松源寺

Shogenji Temple stands on elevated ground in Takamori and displays traditional Japanese Buddhist architecture with a main hall and distinctive gate. The complex is set in Nagano's Shimoina region and includes several buildings arranged around a central courtyard.

The temple was founded in 1562 by Zen master Gekko Genshi, who later served multiple terms as head priest of Myoshinji Temple. This connection to one of Zen Buddhism's major centers shaped the spiritual direction of the place from its beginning.

The temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and serves as a place where visitors can observe meditation practices and spiritual devotion in action. The open spaces and daily routines allow people to experience how this tradition shapes the rhythm of the community.

The temple welcomes visitors year-round and offers opportunities to walk through the grounds and experience the daily rhythm. It is helpful to arrive early in the day to observe meditation activities when they are most active.

The temple's distinctive gate was relocated from the residence of the 16th Tokugawa shogun Tokugawa Ietsato during the Meiji period. This unusual detail reveals how architectural elements from the Edo era were repurposed into religious spaces, adding a historical layer that many visitors overlook.