Sōgen-ji

Sōgen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Okayama featuring a traditional pond garden with winding pathways through carefully placed stones and seasonal plants. The garden follows a circuit design where visitors naturally walk through different scenic areas and landscaped sections.

The temple was founded in 1588 during the Tensho period as the family shrine of the Ikeda clan, who ruled the Okayama domain. This connection to the ruling family established its importance and role across centuries.

The temple maintains active meditation halls where monks practice daily, keeping Buddhist traditions alive in this space. Visitors witness these spiritual activities and see how the practice remains part of everyday life at the site.

The site is easily accessible by bus from JR Okayama Station, with a short walk from the stop to reach the grounds. The garden looks different in each season, so the experience changes depending on when you visit.

The temple carries the nickname 'Kappa-dera' after a water spirit from Japanese folklore whose tales have been told here since the Edo period. This connection to mythical beings gives the site a layer beyond its religious purpose.