Zenpoji Temple (Zenpoji)

A Soto Zen Buddhist temple that has long enshrined two dragon deities—Ryugu Ryudo Dairyu-o and Kaido Dairyu-nyo—and is deeply revered by those connected to the fishing industry. It is also known as one of Japan’s leading prayer sites, drawing many worshippers throughout the year.

Surrounded by lush nature, its vast grounds spanning Approx. 60,000 tsubo offer plenty to see. The temple is home to six buildings registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, including the five-story pagoda built in 1893 (Meiji 26) as the country’s only “Gyorin Issai no Kuyo-to” memorial tower, the 500 Rakan Hall built in 1855 (Ansei 2), and the Ryuoden Hall, founded in 1443 (Bunan 3) in the late Muromachi period and rebuilt in 1833 (Tenpo 4). The interior of Ryuoden Hall was opened to the public for the first time in 2016.

You’ll also find highlights throughout the grounds, including 25 large and small temple buildings and Kaibami Pond (Kaibami no Ike), a sacred site said to be the birthplace of the dragon deity. It’s also a great place to take your time strolling around the grounds and admiring these valuable cultural assets.

There are also a variety of experience plans, including zazen meditation, sutra copying and Buddhist image copying, and a one-night, two-day Zen training experience—well worth trying.