Erinji Temple

Erinji Temple

Erinji Temple  (Highly recommend )

History of Erinji Temple

Erinji Temple was built in 1330 by the Zen monk and garden designer Musō Soseki, also known as Musō Kokushi.

He also went on to design many gardens in Kyoto.

Some of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Saihoji and Tenryuji.

Erinji Temple is a Rinzai Buddhist Zen Temple.

If you are interested in Zazen meditation, you can join a one-hour session held every 2nd Sunday of the month, from 3:00 to 4:00 (Reservation required)

Zazen is a Japanese-style meditation practiced in Buddhist temples.

Good for nothing, and sit in peace.

Takeda Shingen decided Erinji was the temple of the Takeda clan.

The grave of Takeda Shingen is located in this temple.

(Grave of Takada Shingen)

Erinji was burnt down when Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked Takeda Katsuyori (The son of Takeda Shingen).

After the death of Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu took over Kai and restored Erinji Temple.

Today, Erinji Temple is still highly respected as the temple of the Takeda clan.

There is a small dry landscape garden and a big pond garden.

(Dry Landscape Garden)

(Big Pond Garden)

You may enjoy the beautiful view of the Japanese garden.

Especially the pond garden is splendid. Their focal points are from various viewpoints.

The temple has many other attractions, such as a nightingale floor whose wooden boards squeak when someone (or a ninja) tries to sneak up on the building.

Now, it is famous among the guests for the lovely tweets it makes.

(Nightingale Floor)

(Entrance Gate of Erinji Temple)  This gate is called the Black Gate.

(Second Gate of Erinji Temple)  This gate is called a red gate or gate and has four legs.

This gate is designated as an important national cultural asset.

(Third Gate of Eringi Temple)  This Gate is Called Three Gate.

(Main Hall) This is called Kuri, which means kitchen.

Main Hall was burned to ash in the Meiji Era. Then, This entrance leads to the main hall.

When you enter the Kuri, you may see the old wooden, typical Japanese roof structure on the ceiling.

(Inside of Main Hall)

Wherever you are walking the corridor, you may find beautiful scenery from every angle.

You feel like you are in Kyoto right now.

Map

Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture 404-0053, Japan

 

Information: Erinji Temple

Zip, 404-0053

Address: 2280 Enzanoyashiki Kōshū-shi, Yamanashi-ken

Tel, 0553-33-3011

Main Hall (Open - Closed /8:30 -16:30) Open 365 days per year.

The Main Hall entrance fee for adults is 300 yen; for high school students, it is 100 yen.

Zen meeting is held every Saturday morning. You can learn how to practice for about 30 minutes, and anyone can start participating, even from adults to children. AM 6:00 to 7:00 free of charge.

Zazen practice is free of charge every second Sunday of the month from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.