称名寺Shomyoji
Photo: Wiiii / CC BY SA 2.0
Shomyoji is a bodhi temple of the Hojo clan, which was established by Sanetoki Hojo in the Kamakura Period. On the temple grounds of Shomyoji, you will see a beautiful Jodo-style garden鎌倉時代に北条実時がひらいた金沢北条氏一門の菩提寺「称名寺」。境内は朱塗りの反橋と平橋がかかる浄土式庭園が何とも美しく、阿字ヶ池のまわりにはイチョウなどの名古木が立ち並んでいる。
歌川広重の描いた金沢八景の一つ「称名の晩鐘」はここ称名寺の梵鐘の響き。残念ながら現在、その鐘の音はきくことはできない。一方、本尊に安置されている木造弥勒菩薩立像は、実時の発願によるもの。こちらは2008年に重要文化財に指定された。
四季折々の表情豊かな風景もみどころ。お正月は初詣、春には桜の花見、秋には銀杏拾いができ、彼岸花もきれいに咲く。また年に１度、薪能が上演されている。10月に行われる「金沢文庫芸術祭」も盛況だ。
駅からはバスで10分、徒歩で15分程。グリーンゾーンと呼ばれる道をたどって行くとわかりやすい。裏手の山は「称名寺市民の森」として１時間程でまわれるハイキングコースになっているので、時間があれば山頂からの眺めも楽しんでみてほしい。
称名寺
住所：横浜市金沢区金沢町212-1
拝観時間：9:00～16:30
TEL：045-701-9573
Text: Saori Hashiguchi with both vermilion-lacquered arched and flat bridges. Around the pond, there are ancient gingko trees which are about 800 years old.
The evening bell in Shomyoji was depicted for one of the ukiyo-e work Eight Views of Kanazawa made by Hiroshige. Unfortunately we cannot listen to the sound of the bell, as it is only used on the new year’s eve. They enshrines a wooden statue of Miroku Bosatsu made by a Buddha statue sculptor of the Kamakura Period, Unkei. This work was designated as an important cultural property of Japan in 2008.
Another must-see sight is the seasonal views. You will be enjoying the first shrine visit on new year day, cherry blossom viewing in spring, harvesting ginkgo nuts and viewing spider lilies in autumn. For the end and beginning of the year and seasonal occasions, you can also enjoy the lighting-up, as well as viewing a performance of the Noh stage at night once a year. It’s also good to check out the Shomyoji Art Festival held in October.
It will take 10 minutes by riding a bus from the station and additional 15 minutes of walk from the bus stop. Recommend to take a walk along the road called Green Zone. You can also enjoy a view from the top of the mountain where is located on the back of the Shomoji, taking an one-hour hiking course of the Shomyoji Shimin-no-mori.
Shomyoji
Address: 212-1 Kanazawa-cho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Tel: 045-701-9573
Text: Saori Hashiguchi
Translation: Mariko Takei
