SAIJOJI

SAIJOJI is a temple of Soto Zen
Buddhism built in 1394 by Ryoan-emyo-zenji

NEWS

SAIJOJI Premium Night of Red Autumn Leaves Led by TENGU 2023年11月6日

ABOUT

SAIJOJI is a temple of Soto Zen Buddhism built in 1394 by Ryoan-emyo-zenji (1337-1411)

Outlines of SAIJOJI

SAIJOJI is a Buddhist temple of the scale following Eihei-ji in Fukui-prefecture and Soji-ji in Tsurumi in Soto Zen Buddhism and it is called DOURYOSAN for Douryo who was a pupil with 500 manpower and contributed together with Ryoan-emyo-zenji to build the temple.

The vast inside of the temple site has abundant nature, and you can enjoy forest bathing and flowers through four seasons, such as cedar woods designated as a natural monument in Kanagawa prefecture, hydrangea in early summer, red colored leaves of trees in autumn, etc.

HOLY ANIMALS

Here and there various holy animals appear in SAIJOJI. Please look for them because they appear in the unexpected places.

TENGUS

It is said that TENGU members in SAIJOJI protect the temple and rescue worshippers from pains and they are deified as guardian deities of the temple.

BUILDINGS

SAIJOJI has the history more than 600 years since the initial opening. There are more than 30 buildings surrounded by aged cedars.

EVENT

Various events are carried out throughout the year in SAIJOJI. You can learn the history and culture of Japan by participating in events.

FOUR SEASONS

Saijoji surrounded by cedar trees beyond an age of the tree for 300 years creates various appearances every season.

ACCESS＆CITY info.

Access information to Saijouji, Information of sightseeing spots in Minamiashigara city, neighborhood information and accommodations

EXPERIENCE

We will introduce events and experiences events throughout the year, in SAIJOJI.

FOCUS

The below shows events carried out from December to March

Bells on New Year's Eve, 31 DECEMBER.

On December 31, worshippers who try to greet New Year at Daiyu-zan gather in front of the bell tower, and temple bells of New Year’s Eve are hit by the first utterance of the head priest at 0:00am New Year’s Day. Energy overflows in a solemn air and a dawn of a new year is coming.

New year big prayer, 1 JANUARY.

Prayer of greeting the New Year is carried out.
About 50,000 worshipers come on the first three days of the new year.

Dondo-Yaki : Januray 14

New Year’s ornaments and dumplings made by ascetic monks are burned up by fire. It is said that eating dumplings baked by this fire bring perfect state of health for one year.

'Setsubun' Bean-Scattering Ceremony Festival : February 3

Lucky-beans are scattered by guests and Setsubun ritual people with the zodiac sign by whom preliminary applications were done. 12,000 bags of beans are scattered and each bag contain a lottery ticket and a big lottery event is performed.

TENGU members in saijoji

TENGUs in SAIJOJI

Big-TENGU

Statue of nose high TENGU with form of the itinerant Buddhist monk who has strong supernatural powers.

Small-TENGU

Statue of TENGU with a bill like a crow. It is called an another name Crow-billed TENGU.
Ko-TENGU can fly freely with the body covered by a face with a bill and a black feather like a crow.

DOURYOSAN TENGU Statue

Stone statue which models the legend of TENGU.
When Ryoan-emyo-zenji, the master of DOURYOSAN, passed away at 75 years old, DOURYOSAN changed into TENGU and flew away into deep mountains to protect the temple forever and rescue worshippers from pains. Since then DOURYOSAN is deified as the palladium of the temple.

Japanese wooden clogs of TENGU

Role of Japanese wooden clogs is accomplished by set of left-and-right pair and it is said that it connects with conjugal harmony.

SOUVENIRS

TENGU Geta charm, TENGU T-shirt, Red Seal Book, etc can be also purchased through the SAIJOJI online shop.

※ Please note that oversea shipment is not accepted.

A charm of the TENGU Geta (Japanese wooden clogs) with a strap which bring matrimonial happiness for the married couple. Very popular goods.
@JPY 500+Postage