9:50 a.m. Which means… it’s almost time for dango! This is Kaikōan, the café. As I stepped inside and looked at the menu, I saw something called the “Daikichi Dango Set.” It sounds super lucky—so that’s what I chose. I just realized—I haven’t had any water! Excuse me, may I order? Yes, just a moment, please. Certainly. I’ll have the set with matcha and dango, please. Would you like hot or cold matcha? Hot matcha, please. Certainly. Thank you very much. Like I’ve said before— no matter how hot the weather, I always prefer something warm to drink. Here’s the view from the window. You can see the bamboo grove, the sea, and the city—what a view. Apparently, this spot was also featured in the film Our Little Sister, about 10 years ago. I heard this place was one of the filming locations. Kamakura feels so peaceful today, too. Time for another round of hydration! I’d been so focused on filming photos and videos that I hadn’t had a drink in hours. This view is so pretty—I want to capture it on my phone too. I’ve been to Hasedera a few times, but I didn’t know this café was so lovely. And here it is! The freshly made Daikichi dango and matcha set. Kamakura is a tourist spot, so prices tend to be high— but I think 900 yen for this is actually pretty reasonable. Though if you think about it, that’s about 50 yen per dango ball. But each dango is huge—unlike anything I’ve seen before! Alright, time to eat the first 50-yen bite! Wait a sec— it’s insanely hot! Like, hotter than I expected! I guess since the café opens at 10, these must be fresh out of the kitchen. Compared to your average mitarashi-style glaze, this one isn’t as sweet— and it has a unique savory kick that might be the secret to its flavor. I take a sip of matcha and let myself relax. Even the color of the mitarashi sauce is beautiful. Before I knew it, I’d already eaten 150 yen worth of dango! It’s quite a hefty portion, but after walking so much around the temple, I was starving. The matcha has just the right amount of bitterness—it’s easy to drink. And since I woke up early, the caffeine is really hitting the spot. There are lots of etiquette rules for drinking matcha, but for now, I just make sure to drink all the foam, too. I’m feeling really thirsty today. But wow—this view from the window… I feel like I came here today just to visit this café. With that thought in mind, I ended up finishing all the dango in no time. When I stepped outside the café, there were so many people walking around with sun umbrellas. How did you enjoy today’s tour? Thank you so much for watching until the end. If you’re interested in a private tour, feel free to contact me by email. See you in the next video!

In this episode, I’ll take you to a beautiful **kamakura hydrangea spot** to appreciate the **hydrangea** and **nature**. Enjoy the stunning **japanese flower** arrangements and the serene atmosphere. It’s the perfect destination for **japan travel** and relaxation.

This channel creates videos for people who are studying Japanese or who love Japanese culture.
In this episode, I’ll show you How to Enjoy a Hydrangea Temple on a Rainy Day.

🍃Visited Place🍃

💐Hasedera Temple🌊
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
Sect: Independent, affiliated with the Jōdo school
Established: Year 736
Main Deity: Eleven-Headed Kannon (Goddess of Mercy)
Phone: +81-467-22-6300
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🍡Kaikōan (Temple Café)🍵
Located within: Hasedera Temple
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
Phone: +81-467-22-6300
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you’re interested, I also offer private tours.
Feel free to send me a DM for more details!