Jul 30, 2013 - 1 min read

Tochigi Ungan-ji Temple

Severe training for Zen practice in a very remote area

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

View from the top of the temple premises

Purple baloonflower within the precincts of the temple

Top decoration of the roof of Butsuden Hall

700 years ago, more than 3000 disciples learned and practiced Zen at Ungan-ji Temple, following one prominent priest. His honorific title was Bukkoku Kokushi (commonly known as Koho Kennichi, 1241-1316). Although he was born as one of the Emperor’s sons, he was careful to keep his distance from official authority. That was why he chose this remote, severe and deep mountain area. He succeeded Chinese high ranking priest, Mugaku Sogen at Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura, but his base was consistently at Ungan-ji Temple. When you stand at the top of the temple premises, you can feel that it is really isolated from everything and was appropriate for hard ascetic practice. 40 minutes by taxi from JR Nishinasuno Station, Tohokuhonsen Line.