Eiheiji Temple ‰i•½Ž›
Eihei-ji Temple is the main touristical attraction of the small Fukui prefecture.
It is one of the two head temples of the Soto sect of Buddhism. Eihei-ji was established in 1244 by Zen master Dogen Zenji (1200-1253), who studied Buddhism in China and introduced Soto Zen Buddhism to Japan.
Eihei-ji is an active monastry, with some 150 monks and a great number of visitors practicing Zen meditation, and is regarded as one of the most influential Zen temple is the world.
The temple consist of over 70 inter-connected buildings. Foreign visitors are welcome to stay and practice Zen with the monks.
A one-night stay will be charged ￥8000. Following the monks' daily routine, on the first day you will have a bath, dinner and evening meditation. Getting up at 3:30am, the second starts with a meditation session and the morning service before breakfast.
If you are not afraid of embracing this routine for a few days, the four days and three nights programme will give you a better impression of the Zen monastic life, for only ￥3000 per night.
The temple is open from 5am to 5pm, but closes frequently for varying periods of time. Daily visits cost ￥400 and include a circuit of the main buildings. Reservations are necessary for overnight stays. Detailed information is provided at the Daihonzan Eihei-ji's website.
How to get there
Eiheiji may seem like a remote place, but going there is relatively easy from Kyoto. There are numerous limited express trains to Fukui City (1h20min, ￥4,300). From there, change to the Echizen Railway Shosan Eiheiji line and get off at Eiheiji-guchi (25min, ￥440). The temple is about 10min walk from the station (turn right as you exit and go uphill).
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