Stupa & Magnolias

I am not sure, but those could be Japanese magnolias or yulan magnolias. Whatever it was, it was an excellent compliment to this tiered stupa.

Hase-dera is a Jodo (Pure Land) temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa with beautiful views of the beach and sea. Established in the 700's, Hase-dera was originally a Tendai temple founded by Tokudo Shonin. Tokudo is said to have been responsible for creating the large wooden Kannon which resides inside Hase-dera's Kannon-do. It is the largest wooden statue in Japan. The twin statue, also created by Tokudo (carved from the same tree) is located in Nara.