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List of Buddhist temples in Japan

Head Temple Sojiji

Founder’s Hall or Taisodo
Founder’s Hall or Taisodo Soto Zen has two head temples. One is the Eiheiji; the other the Sojiji.The priest Keizan Zenji (1227–1325) was head of the temple Morookaji,in modern Ishikawa Prefecture. In 1321, he renamed the temple the Shogaku-zan Sojiji. When this Sojiji burned down during the Meiji period (1867–1912), it was relocated in Yokohama, where it is today.

Main gate, or sanmon
Main gate, or sanmon Standing at the seaway entry to the country in a place convenient to various means of transportation, the Sojiji is proud to be an important international Zen training ground. Putting the teachings of Keizan Zenji into practice, it is accessible for employee-training courses and zazen meditation sessions.

Keizan Zenji was deeply involved in education. Carrying on his tradition, the Sojiji has established an institution called the Soji Gakuen. Large numbers of young people study at the Soji Gakuen schools, the humane educational policies of which are based on the Zen spirit and perpetrate the teachings of Keizan Zenji.

Regularly conducted prayers at the Sojiji
Regularly conducted prayers at the Sojiji Novice monks begging for alms
Novice monks begging for alms

"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 Sojiji

■ Location
With a site area of 190,000 square meters, the Sojiji is one of the most spacious temples in the entire Kanto area. It is a seven-minute walk from Tsurumi Station in Yokohama, a 40 minute train ride from Tokyo, and about three and a half hours by train from Osaka.

Address: 2-1-1, Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 230-0063, Japan
Phone: +81(45)581-6021
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<  Access to Sojiji (all times approximate)  >
  • 1. By train
    17 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Tsurumi Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line
  • 10 minutes from Yokohama Station to Tsurumi Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line
  • 20 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Tsurumi Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line
  • 5-7 minutes walk from the West Exit of Tsurumi Station
  • 2. By car
    From Yokohama: 4 minutes (2km) from the Namamugi turnoff of the Yokohane Highway
  • From Tokyo: 5 minutes (2.5km) from the Shioiri turnoff of the Yokohane Highway