Hongaku-ji Temple

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple founded in 1436 by Ichijo-bo Nichide.
• Known as Higashi Minobu because it houses a portion of Nichiren's ashes.
• Designated as a Japan Heritage site in 2016.
• Features several buildings registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties.

What to see

• The main hall which was reconstructed in 1923.
• A mountain gate relocated from the Miura Peninsula during the Meiji era.
• The grave of the famous swordsmith Okazaki Masamune.
• A bell tower containing a bronze bell dated to 1410.
• A shrine on the grounds dedicated to the deity Ebisu.

Getting there

• The temple is located a short walk from Kamakura Station.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.