When you come to Japan, you may want to go to a shrine or temple somewhere. The shrines and temples are included in the sightseeing route even when Japanese people travel domestically.
There are many people who go to shrines and temples not only for sightseeing but also when they feel uncomfortable even during their daily lives, when their feelings are irritated, or when they want to change their feelings.
Even if they are not familiar with Buddhism in their daily life, it may be an emotion unique to the Japanese that they want to put themselves in the sacred and solemn atmosphere of the temple.
This article introduces three temples that are especially recommended among the many temples and shrines in the Hokuriku region of Japan.
Zuiryuji – The only national treasure designated in Toyama Prefecture
Overwhelmed by its magnificent and elegant beauty, Zuiryuji is a building that expresses the wealth of the Kaga han 1.2 million stones.
It is the founding temple of Takaoka’s founder, Toshinaga Maeda, the second generation of the Kaga Maeda family, and is a famous temple of the Sōtō school.
Toshitsune Maeda, the third-generation owner, erected it, and in 1997, the gates, Buddha Hall, and Hodo were designated as national treasures.
In addition, the Soumon, Zendo, Daikoura, Daisado, and three corridors are designated as important cultural properties, which are highly regarded as the Zen Buddhist temple architecture in the early Edo period.
In recent years, art exhibitions, projection mapping, and music live events have been held in the precincts, and it also serves as one of Toyama’s art and culture.
On such event days, you can see Zuiryuji Temple with a different face from the usual majestic atmosphere.
By the way, there is Takaoka Daibutsu, one of Japan’s three great Buddhas in Nara and Kamakura.
When you come to Takaoka, let’s stop by the Buddha.
Information
National treasure Takaokayama Zuiryuji
35 Sekimotocho, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
0766-22-0179
Admission time / 9: 00-16: 30 (December 10-January 31 until 16:00)
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for middle and high school students, 100 yen for elementary school students
Parking / Free (about 100 regular cars, 13 buses)
HP: http://www.zuiryuji.jp/
Access
From JR “Shin Takaoka Station”
・ Walk: 15 minutes
・ Bus: Get off at the Shin-Takaoka Station No. 1 bus stop and get off at Zuiryuji Exit, a 5-minute walk
・ Car: 3 minutes
From Aino Kaze Toyama “Takaoka Station”
・ Walk: 10 minutes
・ Bus: Takaoka Station Zuiryuji Exit (South Exit) 1st bus stop ・ All buses leaving from 2 bus stop get off at “Zuiryuji Exit”, 5 minutes on foot
・ Car: 3 minutes
Notsu Expressway 10 minutes by car from Takaoka IC
15 minutes by car from Hokuriku Expressway Takaoka Tonami Smart IC
Sōji-ji – A famous temple that conveys the spirit of Zen
Copyright:石川県観光連盟
Sōji-ji was founded in 1321 by Keizan Shokin Zen Master as the main head of the Sōtō school.
The precincts were destroyed by the great fire of 1898, and Motoyama moved to Tsurumi, Kanagawa, Yokohama City in 1910.
After the reconstruction, the temple gates, Buddha Hall, etc. have been revived, and with the buildings that have been spared the disappearance, there are majestic gates, Buddha Halls, and temples made of zelkova.
If you make a reservation in advance, you can experience Zazen or eat vegetarian dishes.
The location is not very accessible, so it is not so crowded with tourists.
Sometimes stop and sit down and enjoy the silence.
Information
Sōtō school Daihonzan Sojiji Soin
1-18 Kouzen, Monzen-cho, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture
0768-42-0005
Admission time / 8: 00〜17: 00
Admission fee / 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school students, 200 yen for junior high school students, 150 yen for elementary school students
Group discount: 30 people or more / 360 yen per person
Parking / Free (50 private cars, 20 buses)
HP: https://noto-soin.jp/
Access
・ From JR “Kanazawa Station”, get off at the Hokutetsu Bus “Monzen Express Enjiji-mae”
・About 20 minutes by bus from Noto Railway “Anamizu Station”
・60 minutes by car from JR “Wakura Onsen Station”
・20 minutes by car from Hokuriku Expressway Noto Satoyama Kaido Anamizu IC
・About 30 minutes by car from Noto Satoyama Airport (taxi 1,000 yen / tel: 0768-22-7411)
Eiheiji – where you can experience training
“Eiheiji Temple”, which is visited by many people throughout the year, is also regarded as a two-star in the “Michelin Green Guide Japan” travel guide published in France. It is a temple that attracts attention from all over the world.
It is a dozen of zazen training held by Dugen zen master, the main head of Sōtō school.
In 1244, Dugen zen mastern changed the name of the dojo to Eiheiji when he was 47 years old and enthusiastically taught the monks.
Even today, Eiheiji Temple is said to be the toughest of Zen Buddhism, and about 200 trained monks called Unsui live their training.
If you go early in the morning at 5:00, you can participate in morning training called the morning section, and you can also participate in Zen training with overnight stays.
The grounds of 330,000 square meters are full of highlights.
As long as time permits, the seven buildings indispensable for the training called “Shichidou Garan”, as well as long corridors that are polished every morning, historical sculptures and huge pestle, and the rich nature of the seasons, Please enjoy yourself.
Information
Daihonzan Eiheiji temple
5-15 Shiei, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui Prefecture
0776-63-3102
Admission time / May-October 8: 00-17: 30
November-April 8: 30-17: 00
* Time may change depending on the circumstances.
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students, 200 yen for those who present disability certificates, free for preschoolers (experience fees such as zazen are required separately)
Please use the parking lot / nearby coin parking
HP: https://daihonzan-eiheiji.com/
Access
From JR “Fukui Station”
・ From the Echizen Railway / Katsuyama Eiheiji Line “Eiheijiguchi Station”, change to the Keifuku Bus “Eiheiji Monzen” or “Eiheiji” and get off at the last stop, a 5-minute walk (the bus ride time is about 13 minutes)
・ Approximately 30 minutes by Eiheiji Liner (Kyofuku Bus) to Eiheiji Temple
About 10 minutes by car from the Chubu Longitu Expressway “Eiheiji Sansyu IC” (about 5km)
Summary
We introduced 3 temples with plenty of charm.
The informations given here are only a part of all the attractions.
Please come and experience the splendor.
And if there are people who will guide you through the temple, ask for it without hesitation, then you will gain deeper learning.
