Zenshō-ji, Buddhist temple in Gero, Japan.
Zenshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Gero, a hot spring town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, belonging to the Myōshin-ji school of Rinzai Zen. Behind the main hall, a traditional Japanese garden runs along a natural hillside, with stone lanterns and water basins placed along the paths.
The temple was founded between 1528 and 1532, and its architecture reflects influences from China's Song Dynasty. This connection shaped the way Zen Buddhism developed and spread across Japan over the following centuries.
The temple houses a painting by Sesshū depicting Bodhidharma, the monk credited with spreading Zen Buddhism. The work is kept in the main hall and is considered one of the most notable artworks in the region.
The temple is easy to reach from Gero Onsen, either by car or on foot from the train station. Once there, visitors can walk the grounds freely, as the paths are clearly laid out and easy to follow.
A cedar tree at the temple entrance is estimated to be around 1,200 years old and is listed as a National Natural Monument. Its trunk is wide enough that several people standing side by side cannot wrap their arms around it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
