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List of Buddhist temples in Japan

Head Temple Eiheiji

General View of the Eiheiji
General View of the Eiheiji The Soto Zen sect has two head temples. One is the Soujiji in Tsurumi,Yokohama. The other is the Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture. In 1244,Dogen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen, opened a temple called the Sanshoho Daibutsu-ji, the name of which was later changed to Kichijozan Eiheiji.This was the beginning of the Eiheiji as we know it now.

General View of the Eiheiji
Main gate, or sanmon The lofty ideal on which the temple was founded is to serve as a fundamental place of Buddhist discipline according to the correctly transmitted teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The characters ei (eternal) and hei (peaceful) in the temple name symbolize the eternal peace and happiness Buddhism brings.

With its approximately seven and a half centuries of tradition, the Eiheiji is still the scene of devout, day-and-night discipline for more than 200 priests-in-training. Suggestive of the profundity of Zen itself, ancient cryptomeria cedars and murmuring mountain streams inspire all visitors with a sense of reverence.

Chūjaku-mon Gate
Chūjaku-mon Gate Priests-in-training at work. Various tasks are assigned to novice priests as part of their discipline
Priests-in-training at work. Various tasks are assigned to novice priests as part of their discipline

"Life of Zen" Movie ::: Daihonzan Eiheiji and Daihonzan Sojiji

movie Watch a movie of the monks of and Daihonzan Eiheiji passing their days in the serene pursuit of the practice of Zen Buddhism.

To watch the movie, simply click the left-hand image and watch in a new movie player window.

" Map"::: Daihonzan Eiheiji

■ Location
The temple Eiheiji is in Eiheiji-cho, a town 10 kilometers from the city of Fukui, roughly six hours by train from Tokyo and four hours by train from Osaka. Limpid streams and the Kuzuryu-gawa river further enhance the tranquil calm of the rural setting.

Address: Shihi, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui Prefecture 910-1228, Japan
Phone: +81(776)63-3640
View large map
<  Access to Eiheiji  >
  1. Direct bus
    A direct express bus bound for Eiheiji Temple departs from Fukui Railway Station.
  2. A Keifuku bus departs from the Echizen Railway Eiheiji-guchi station. Alight at the "Eiheiji-monzen" bus stop.
  3. ** minutes by taxi from the Echizen Railway Eiheiji-guchi station.

Touring Venerable Temples of Soto Zen Buddhism in Japan