Mt. Seiryu Kichijoji Temple

Kichijoji Temple is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect located in Gunma Prefecture’s village of Kawaba. It is also known as “Hanadera,” or “flower temple.”
After passing through the irimoya (hip-and-gable) roofed temple gate, before you stands the majestic main hall. The garden, a Japanese rock garden known as “Garyu (Reclining Dragon) Garden,” is designed so as to enclose and surround the hall, and its sophisticated and beautiful design depicts a dragon scaling a waterfall. Waterfalls flow from the sides and back of the temple, offering three different perspectives of the beautiful scenery.

Within the main hall is a location where you can enjoy matcha tea and Japanese sweets, a great place to relax while looking out over the garden. The heart-shaped “Inome Window” on the north side of the room is another eye-catching point – although the window is a traditional Japanees design, it has a great modern feel to it, and it has become popular as a location to take photos of the garden framed with a heart shape to upload on social media.

During spring and summer the contrast between the flowers and greenery is stunning; during autumn the leaves are a sight to behold; and the snowy landscape in the winter is silent and beautiful. The scenery changes with the seasons, always a fresh sight even for returning visitors.