2026 Shomyo-ji Temple Garden Walk: A Full-Day Course

This is a day for quietly savoring the beautiful scenery created by the pond and bridge at Shomyo-ji Temple (称名寺), a historic temple in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama. Passing through the temple gate leads to an approach lined with trees, opening onto a garden centered on a pond. The path across the vermilion-lacquered bridge toward the Main Hall has a stillness that's hard to believe is so close to the city. Time flows gently as you search for pond creatures with your child or gaze at the water's surface from the bridge. In the morning, it's recommended to first visit the Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawa Bunko museum next door to Shomyo-ji and experience medieval Kamakura-period culture before heading over. This is a historical stroll through Kanazawa Ward where you can travel between the museum and the historic temple's garden through a connecting tunnel.