Sugimoto-dera Temple was established in the year 734 by priest Gyoki. He carved a statue of an 11-faced kannon and enshrined it at the temple. In 851 priest Ennin also made an 11-faced kannon, and in 985 priest Genshin worked on yet another 11-faced kannon and enshrined it, as well. According to the legend, these three kannon statues escaped from a huge fire 750 years ago. They moved to and sat under a cedar tree in the temple grounds (by themselves) in order to protect themselves. After that, people called this temple Sugimoto-dera (literally, “under the cedar tree”).
- 1 min read
Kamakura Sugimoto-dera Temple
The oldest temple in Kamakura with a mysterious legend
![Tomoko Kamishima Tomoko Kamishima](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/41/240x240!/565e87c867ba810c868b60cf.jpg)
Community writer
![Guardian God of the temple gate](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24322/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24322.jpg)
Guardian God of the temple gate
![White flowers of the plum tree](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24326/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24326.jpg)
White flowers of the plum tree
![Lots of banners flanking the approach](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24316/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24316.jpg)
Lots of banners flanking the approach
![The front of the main hall](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24319/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24319.jpg)
The front of the main hall
![The eyes of the Guardian God are made of crystal](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24323/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24323.jpg)
The eyes of the Guardian God are made of crystal
![Pink plum blossoms are blooming](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24317/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24317.jpg)
Pink plum blossoms are blooming
![Huge numbers of five-ring stone pagodas](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24318/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24318.jpg)
Huge numbers of five-ring stone pagodas
![Daffodil flowers](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24321/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24321.jpg)
Daffodil flowers
![The main hall (taking photos inside is prohibited)](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24320/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24320.jpg)
The main hall (taking photos inside is prohibited)
![From above the temple: a nice view of Mt. Fuji](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24324/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24324.jpg)
From above the temple: a nice view of Mt. Fuji
![Weeping plum blossoms in front of Benten-do](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3901-24325/1000/kanagawa-kamakura-sugimoto-dera-temple-24325.jpg)
Weeping plum blossoms in front of Benten-do
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