[Kawaba Village, Gunma] Zen temple Seiryuuzan Kichijoji where 100 kinds of flowers bloom in every season

What is Seiryuuzan Kichijoji?

Seiryuzan Kichijoji is a Zen temple founded in 1339, with its head temple Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura. It is the northernmost of the more than 400 temples with Kenchoji Temple as their head temple, and is also known as "Kenchoji North Gate." It features historical buildings, including the main hall built in 1675, and a beautiful garden with more than 100 types of flowers in full bloom. The temple grounds also contain ponds and waterfalls nurtured by the abundant waters of Kawaba Village, making it a place where you can enjoy both history and nature.

Access Information

• Location: 860 Monzen, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma

• Access:

[Car] Approximately 10 minutes from Numata IC on the Kan'etsu Expressway. Parking is available for 30 regular cars and 10 large buses.

【public transport】

・Get off at "Numata Station" on the JR Joetsu Line, take the Kawabamura circular bus for about 30 minutes, get off at "Kichijoji Iriguchi", then walk for 3 minutes

Mount Seiryu Kichijoji

Mount Seiryu Kichijoji

860 Monzen, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0115

Seiryuzan Kichijoji Temple in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, was founded in 1339 during the Nanboku-cho period and is a historic temple that has been watching over Kawaba Village for a long time. It is also known as the "flower temple" because more than 100 kinds of flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year within the temple grounds.

Hotels near Mount Seiryu Kichijoji

Kawaba Onsen Kayabuki No Gensen Yuyado Yutorian&Annex Yuzan

Gunma Prefecture > Kawaba

5.0 /5

Outstanding

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$217～

Fukouji

Gunma Prefecture > Numata

4.5 /5

Great

3 reviews

$224～

Come enjoy the flowers that adorn the grounds!

Seiryuuzan Kichijoji is also known as a flower temple with beautiful flowers that bloom throughout the year. From spring to autumn, you can enjoy seasonal flowers along with the beautiful natural scenery of Kawaba Village.

Flowers to enjoy in spring after the snow melts (March to June)

The flowers that can be enjoyed in the slightly late spring in snowy Kawaba Village include skunk cabbage and daffodils, which are in full bloom from late March, as well as cherry blossoms. In addition, rhododendrons, the symbolic flower of Kawaba Village, begin to bloom from early April.

Skunk cabbage (late March to late April)

Marshmallow (early April to mid-May), Daffodil (early April to mid-May), Cherry blossoms (April), Rhododendron (early April to early May), Pulsatilla cernua (early April to mid-May), Japanese laurel (mid-April to mid-May), Glaucidium aureum (late April to early May), Bleu heartwort (early April to mid-April), Epimedium (late April to early May), Azalea (mid-April to early May)

Primrose (early May to mid-June), coral tubers (early May to mid-June), Japanese iris (mid-May to early June), purple bush clover (mid-May to mid-June)

Hosta (early June to early August), Ardisia crenata (early June to late June), Trillium edulis (early June to late June), Saxifrage (early May to late June), Japanese ginger (mid-June), Hydrangea (late June to August), Daffodil daffodil (late June to August), Matsumoto sennou (late June to early July)

Flowers that brighten up Kawaba Village's refreshing summer (July to September)

Kawaba Village has a relatively cool and comfortable climate even in midsummer, with an average annual temperature of 11.0℃. Flowers that add color to the summer in Kawaba Village include hydrangeas and mountain lilies that can be enjoyed until August. Even if you miss the usual flower season, you can still enjoy them during your summer vacation. Also, be sure to check out the lotus flowers that adorn the waterside.

Lotus (early July to mid-September), Japanese lily (early July to mid-September), mountain lily (early July to early August), day lily (mid-July to late July), day lily (mid-July to late July)

Minazuki (early August to late August), Lythrum salicaria (early August to late August), Rengeshouma (early August to late August), Lesser cuckoo (late August to mid-November)

Flowers to enjoy along with the beautiful autumn leaves in the temple grounds (October to November)

From late October, the temple grounds are colored with autumn leaves. Although there are fewer varieties than in spring and summer, you can still enjoy red spider lilies and anemones.

Red spider lilies (early September to late September), monkshood (mid-September to late October), anemone (late September to mid-November)

Kichijousou (early October to late October), Azalea (mid-October to late October)

Kichijoji in winter (December to February) - the quiet temple stands out even more

You won't be able to see flowers in winter, but you can enjoy the snowy scenery of Kichijoji, which you can't experience in any other season. The cold, clear air makes the quiet temple stand out even more, giving it a dignified appearance. Also, this is the only time of year where you can see the "yukitsuri" (snow hanging) scenery, where tree branches are hung with ropes to prevent them from breaking under the weight of the snow. You can enjoy the scenery of Kawaba Village covered in deep snow.

Enjoy some matcha tea in the main hall! Don't miss the heart-shaped inome window!

Inside the main hall, there is a "Matcha-dokoro" where you can enjoy matcha tea while looking at the garden and waterfall. All the seats are chairs, so even children who have never tried tea ceremony can participate.

The window in the tea ceremony room is heart-shaped, making it a popular photo spot. This window is called an "inome window" and is a technique that has been used in temple construction since ancient times. Incidentally, "inome" is a word that means a heart shape. It is imbued with the wish to "ward off misfortune and bring in good fortune." In 2021, "Seiryuzan Kichijoji" has also been selected as a sacred place for lovers.

The historic "Mt. Seiryu Kichijoji" has been around since the Nanboku-cho period. In addition to history and culture, why not enjoy a flower stroll in the nature-rich Kawaba Village at the foot of Mt. Hotaka?

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