Jomyo-ji Temple
浄妙寺
Founded in 1188 by Ashikaga Yoshikane, Jomyo-ji ranks fifth among the Five Mountains of Kamakura. Located in the quiet, less-touristed Jomyoji area on Kamakura's east side, its lush garden and grounds are beautiful, and the attached "Stone Oven Garden Terrace" serves British-style meals and afternoon tea. A hidden gem for a graceful afternoon surrounded by flowers and greenery.
The grounds and garden
A gentle flight of stone steps leads up to the main hall, surrounded by a lush garden. Cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas during the rainy season, and autumn leaves in fall offer flowers through the seasons. The grounds also include the Kisen-an tea room, where visitors can enjoy matcha while viewing the garden (reservation required).
The Stone Oven Garden Terrace
A British-style garden restaurant, the "Stone Oven Garden Terrace," sits in a corner of the grounds. Popular for its stone-oven pizza, pasta, and afternoon tea, it lets diners eat while overlooking the garden. Enjoying lunch here followed by a leisurely walk around the grounds is a favorite route among visitors.
History
Founded as a Shingon-sect temple by Ashikaga Yoshikane, ancestor of the Ashikaga clan. It was later converted to Zen Buddhism by Yoshikane's descendant Sadauji, father of Ashikaga Takauji, becoming a temple of the Kenchoji school of Rinzai Zen. Though it holds the prestigious rank of one of the Five Mountains of Kamakura, the grounds today are well maintained and easy to visit.
Seasonal Highlights
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Cherry blossoms reach full bloom in March and April, tinting the entire grounds pale pink — best enjoyed together with lunch at the Garden Terrace.
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
Hydrangea season (June-July) brings colorful hydrangeas throughout the grounds, wrapped in deepening greenery and cool air.
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
November's autumn foliage is beautiful, with a picturesque contrast between the moss and the colored leaves.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Plum blossoms begin as early as February. A hidden-gem season to have the quiet winter grounds almost to yourself.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 45-90 minutes (longer if dining at the Garden Terrace)
- Crowd levels
- Kamakura's east side sees fewer tourists, making this a hidden gem — even on weekends you can visit at a relaxed pace
- Best time to visit
- A lunchtime visit combined with the Garden Terrace is recommended. It also pairs well with Kamakura-gu Shrine and Zuisenji Temple for an eastern Kamakura walking route.
| Address | 3-8-31 Jomyoji, Kamakura, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00-16:30 |
| Admission | Adults ¥200, elementary school students ¥100 |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 25 min walk from Kamakura Station (East Exit) (On foot, or by bus (Kama 24 route, alight at Jomyoji bus stop, 1 min walk))