Meigetsu-in Temple, Yokohama

Meigetsuin Temple, established in 1160 in Kamakura as part of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism tradition, is often called "Hydrangea Temple" due to the vast numbers of hydrangeas that flower there in June's rainy season. Remarkably, 95% of these hydrangeas are the 'Princess Hydrangea' type, notable for their blue color.

This temple was built by a son to honor his father, who had died amid the power struggles between the Taira and Minamoto families during the late Heian Era (794-1185). It was once part of Zenkoji, a larger temple complex that was dismantled during the anti-Buddhist campaigns shortly after Japan's Meiji Restoration in 1868. Today, Meigetsuin stands alone from that original complex.

At the rear of Meigetsuin, surrounded by greenery, is the main hall (Hojo) with a distinctive round window that beautifully showcases the garden behind it. This garden, famous for its irises, opens to the public for about two weeks twice a year: once when the irises bloom in June and again in late November or early December to display the fall foliage. Visiting during these times requires an extra fee.

Another key feature is the founder's hall (Soyudo), characterized by its thatched roof. It honors the temple's founder and holds the memorial tablets of past head priests. Adjacent to this building is a cave carved into a hillside centuries ago, used as a tomb and one of the many such caves in Kamakura's surrounding hills.

The temple has a thematic connection to the moon, which is reflected in its name "Meigetsu," meaning "bright moon" or "harvest moon." This association extends to Japanese folklore, where a rabbit is said to pound rice cakes on the moon, leading to rabbit motifs in the temple's decor and the presence of real rabbits kept on the grounds.