Soukyu-ji, Buddhist temple in Seki, Japan
Soukyu-ji is a Buddhist temple in Seki featuring traditional wooden buildings, stone lanterns, and manicured gardens arranged according to classical Japanese design principles. The layout spreads across several connected spaces, each with its own structures and carefully tended plants.
The temple was established during the Nara period as a Tendai sect sanctuary and later transitioned to become a Zen Buddhist center. This shift in religious focus shaped the physical structures and practices visitors see today.
The temple has spaces where visitors observe daily monastic life and can watch meditation practices that have been part of this place for centuries.
The temple welcomes visitors year-round and offers guided tours to help navigate the various buildings and gardens on the grounds. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is advisable since the paths between structures and through the landscaped areas can be uneven.
The temple features a 49-meter staircase shaped like a Buddhist cross that visitors climb in complete darkness while holding a guide rope. This unusual experience is designed to evoke spiritual reflection and stands out as a memorable part of the visit.
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