Saihō-ji Temple

Welcome to Saihō-ji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple that serves as a profound testament to the intersection of human spirituality and the relentless artistry of nature. As we stand here at the threshold of this UNESCO World…

We begin our visit at the Sairai-dō, the temple's main hall or Honden. In accordance with the temple’s commitment to religious practice, every visitor is asked to participate in kito and shakyo—the chanting and tracing of…

Stepping out from the Sairai-dō, you are immediately greeted by the lower garden, centered around the Ōgonchi, or Golden Pond. This pond is shaped like the Chinese character for 'heart' or 'mind' (kokoro), a common motif in Zen…

As we ascend the gentle slope toward the upper section of the garden, the atmosphere shifts. Here, we encounter the Karesansui, or dry landscape garden. …

Nestled among the trees in the upper garden is the Shōan-dō, a tea house that carries a heavy weight of history. It was built by Sen Shōan, the son-in-law of the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyū, during the Momoyama period. …

While many visitors flock to Saihō-ji during the rainy season when the moss is at its most vibrant, a winter visit offers a rare and profound perspective. During these colder months, the temple takes a unique approach to…

As our loop through the garden concludes, we find ourselves walking back toward the Sōmon, or main outer gate. This path serves as a transition, easing you from the timeless, emerald world of the garden back into the modern…

Our journey through Saihō-ji draws to a close, yet the impressions of this 'Moss Temple' are designed to remain with you. We have traveled from the meditative focus of sutra copying in the Honden to the expansive, heart-shaped…