Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens

Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens

The art pavilion “Koutei”, featuring a collection of Zen paintings and calligraphy by Hakuin (1686-1769), founder of the Rinzai sect, is the highlight of the Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens which are dotted with 370 year old buildings including the temple office “Shodo”, and a restored tea house by Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), the most profound influence on the Japanese "Way of Tea", particularly the tradition of wabi-cha.
The museum theme is quiet contemplation as visitors walk around.
We offer Zen meditation and “sutra copying” the practice of hand copying Buddhist sutras.
You can try "Shinshoji Udon", which was eaten by the Unsui (ascetic monks) during their training at the Rinzai Zen monastery.
In the tearoom, you can enjoy a meal of Yudofu (boiled bean curds) while admiring the garden at Kokuin.
In addition to the Zen paintings, architecture, art, and gardens, we offer a new Zen experience for the modern age.