Myohonji Temple

Myohon-ji, set in a hidden valley of Kamakura, is one of the oldest Nichiren temples in Japan, founded in 1260 by the nobleman Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto. It rises on the former estate of the Hiki clan, almost wiped out by the Hojo regency in 1203, and is regarded partly as a temple of atonement for that family. The mighty 19th-century Soshido hall, with its enormous sweeping roof, ranks among the largest wooden structures in Kamakura. Visitors climb a shaded flight of stone steps from the busy station district and find themselves in the half-light of a cedar-filled ravine. Cherry trees bloom before the hall in spring; ferns close over the path in summer. The temple stays markedly quieter than its famous neighbours.