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 worlds heritage sites such as Saihoji and Tenryuji.
Erinji Temple is Rinzai Buddhism Zen Temple.
If you are interested in Zazen meditation, you can join a one-hour session held every 2nd Sunday of the month, PM 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 as 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 for visitors to enjoy, such as a nightingale floor whose wooden boards squeak when a person (or ninja) tries to sneak up to the building.
Now it is famous to the guest for the lovely twitters it makes.
(Nightingale Floor)
(Entrance Gate of Erinji Temple) This gate is called Black Gate.
(Second Gate of Erinji Temple) This Gate is Called Red Gate or Gate with four legs.
This gate is designated as a national important cultural asset.
(Third Gate of Eringi Temple) This Gate is Called Three Gate.
(Main Hall) This is called Kuri means kitchen.
Main Hall was burned to ash in Meiji Era. Then This entrance leads to the main hall.
When you once 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
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.
Main Hall entrance fee, Adults 300 yen, To high school students 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, Every 2nd Sunday of the month, PM 3:00 to 4:00 free of charge.