Welcome to the world of Zen. Zen is a state of mind where your mind is free and uninhibited, so that you can hear sparrows singing carefully or you can be surrounded by the scent of flowers without being disturbed.

Zen

Zen is a practice aimed at discovering the truths within ourselves. It originated in India with Daruma, the 28th generation disciple. It is believed that Daruma, born as a prince in South India, entered China around the 6th century, bringing with him the Zen teachings he had mastered. In China, Zen spread and unique Zen sects emerged; however, it gradually declined. Zen was later introduced to Japan and has been passed down to this day.

Zen in Japan

Zen became independent as a sect during the early Kamakura period in the 13th century. Key figures in this development were Saiei and Dogen. Zen was greatly appreciated by the Bushi (Samurai), as the spirit of Bushido (the way of the Bushi) aligned well with Zen principles. Although there is no single definition of Bushido, it is often described through seven core characteristics: Justice, Courage, Benevolence, Politeness, Truthfulness, Honor, and Loyalty. Samurai pursued Bushido throughout their lives, and Zen was an effective means to this end.

Shinshoji, the Museum of Zen and Garden

The main building of this place was built in 1977, however this temple started in 1965.  Shinshoji is a temple that provides visitors with an immersive Zen experience. It is located in Fukuyama city, Hiroshima prefecture. Visitors can experience Zen through various activities, such as sipping tea, contemplating calligraphy, tasting life-sustaining food, cleansing both body and mind, and strolling through the gardens. The vast grounds feature a 17th-century building relocated from Shiga Prefecture, a restored Sen no Rikyu (A tea master and merchant from the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Known as the founder of wabi-cha, which later on has developed as the art of tea ceremony. Therefore he is also known as the tea saint) teahouse, and a shrine office designed by architect and architectural historian Terunobu Fujimori. The gardens, featuring pine trees that symbolize the region from the Sanyo Road to the Seto Inland Sea, connect these buildings. Additionally, the temple houses 200 of the collections by Zen master Hakuin(The founder of the Rinzai sect and a monk praised as a once in 500 years).

Zen Experiences at Shinshoji

• Zazen (Seated Zen training): Cultivate a soft heart.
  Duration: 90 minutes.
• Syakyo (Copying sutras): Clear your mind.
  Duration: 40-80 minutes. 
• Zen Experience (Day trip): Chanting sutras, Zazen, Syakyo, lunch, tea.
  Duration: 5.5 hours. Available daily.
• Zen Experience (Overnight stay): Zazen,chanting sutras (night and morning), dinner, breakfast, cleaning, tea.
  Duration: 2 days, 1 night. Available every Thursday and Friday (minimum two people).

Facilities

• Tea Room: There are three tea rooms where visitors can experience traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
  Matcha set with Wagashi (traditional Japanese snack)
• Shinshoji Udon: This special udon (Japanese noodle) dish, eaten by monks, is available for visitors.
• Bath: There are three baths available for cleansing the mind and body.
  Rental fee: 50 minutes or 90 minutes.

In our private island hopping tours around the Setouchi region, we can arrange a visit to this Shinjoji Temple. We will cruise to the nearest port in Fukuyama City and transfer to a private car along with a local tour guide.

By Yuki