Son'ei-ji, Buddhist temple in Fukuroi, Japan
Son'ei-ji is a Buddhist temple in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, with a main gate classified as an Important Cultural Property. The grounds follow Zen architectural principles with wooden buildings, sliding doors, and a courtyard space for meditation practice.
The monk Gyōki founded the temple in 725 during the Nara period, when Buddhism was spreading across Japan. The site later became a center for the Sōtō Zen school, attracting monks from the surrounding region.
The temple maintains a strong connection to Sōtō Zen Buddhism, offering structured meditation programs and training for monks following ancient traditions.
The temple sits about 15 minutes by taxi from Fukuroi Station on the JR Tōkaidō Line. Paths wind through quiet gardens where visitors can walk and explore the surroundings at their own pace.
Over 200 cherry trees cover the grounds and form a pink roof above the paths in spring. In summer, the Ten Thousand Light Festival fills the site with lanterns that glow after sunset.
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