Roots of Japan The Eigen-ji Area: Japanese Landscapes of the Heart

Eigen-ji Temple, located in Shiga Prefecture’s city of Higashiomi,
is the head temple of the Eigen-ji school of the Rinzai sect, a Zen Buddhist denomination.
It has long been revered by many people.
All around, one experiences scenes dear to Japanese people’s hearts.
There’s the fall foliage, green summer leaves, and other seasonal sites of natural beauty.
Close to the temple flows the Echi River, the source of Lake Biwa.
Mandokoro tea, cultivated the same way for about 600 years,
still conveys what is wonderful about tea grown from old tea trees.

Various experiences and programs that draw from these
and other wonderful characteristics of Shiga’s Eigen-ji area are offered.
Here, you are invited to experience the roots of Japan.

Eigen-ji Temple, located in Shiga Prefecture’s city of Higashiomi,
is the head temple of the Eigen-ji school of the Rinzai sect,
a Zen Buddhist denomination. It has long been revered by many people.
All around, one experiences scenes dear to Japanese people’s hearts.
There’s the fall foliage, green summer leaves,
and other seasonal sites of natural beauty.
Close to the temple flows the Echi River, the source of Lake Biwa.
Mandokoro tea, cultivated the same way for about 600 years,
still conveys what is wonderful about tea grown from old tea trees.

Various experiences and programs that draw from these
and other wonderful characteristics of Shiga’s Eigen-ji area are offered.
Here, you are invited to experience the roots of Japan.

Shiga Prefecture Eigen-ji Temple

The Eigen-ji school is one of the 15 schools that comprise
the Rinzai and Obaku sects, denominations of Zen Buddhism.
Eigen-ji Temple, the school’s head temple with
127 branch temples throughout Japan,
is a historic training center for zazen meditation, self-cultivation,
and prayers for peace and safety in the world. A long time ago,
a temple complex was built, with Zen master Jakushitsu Genko being
brought in as the founder. This was the beginning of Eigen-ji Temple.
The temple continued to attract eminent priests, and under the patronage of the Sasaki clan, provincial constables of Omi, boasted as many as 2,000 training priests in its heyday.
Its rich scenery—such as the foliage that envelops the temple approach
and main gate in autumn—is the most beautiful in Omi.
Throughout the entire temple complex,
visitors can enjoy a vibrant natural environment.
Eigen-ji Temple is a component cultural asset of the Lake Biwa
and its Surrounding Waters of Japan Heritage.

The Eigen-ji school is one of the 15 schools that comprise
the Rinzai and Obaku sects, denominations of Zen Buddhism.
Eigen-ji Temple, the school’s head temple with 127 branch temples throughout Japan,
is a historic training center for zazen meditation, self-cultivation,
and prayers for peace and safety in the world. A long time ago,
a temple complex was built, with Zen master Jakushitsu Genko being brought in as the founder.
This was the beginning of Eigen-ji Temple.
The temple continued to attract eminent priests, and under the patronage of the Sasaki clan, provincial constables of Omi, boasted as many as 2,000 training priests in its heyday. Its rich scenery—such as the foliage
that envelops the temple approach and main gate in autumn—is the most beautiful in Omi.
Throughout the entire temple complex, visitors can enjoy a vibrant natural environment.
Eigen-ji Temple is a component cultural asset of the Lake Biwa and its Surrounding Waters of Japan Heritage.

Enchanted
by Japan’s Roots

Visiting Eigen-ji Temple and its surrounding area
while reflecting on ages past,
you will realize that there is a Japan that can only be experienced here.
Experiencing the roots of Japan, well-preserved,
with the five senses is to feel a deep sense of contentment.

Visiting Eigen-ji Temple and its surrounding area while reflecting on ages past,
you will realize that there is a Japan that can only be experienced here.
Experiencing the roots of Japan, well-preserved,
with the five senses is to feel a deep sense of contentment.

Discovering Japan’s Highlights
through Diverse Experiences

Zazen meditation, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine,
Mandokoro tea, sencha tea ceremony...
With each experience, a clearer Japan comes into view.
Discover history, discover proper forms, and discover Japan.
A luxurious journey, found through a rich learning experience.

Zazen meditation, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, Mandokoro tea, sencha tea ceremony...
With each experience, a clearer Japan comes into view.
Discover history, discover proper forms, and discover Japan.
A luxurious journey, found through a rich learning experience.

Welcome to Japan’s Heritage,
Eigen-ji Temple

Eigen-ji Temple, a component cultural asset of the Lake Biwa and
its Surrounding Waters of Japan Heritage,
offers many lessons and a great deal of natural beauty.
The autumn leaves said to be the best in Omi,
the Eigen-ji cherry blossoms in the spring,
the deep green leaves of summer.
Spend your time as you wish—walking up the temple approach,
gazing at the main hall...

Eigen-ji Temple, a component cultural asset of the Lake Biwa and its Surrounding Waters of Japan Heritage,
offers many lessons and a great deal of natural beauty.
The autumn leaves said to be the best in Omi,
the Eigen-ji cherry blossoms in the spring, the deep green leaves of summer.
Spend your time as you wish—walking up the temple approach, gazing at the main hall...

Eigen-ji Area Experiences

Zazen Meditation

At Eigen-ji Temple, visitors can experience
zazen meditation as practiced by Zen priests.
An explanation of zazen and its
proper techniques is offered.
A precious moment to experience the state of selflessness,
to be enveloped in silence, and to clear your mind.
Of course, even first-time practitioners
are welcome to participate.

Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine

Buddhist vegetarian cuisine,
which is made with the likes of vegetables,
fruits, and seaweed, is an important vegetarian cuisine
closely connected to Buddhism.
In this program, a famous chef from Shiga puts
a modern spin on this cuisine.
Participants can enjoy a variety of
dishes prepared using the bounty of the Eigen-ji area,
including tea porridge made with Mandokoro tea,
a rare and choice tea grown in the Eigen-ji area.
Draw nearer to the Buddha’s teachings through food.

Mandokoro Tea

Mandokoro tea is one of the three major teas of Omi,
along with Tsuchiyama tea and Asamiya tea.
It is sung about in a song about tea picking
—“Uji is known for tea, the most famous tea is Mandokoro”—
and is also referred to as the “legendary choice tea.”
Featuring completely organic/pesticide-free cultivation,
Mandokoro tea is grown using
traditional cultivation methods
and conveys what is wonderful
about tea grown from old tea trees.

Sencha Tea Ceremony

There are two types of tea ceremony,
a form of Japanese traditional culture: the matcha tea ceremony,
which uses powdered matcha tea, and the sencha tea ceremony,
which uses sencha leaf tea. Both have quite different roots.
The former was introduced to Japan from Song China
and then perfected by Sen no Rikyu
around the turn of the 16th century.
The latter was discovered by intellectuals from
around the 18th century
as a type of tea ceremony not caught up in forms.
Japanese tea is beautifully made in front of visitors.
Experience for yourself heartfelt hospitality.