All Reviews of Eiheiji Temple

Walking into Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of Japan's Soto Zen school, the solemn old wooden buildings intertwined with the snow-covered mountains instantly made me feel as if I had traveled through time. Founded by Zen Master Dogen in 1244, it remains the spiritual center of Soto Zen to this day. Throughout the visit, I wore the slippers thoughtfully provided by the temple and slowly admired the wooden architecture, intricate carvings, and the stunning painted ceiling in Sanshokaku Hall. Once I looked up, I could hardly bring myself to leave! The snow fell silently, and the entire temple was so peaceful that I couldn't help but slow down. No wonder it's called a “sacred place for zazen”--on this trip, it felt like even my heart grew quiet.

Ancient trees tower overhead, welcoming travelers as they arrive.

When we entered Eiheiji Temple, the quiet atmosphere all around us gradually calmed our body, mind, and spirit, and a sense of peace naturally arose.

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.