Tōmyō-ji

Tomyo-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kawagoe, Japan, with meditation halls, gardens, and traditional Japanese architecture designed to support spiritual practice. The buildings feature simple, functional interiors arranged around courtyards and landscaped grounds that create spaces for sitting and quiet reflection.

The temple traces its roots to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, a tradition centered on intensive meditation practice and direct teaching from master to student. This lineage continues to shape how the community practices today.

The temple serves as a place where people practice Zen meditation together in a structured way. The community here follows traditional forms of sitting practice and chanting that have been passed down through generations.

The temple welcomes visitors interested in meditation practice, with sessions offered at regular times throughout the week. It helps to arrive prepared and wear comfortable clothing, as sitting takes place on floor mats in traditional style.

The name translates as Temple of Light, referring to a core concept of Zen practice rooted in clarity of mind. Visitors discover that this light is not something mystical, but rather the direct perception of awareness itself in daily life.

Location: Kawagoe

GPS coordinates: 35.92861,139.48478

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41