Find Inner Peace at Shinshoji Zen and Garden Museum

Delve deep into the world of Zen Buddhism in Hiroshima

Take a breather from your worries at Shinshoji Zen and Garden Museum. The serene complex, which opened in 2016, invites guests to explore the practices of Zen Buddhism through a variety of experiences. Explore a 400-year-old temple hall that was relocated from Shiga Prefecture, or marvel at tea houses built to replicate precisely those designed centuries ago by the tea master Sen no Rikyu. Or, experience art—both medieval and modern—at Shogondo, the permanent collection gallery, and the art pavilion Kohtei, a unique architectural structure within which visitors can experience an art installation inside. Numerous additional temples dot the attractive grounds that offer spring flowers, strolling paths, and traditional Japanese garden features.  

Those who wish to dive deeper into the teachings of Zen can take part in an hour-long meditation session or learn to copy sutras. For a truly in-depth experience, the temple offers a daylong retreat-style Buddhism boot camp featuring meditation, sutra copying, a yudame udon (warm udon with dipping sauce) lunch served in the same style as in the Rinzai sect’s sodo (training hall), and tea. There’s even a bath complex with a beautiful outdoor tub to help visitors purify and soothe the body as well as the mind.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Fukuyama Station (about one hour), then transfer to the local train to Sanna Nokyo-mae Station (about 30 minutes) and walk from the station (about 20 minutes), or take a taxi.

Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens