Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)

Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)

Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)
4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles437 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
231
Average
43
Poor
7
Terrible
5

Emma C
Godalming, UK3,043 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Friends
My Japanese friend and I came here after lunch on a miserable Saturday mid-November. I was really impressed with the place. So much character and some lovely gardens including a bamboo forest and a zen rock garden. We spent about an hour here including a cup of tea (money goes to Unicef) in their teahouse with a lovely view through its round window, and waiting for my goshuin-cho (temple stamp) to be updated with the visit.

We really enjoyed our time here.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gcincinnati
Tokyo, Japan381 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
Look. Any other time of year, visiting Meigetsuin is a quiet affair. There aren't too many people, there's a lot of green, and it feels peaceful.

But when you go during rainy season and thus, hydrangea season, you can go super early on a Monday morning (as we did) and it will be absolutely CRAWLING with people. If that's your thing, then you'll be happy. If you're trying to go and take that perfect photo of you or your loved ones in front of the hydrangeas, it'll be hard to find a spot to do that.

That being said, everyone is there to see the flowers, and generally respectful if you ARE trying to take photos of/in front of the flowers. So it's not terrible. If you get anxious in large groups though, maybe skip it.

Also: the best part of the temple is absolutely beyond the moon window. And it's not always open. We've been there 4 or 5 times already, and this (maybe because of the hydrangeas) was the first time we could go back behind the window to walk that lovely garden. It was a small donation to get back there, and 100% worth it.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

900nippon
Tokyo, Japan533 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
6月の第一週、鎌倉の紫陽花を初めて見に行きましたが、混雑に驚きました。こんなに混んでいる鎌倉は初めて。そして、明月院も人人人。紫陽花はとても綺麗でした。
You can enjoy beautiful hydrangeas in June. However, there are many many people. Another 500yen is required to enter the special garden, besides the entrance fee.
Written June 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheWindWaker
Stuttgart, Germany522 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Solo
First of all the entry fee is 500 yen which is one of the highest in Kamakura and Japan, respectively. Second, the garden is relatively small since there are "no-entry"-sights everywhere. You can't go there, not there, not there...it is ridiculously. Third, they asked for the 500 yen despite the fact, that the closed the entire back section which is almost half of the garden. Thank you for wasting my money. Fourth, the employees there are in-polite. How about a greeting?
I traveled several time to Japan and the country has about 95% great gardens or temples (for the asked admission). This one belongs to the 5%. I strongly recommend to skip this place as Kamakura has a good selection of better temples.
If you still go despite the warning:
1. Go during bloom season (sping) as the temple benefits from the flowers
2. Ask if the back section is open (behind the house).
But it is not worth 500 yen, even if those 2 points are valid.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel S
Singapore, Singapore45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Solo
It was quite a long walk from Kita Kamakura station, but it was worth it.

Plenty of Japanese tourists streaming from the place. Tons of flowers and good photo taking opportunity!
Written June 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

meiyih
Tokyo, Japan256 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
very beautiful maples tis yr compare to the other maples in kamakura which seems to turn brwnish instead of red, the garden additional 500yen is worth the price
Written December 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark T
Ageo, Japan620 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
Meigetsuin is located near Kita Kamakura station. Please use Google Maps to get there. It takes 10 minutes from Kita Kamakura. In June. Meigetsuin is packed with tourists who want to see hydrangea. You should check the hours on the website. I think English info is available. In Japan, June is a rainy season. Please bring an umbrella.
Written June 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gabriel H
Bellaire, TX7,165 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Friends
Located close to city center, this somewhat hidden park represents an oasis of tranquility and serenity. As you enter the gate, you cross a little bridge and scend towards the garden, a few dozen feet above street level. By the time you reach the first few hydrangea bushes, you are surrounded by trees, bushes and the garden. The path meanders between the hydrangeas and other, beautiful flowers and eventually opens up to a clearing, where this well preserved Zen Buddhist temple stands, surrounded by the usual gift and souvenir shops and the sshops that sell prayers you eventually place in the appropriate places around the temple. There are a few benches, where you can rest and watch humanity pass by. One of the nicer stops in our visit.
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alice L
Tamuning, null, Guam43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Friends
Althought it is a very small area you'll find everything from bamboo groves, Buddhist temple, a dry garden, tea house, various seasonal flowers, moving water bridges and serine walking paths. This is located in the Kita-Kamakura area, south of Tokyo. If you have time there are several gardens, shrines and temples to see in this sweet quiet neighborhood.
Written May 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ted C
La Mesa, CA189 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Friends
I first visited this temple in the spring of 1964 +/- a year or so and have been back I am not sure how many times since. It is small, charming, beautiful, peaceful one of my favorite temples in all of Japan not just Kamakura.

Get a map to find it,it is located to the south of the great temple of Enkakuji, then at a marked entrance turn left and proceed up the hill. Some steps which parallel the ancient stone steps so not at all wheel chair friendly.

While it is most famous for its blue hydrangeas which bloom in late May or early June it is pleasant enough in other seasons so do not skip it just because the most famous flowers are not present. Do not skip it just because of rain, just take care when climbing the steps.

While you are there say a prayer for me with the wish that I can come back again.

Thanks
Written July 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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