HOMEExperience Zazen at Eishozan Ryusenji Temple
Step away from daily life
and experience zazen meditation
in an ancient Buddhist temple.
Practice Zen meditation in
a 300-year-old temple building
surrounded by nature.
Nihonmatsu’s oldest temple, established in 1460
Eishozan Ryusenji Temple
A Buddhist temple in the Soto school, Ryusenji not only provides training in Zen meditation, but also hosts a temple festival, evening cherry-blossom concert, and other community events.
Yoshinori Kogetsu, 43rd priest of Ryusenji Temple
1-81 Niitaki, Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, 964-0003
Approx. 10 min. by taxi from JR Nihonmatsu Station. Parking available.
Temple buildings open to the public 10:00–18:00
http://eishozan-ryusenji.wixsite.com/ryusenji2
Step away from daily life and experience zazen
meditation in an ancient Buddhist temple.
Experience Zazen
Learn shikantaza, or “single-minded sitting”
—the heart of zazen meditation.
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STEP 1
Gather in the main hall before the lesson begins.
The splendid decorations are a must-see.
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STEP 2
Listen to an explanation of zazen and practice the proper sitting position.
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STEP 3
Place your right foot on your left thigh, and your left foot on your right thigh. (The reverse is fine as well.)
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STEP 4
Lay your left hand over the palm of your right hand and lightly bring your thumbs together.
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STEP 5
Adjust your posture, elongating your back and breathing evenly. Your mind will naturally become calm. Do not fully close your eyes.
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STEP 6
If your posture slumps or you become sleepy and are not focusing on zazen, the priest will tap your shoulders.
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STEP 7
When he taps you, bring your palms together and lean towards him.
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STEP 8
After being tapped, bow with your palms still together before returning to your original position and continuing to meditate. The session will end with a religious discourse.
Hours：①10:00～12:00②13:00～15:00③16:00～18:00
Lesson length：Zazen 60 minutes + Shakyou 60 minutes
*Available for parties of one or more.
￥2,000～/person
Reservations and Information
「Other activities include striking the temple bell,
taking pictures in the palanquin, learning calligraphy (¥500),
and getting a stamp (¥500). Please let temple staff know what you’d like to do.
Striking the bell in the temple bell tower.
The whole family can join in striking the bell in the shorodo, or bell tower, which was rebuilt in 1993. Soak in the solemn tone unique to ancient temples.
Taking photos in a palanquin once used by local lords and ladies.
A palanquin used by local lords and ladies is kept on the temple grounds. You’ll feel like royalty in this temple treasure used by the upper classes in the Edo era (1603–1868)!
Are you looking for lots of exciting activities?
Do you want to experience the best Japan has to offer?
And do it all as a family?
You’ll find what you’re looking right here in Nihonmatsu,
where there’s always lots do, see, and learn.
Click here to download an area map！
