Sōnei-ji, Buddhist temple in Kōnodai, Japan
Sōnei-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kōnodai featuring traditional Japanese architecture with a main gate, meditation halls, and multiple buildings arranged across the grounds. The complex includes gardens planted with hydrangeas and large trees that provide shade throughout the property.
This temple was founded in 1383 through the collaborative efforts of two prominent Buddhist monks, Rokkaku Ujiyori and Tsūgen Jakurei. The establishment during this period made it an important center in the region's Buddhist history.
The temple serves as an active place of worship where visitors can observe traditional Buddhist ceremonies and meditation practices throughout the year. The grounds remain a center where the local community gathers to maintain and participate in spiritual rituals and teachings.
The temple can be reached by bus from Fukuroi Station on the JR Tokaido line, getting off at the Hattasan stop and taking a short walk from there. The grounds are easy to navigate on foot and offer plenty of space for exploring.
From late May through June, the grounds become home to countless fireflies that create glowing displays in the evening hours throughout the gardens. This natural occurrence draws visitors seeking to witness this rare and fleeting nighttime spectacle.
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