宝泰寺, Buddhist temple in Aoi-ku, Japan
Tokei-in Temple stands near JR Shizuoka Station and features a traditional garden with hundreds of plum trees alongside a central meditation hall. The grounds combine natural elements with carefully arranged stones to create a quiet space for contemplation.
The temple was founded during the early Muromachi period and later received diplomatic missions from Korea and Ryukyu while Tokugawa Ieyasu resided at nearby Sunpu Castle. These visits highlighted its role as an important religious site during an influential time in the region.
The front garden contains forty stone sculptures called Warabe Jizo, which represent protective deities of children in Japanese Buddhist tradition. These figures are scattered throughout the space and invite visitors to discover their spiritual meaning while walking the grounds.
The temple sits about 5 minutes from JR Shizuoka Station and 4 minutes from Shin-Shizuoka Station, making it easy to reach by train. The garden opens to the public during specific periods of the year, so planning your visit in advance is helpful.
The garden features a karesansui rock arrangement designed according to principles used by landscaper Kinsaku Nakane. This artful composition shows how stones and empty spaces work together to express deeper spiritual meaning.
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