Zuio Temple, or Zuio-ji (瑞応寺), is a Soto Zen monastery in Niihama City. There are many monks training and studying at the temple. The buildings are cleverly connected through raised walkways and ground level paths so that one can walk between all of them from inside without shoes or outside with shoes. The gravel in the courtyard has lined designs in the Zen rock garden style. They also host free meditation for lay people and have easy-to-read scripts for the chanting and sutra reading portions of the meditation. It is also possible to stay at the temple for the modest fee of ¥3000 a night.
- 1 min read
Zuio-ji
A large, mountain monastery of the Soto Zen sect
By Anonymous
Community writer
The entrance gate to the main halls of the monastery (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
The forest around the grounds is quiet and serene (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
A large graveyard is situated along the hillside to the east of the monastery (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
The stones of the entrance were slick with rain (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
Artisticly stunning door ornamention surrounding the ring pulls (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
A dragon spout for ablutions (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
Looking outside from within one of the buildings (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
The courtyard is filled with the scent of incense and the sound of the ringing bells (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
One of the meditation rooms (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
Roof tiles (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
The quiet temple grounds are surrounded by trees (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
A small shrine beside the main hall (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
A small pond in front of a small shrine (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
There are many smaller temple buildings around the grounds (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
Another shrine lay up the mountain path (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
A headstone pyramid (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
Explore nearby
Join the discussion
Jihad Mahmoud
8 years ago
That is really interesting. Did you try staying there?
Anonymous
Photographer
8 years ago
No, I just drive up on Sunday mornings from time to time
2 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1Traveling Japan: Safety tips App, Travel Insurance & More
Planning - Sponsored -
2A Hidden Getaway in Yaizu, Shizuoka
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
3Exploring Japan Through the Seasons: Three First-Time Classic Tours
Culture -
4See Southern Japan with Kirishima As Your Gateway
Kagoshima - Sponsored -
5Experience Oarai: A Quiet Fishing Town Blessed by the Bounty of the Sea
Ibaraki -
6How to Handle Illness Or Injury While Traveling in Japan
Planning - Sponsored -
7I’m Donut?: Japan’s Viral Donut Sensation
Culture -
8A GranClass Journey to Aomori and Morioka
Culture - Sponsored -
9Adventure Travel For All In Chitose
Hokkaido -
10Year-Round Escapes Along Japan’s Edo Roads
Tokyo - Sponsored
-
1Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo -
2Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
3Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
Tokyo -
4The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
5Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
6Bad Bunny Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour
Tokyo -
7Nabana no Sato Illumination
Mie -
8Winter in Japan: Your Seasonal Guide
Planning -
9January Grand Sumo Tournament (Tokyo)
Tokyo -
10Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba