Chōzen-ji, Buddhist temple in Toride, Japan.
Chōzen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Toride set within traditional gardens that include meditation halls and ceremonial spaces. The compound also contains living quarters for the monks who reside there year-round.
The temple was established as a center for Zen Buddhist practice in the region and has maintained this role through the centuries. Its development reflects the spread and deepening of Zen traditions across Japan.
The temple serves as a living center where monks and visitors gather to practice Zen meditation and participate in daily rituals together. You can observe how these traditions continue to shape the rhythm of life at the site.
The temple is open to visitors during daylight hours with parking available and clear signs marking the main entrance. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since you will walk the grounds and remove your footwear when entering traditional spaces.
The building design deliberately channels natural light into the meditation spaces to support the practice at different times of day. This thoughtful relationship between architecture and spiritual purpose is something most visitors only notice when spending quiet time indoors.
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