Daihonzan Eihei-ji

Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast


In 1244 the great Zen master Dōgen (1200–53), founder of the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism, established Eihei-ji, the 'Temple of Eternal Peace', in a forest outside Fukui. Today it's one of Sōtō's two head temples, a palpably spiritual place amid mountains, mosses and ancient cedars. That said, day trippers visiting the complex of more than 70 buildings might not find the constant buzz of visitors and activities as peaceful as they might desire.

Aspirants can participate in Eihei-ji's one-night stay or three-night sanzen-experience program, which follow the monks' training schedule.

The compound is often closed for periods varying from a week to 10 days for religious observance. Sanrō-temple stays cost from ¥9000 for a one-night stay to ¥20,000 for the full sanzen experience, and must be booked several months in advance.

To get to Eihei-ji from Fukui, take the Keifuku bus (¥720, 30 minutes, hourly); buses depart from the east exit of JR Fukui Station.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast attractions

1. Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Ruins

5.05 MILES

Designated a national historic site, this out-of-the-way place features one of the largest town ruins in Japan, dating from the early 15th century. It's…

2. Yokokan Garden

7.38 MILES

This quaint garden, formerly a mansion of the Matsudaira clan, has a pretty teahouse where you can sit in silence and contemplate life, or feed the…

3. Echizen Ōno-jō

8.59 MILES

Atop a hill overlooking the town, this little yamashiro (mountain castle) is a true delight, even if it is a replica and you have to climb all those…

4. Fukui Dinosaur Museum

8.65 MILES

Kids love the larger-than-life replicas and fossilised relics of the Jurassic Park–styled Fukui Dinosaur Museum, one of the three largest museums of its…

5. Zenshō-ji

17.16 MILES

The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.

6. Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum

17.24 MILES

Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.

7. Tōjinbō

18.63 MILES

Legend says that these rock formations 25km northwest of Fukui came about when Tōjinbō, an evil priest, was cast off the cliff by angry villagers in 1182;…

8. Motorcar Museum of Japan

20.68 MILES

You're likely to be a little astounded by this collection of more than 500 pristine Japanese (and foreign) vehicles housed over three floors, in a massive…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "japan/fukui/attractions/daihonzan-eihei-ji/a/poi-sig/1238475/1323885",
      "destination": "Kanazawa-&-the-Hokuriku-Coast",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Japan",
      "region": "Kanazawa-&-the-Hokuriku-Coast",
      "position": "superzone"
    }