Shōfuku-ji, Buddhist temple in Nagasaki, Japan.
Shōfuku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Nagasaki featuring traditional Japanese architecture with curved roofs, carved window frames, and wooden panel doors. The grounds contain multiple buildings arranged around courtyards, with pathways connecting various garden areas and prayer spaces.
Founded in 1677, the temple became an important center for Zen teachings in the Nagasaki region during the early modern period. Its architecture and growth reflect the consolidation of organized Buddhism under the Tokugawa shogunate.
The temple serves as an active place where practitioners engage in meditation and ritual observances throughout the year. The layout and ornamentation reflect Zen principles that shape how visitors move through and experience each space.
The grounds are fairly easy to walk through, with clear pathways leading from the entrance through all areas and accessible to visitors with varying mobility levels. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, as you will need to remove them to enter certain interior spaces.
The grounds feature a gourd-shaped pond called Musen-ike, which has an unusual form that was deliberately designed as part of the garden composition. This distinctive water feature creates an unexpected visual element that many visitors overlook on their first visit.
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