Kamakura · Kita-Kamakura

Meigetsuin

How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24

The hydrangea temple: in June thousands of blue hydrangeas fill the grounds, a shade known as "Meigetsuin blue".

Nearest station: 10 min walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Hours: 9:00–16:00. In June 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30); hours may change in hydrangea season.
Admission: High school age and up ¥500, elementary and junior high ¥300; the rear garden, when open, is ¥500 extra

What to see

Hydrangeas: several thousand bushes, at their best around mid-June (Kanagawa tourism site).
Meigetsuin yagura: said to be the largest of Kamakura's cave tombs, traditionally the grave of Uesugi Norikata.
The "window of enlightenment": a round window in the main hall framing the rear garden, which opens only in iris season and autumn-leaf season.
Kame-no-i: one of Kamakura's Ten Wells.

Seasons

Hydrangeas in mid-June, weeping cherry in early to mid-April, wintersweet from late December to early February (Kanagawa tourism site).

History

It began in 1159 as Meigetsu-an, a small hermitage built by Yamanouchi Tsunetoshi for his father, killed in the Heiji Rebellion. Around 1380 Uesugi Norikata enlarged it into the temple of Meigetsuin.

Getting there

A ten-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station.

Address：189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa

Directions in Google Maps →

Before you go

The temple has no official website we could find, so hours and prices are from the Kamakura and Kanagawa tourism sites.

Map of sights in Kamakura

Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.

Nearby sights

← Kamakura guide: trains from Tokyo

Sources

Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.

鎌倉市観光協会（明月院）（checked 2026-10-24）
神奈川県観光協会（明月院）（checked 2026-10-24）