Nōgo-ji Temple, Buddhist temple in Kumagaya, Japan
Nōgo-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school in Kumagaya, a city in northern Saitama, Japan. The grounds hold a main hall, a bell tower, and several older wooden structures with gently curved roofs.
The temple is said to have been founded in 743, making it one of the oldest religious sites in the region. The current main building dates from the early 19th century, after earlier structures were destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries.
The temple is reachable by bus from Kumagaya Station, about a 20-minute ride followed by a short walk. In June during the hydrangea season, a shuttle bus runs from Kagohara Station and a small entry fee applies.
The ceiling inside the gate is painted with animals, birds, and flowers, a detail many visitors only notice when they look up carefully. In June, around 800 hydrangea bushes from roughly 50 varieties bloom on the grounds, which is why the temple is also known locally as Ajisai Dera, the hydrangea temple.
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