Sugimoto-dera Temple

Walk east from Wakaremichi along the Kanazawa Kaido road, and as the hills close in you will see a thatched hall high on your right. Tradition says the monk Gyoki founded the temple in 734, which is why it is called the oldest temple in Kamakura. It belongs to the Tendai school.

Highlights

• The moss-covered stone steps that lead from the Nio gate up to the Kannon hall. Green has grown over the old stones, and this view is the face of Sugimoto-dera. To protect the moss, the steps themselves are closed; you climb by a path to the side.
• The principal image is an Eleven-faced Kannon. The temple is the first of the 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites of the Bando region, and some pilgrims begin their journey here.
• The Azuma Kagami chronicle records that, when fire broke out in the Kamakura period, the principal image was carried out of the flames.

From Wakaremichi

Walk east along the Kanazawa Kaido and look for the entrance on the left side of the road. If you take the Temple Path, this is the place to start.

Opening hours, fees and closing days may change. Please check official information before you go.