Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens: The boundless world of Zen where all five senses are set free
Set off on a journey of the heart, drawn by historic buildings and contemporary art.
At this museum on the grounds of a Zen temple, you can gain a deeper sense of what the world of Zen is all about through a variety of experiences involving nature, historic buildings, Zen paintings, hand-copying sutras, Zazen (Seated Meditation), and so on. The temple grounds are dotted with a wide range of architectural structures including “Ichiraitei”, a reconstruction of a teahouse used by Sen no Rikyu, and main gates and halls relocated from other venerable temples. One of the must-see structures is “KOHTEI”, an art pavilion that opened to the public in 2016 and that was designed by Kyoto-based sculptor, Kohei Nawa (born 1975). The exterior resembles traditional shingled roofing and the shape of the structure is akin to a boat. Inside the structure awaits a sea of darkness, shut off from light and sound. Light emanating from gentle waves coaxes you forward in a dreamlike state, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Zen thought. (This information is as of November 2017)
The beauty of Shoshintei, the garden here, will give you mental relaxation. You can take a break for tea in the Ganku-in, and enjoy the sweetness of the “Sencha Awamochi Set” for 800 yen.
If you pay separately (adults: 800 yen, high school and university students: 600 yen, elementary and middle school students: 400 yen), you can enter the bathhouse and enjoy a bath while you are “forest bathing.” Open 10:00-16:00
Kohei Nawa, sculptor (center), and members of the creative team “SANDWICH”
Sutra copying experience (1000 yen). Advanced booking is not necessary, and you can experience sutra copying light-heartedly.
Shinshoji udon are available for 1000 yen at the Gokan-do.
Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens
- Address
- 91 Kamisanna,ooaza,Numakuma-cho,Fukuyama-shi,Hiroshima [Map]
- TEL
- +81-84-988-1111
- Open
- 9:00-17:00(Admission until 16:30)
†Bath available 10:00-16:00 - Price
- General 1,200 yen / high school & university students 900 yen / junior high school students 500 yen
- Access
- From JR Fukuyama Station, 30 minutes by bus bound for “”Miroku no Sato””, 15 minutes on foot from bus stop “”Tenjinyama””
†Forwarding from bus station (inquiries) In case of car
MAP
External links
Nearby
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Seasons
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