Rinzaiji, Buddhist temple in Toyohashi, Japan.
Rinzaiji is a Buddhist temple located at the base of the former Shizuhata Castle, displaying traditional Japanese architectural design. The grounds contain a main hall and auxiliary buildings arranged around peaceful interior courtyards.
The temple was founded in 1536 by Imagawa Ujichika for his son Yoshimoto. It later became an important educational institution where the future shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu studied.
The temple functions as an active Zen meditation center where you can observe monastic life in practice. The layout and daily rhythm reflect how Buddhism shapes the use of space and the routines within these grounds.
The temple is open to visitors only on select days in autumn, so check ahead before planning your visit. You can reach it by public transportation and the grounds are easy to explore on foot.
The temple preserves a reconstructed study room where the future shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu received his instruction. This room offers insight into how elite education unfolded within a Zen monastery setting.
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