Gyokusenji Temple, Tsuruoka

Gyokusenji Temple stands at the base of Mount Haguro, part of the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountain range in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. The temple was founded in 1251 by Ryozen Homyo, a disciple of Dogen who established the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism in Japan. According to legend, Ryozen Homyo was a Korean-born priest who traveled extensively through China and Japan, establishing temples and spreading Zen Buddhist teachings. After a 200-year gap in historical records, the temple came under the stewardship of priest Nanei Kenshu, who initiated the garden's development, which was later redesigned in 1640 by Tenyu, a head priest of Haguro.

The temple's most significant feature is its traditional Japanese garden, earning it recognition as a designated National Site of Scenic Beauty since 1982. Originally built during the Muromachi period in the 1450s, the garden was redesigned in 1640 in the Chisen Kaiyu Horai style by Tenyu, the same priest who built the 2,446 steps up Mount Haguro. The temple is affectionately known as "the Temple of Flowers" due to its year-round blooming displays of seasonal flowers including cherry blossoms in spring, azaleas and Japanese irises in early summer, and Japanese clovers in autumn. The garden features meticulously placed rocks, a koi carp pond, and carefully managed trees and shrubs that create a circuit-style strolling garden.

Visitors can explore both the temple buildings and gardens after removing their shoes and paying admission. The temple offers matcha green tea and traditional wagashi sweets that can be enjoyed while overlooking the garden from the red-carpeted veranda. Guests are encouraged to follow stepping stones and paths around the pond and into the surrounding hills, where they may encounter solitary Buddhist statues, wild bamboo, and natural flora. The temple also hosts Zazen meditation sessions on the 8th of each month at 7:00 PM and the 4th Sunday of each month at 7:00 AM, with advance reservations required.

Adult admission costs ¥400, while elementary school students pay ¥200. Admission with matcha green tea and wagashi sweet is ¥500. The temple can be reached by taking the Shonai Kotsu bus bound for Haguro-sancho from JR Tsuruoka Station, alighting at Otorii bus stop, followed by a 15-20 minute walk. By car, the temple is approximately 15 minutes from Shonai-Asahi Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway, with free on-site parking available. From Shonai Airport, the journey takes about 30 minutes by taxi.