Shōmyō-ji, Buddhist temple in Kanazawa-chō, Japan
Shōmyō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kanazawa-chō that ranks among Japan's historic sites and consists of several buildings connected by well-kept pathways. The complex includes a central worship hall with a curved roof, a garden with a pond, and smaller shrines distributed among tall trees.
Hōjō Sanetoki founded this place in 1258 as a center for Buddhist studies during the Kamakura period, an era of political upheaval. In later centuries, the complex survived wars and natural disasters and was restored multiple times while preserving traditional building methods.
The temple's name derives from the concept of enlightened teaching and reflects in the daily rituals performed by monks who live and work here. Visitors can observe morning prayers on certain days, when incense smoke drifts through the open halls and bell sounds echo across the grounds.
The complex is located a few minutes' walk from Kanazawa-chō station and is well marked with signs. The path leads through a residential neighborhood and can become slippery when wet, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Two small waterfalls spring from the rear part of the grounds and are known in local legends as the male and female falls. The water flows over moss-covered rocks into the pond, where koi fish swim and visitors often toss a coin to ask for good fortune.
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