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The main temple of the Soto Zen sect in Japan, surrounded by a solemn atmosphere.
The head temple of Soto Zen Buddhism in Japan. It was established by Zen Master Dogen in 1244 as a place to practice zazen. The vast site of 330,000 square meters is lined with more than 70 halls and buildings of various sizes, centering on the seven halls of the temple, where more than 100 monks practice asceticism every day.
You can visit the Seoyoten Hall, which is the shrine dedicated to Zen Master Dogen, and the Buddha Hall, which enshrines the main Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha. In particular, the "Picture Ceiling Room," a large hall covered with 230 ceiling paintings, is a must-see.
Eiheiji Temple also offers zazen classes three times a day. Zazen is an indispensable part of daily practice, and anyone can try it. You can also participate in the morning service, called the "morning lesson," and experience firsthand the reading of sutras by dozens of ascetic monks.
© Daihonzan EIHEIJI Karamon Gate surrounded by old cedars
© Daihonzan EIHEIJI The "Picture Ceiling Room" on the second floor of Sanshokaku
© Daihonzan EIHEIJI A dojo nestled in the forest with the Shichidougaran at its center.
© Daihonzan EIHEIJI The seven halls of the temple are connected by corridors and stairs.
The temple gate, also the oldest building of Eiheiji.
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As the head temple of the Soto Zen sect, this place is absolutely massive. I visited during the April holidays, and it was super crowded because of Golden Week. If you're driving, be prepared for traffic jams just to get into the parking lot. If you're on a motorcycle or bicycle, there's free parking close to the entrance. Also, there's a JPY 700 admission fee.
The monks keep the temple and its grounds spotless, and the path leading up to the temple is very clean. The ceiling paintings are all different, featuring flowers and animals, and are definitely worth seeing. You take off your shoes at the entrance, put them in a plastic bag, and carry them with you. There's a direct bus from Fukui Station. Near the bus stop, you can try soft-serve ice cream with sesame tofu flavor.
Eiheiji Temple has an atmosphere that makes you feel peaceful and calm. Coming here really helps you let go of stress and anxiety. No wonder so many people come here to experience Zen meditation.
The famous zazen meditation experience at Eiheiji is held three times a day and costs 500 JPY per person. It's best to make a reservation in advance.
The atmosphere inside the temple is very solemn. You can barely hear any conversations. The training here is known to be really strict.