Makuyama Park
A park along a mountain stream below Mt Makuyama, famous for 4,000 plum trees in February and March, with a playground and a rock-climbing crag.
- 4,000 plum trees
- Playground
- Rock climbing
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Cave and stone Buddhas · on the hike
Shitodo Cave
A dark, mossy cave lined with more than twenty stone Buddhas, where Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have hidden after losing a battle in 1180.
- Stone Buddhas
- Yoritomo legend
- On the Shiroyama hike
About Shitodo Cave
In 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who would go on to found the Kamakura shogunate, lost the battle of Ishibashiyama and fled into these hills. Local tradition says he hid in this cave.
Today a path of stone lanterns leads to a natural cave where more than twenty stone Kannon statues sit among the moss, with spring water trickling past. It stays cool and dim even on a summer afternoon. Most people reach it on the Shiroyama hike; by car, park at Tsubakidai and walk down about 15 minutes.
Photos
Find Shitodo Cave
Kajiya, Yugawara
Plan your visit
Hours and prices change with the season. The official page has today's details.
More things to do
Shiroyama hiking trail
A loop from the station over Mt Shiroyama, past an 800-year-old juniper, legendary rocks, castle ruins and Shitodo Cave, back down to Gosho Shrine.
- 13.2 km loop
- Views of Sagami Bay
- Starts at the station
Hoshigayama Park Satsuki-no-sato
A hilltop park that turns pink with 50,000 satsuki azaleas in late May and early June, looking out over Sagami Bay and the Manazuru peninsula.
- 50,000 azaleas
- Sea views
- Free parking