Hōfukuji Temple (井山宝福寺) is a sub-temple of the Tōfukuji Temple (東福寺) school of the Rinzai sect (臨済宗). It is also the leading Zen Buddhist temple in the region. When you explore this temple, you will find a couple of tied-up monks’ statues. However, there is no need to be afraid of or weirded out.
Hōfukuji Temple and the Famous Ink Painting Painter, Sesshū
This temple isn’t doing anything creepy or abusive to its monks. They are there to commemorate the famous ink painting painter Sesshū (雪舟), who spent his childhood in the temple before heading to Kyoto to study painting.
During his time in Hōfukuji, he spent most of his time drawing instead of dedicating himself to Zen. This led to him being tied to a pillar by his master as punishment for his disobedience. Because his hands were tied up, he started to cry as he couldn’t draw anymore.
When the master checked up on him a while later, the master found a mouse close to Sesshū’s foot. As the master tried to capture the mouse, he realized that the mouse was just a drawing. Apparently, the mouse was created by Sesshū with his own tears!
After that incident, the master gave up training him as a Zen monk and allowed him to study drawings. This is also why there is always a mouse somewhere close to or on the little tied-up monks’ statue (^_-)-☆.
Hōfukuji’s Three-Story Pagoda
The three-storied pagoda built in 1376 is the oldest building in the precinct of Hōfukuji Temple and the second oldest pagoda in Okayama Prefecture, making it a National Designated Cultural Property.
Zen Meditation at Hōfukuji
- The Zen meditation is held every second Sunday of the month (except August) from 7:15 to 9:30 am.
- Everyone is welcome as long as you pay 500 yen and are a high school students or older.
- No reservation is required.
Autumn at Hōfukuji Temple
The view of Hōfukuji Temple in autumn is just breathtaking. Starting from late October, the color of the foliage will start to change. The fall foliage usually will be the most vivid from mid to late November. As the autumn foliage at Hōfukuji is more well-known, it is best to get here as early as possible.
As the autumn foliage at Hōfukuji is more well-known, it is best if you get here as early as you can. We are sure there will hardly be any tourists around when it opens its gate at 5 am (´▽`*).
Hōfukuji Temple’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The temple is open from 5 am to 5 pm daily.
- Unless you are participating in one of their zen meditation session, it is free to enter.
- It is a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive from JR Sōja Station (総社駅).
Discover Other Scenic Spots in Sōja City
Gōkei isn’t the only breathtaking spot in Sōja City.
If you like to know where else to visit for stunning scenery close by, refer to our article on Sōja City!