Hokyoji Temple 宝鏡寺

Official explanation

Founded in 1356, this quiet temple located near Higashi Katsura Station provides a calming environment in which to experience the nature and history of Tsuru. It is the largest historic structure in Tsuru as well as the oldest of those whose date of construction has been confirmed. The temple itself is composed of several beautifully constructed traditional wooden buildings. The most noteworthy is the kuri, or the temple kitchen.

Behind the temple lies Hokyoji Mountain, a popular destination for flower viewing. The slopes directly behind the main hall of the temple are covered in a field of yamabuki grass (Kerria japonica), whose bright yellow flowers bloom at the beginning of May. As this flower is rare in the area, it has been declared as a natural monument. The mountain is also covered with a number of cherry trees, making it a popular destination in the springtime as well. The view from the top is worth seeing, offering a panorama of the surrounding countryside.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.