What other travelers are saying about Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens
Wonderful Zen garden near Fukuyama. Take your time. One day recommended for visit.
Enjoy Japanese bath, calligraphy, tea ceremony and the great art installation about zen.
We visited the Museum and Gardens in Mid-July 2025, on our great tour of Japan, the socalled "Golden route" as a kind of rest stop between busy megacities.
It is a very beautiful estate and park, with some lovely old temples and other buildings reconstructed here, and a spectacular newbuild for a Zen experience in total darkness. You can have lunch with extra big udon. The highlight was the introduction in Zen Meditation by an english speaking monk, who had travelled especially from Kyoto to give this instruction to us. It was one, if not THE, highlight of our Japan trip. It was very quiet too (even in July) outside our little group of 4, we saw only 3 or max 4 visitors on the whole estate and park. Absolutely recommended !
This temple/museum is huge, and there are so many things to enjoy. The koi fish were beautiful and lively. It was also my first time seeing a donkey. I had udon for lunch, and the experience was very interesting. The server explained the meaning behind each way of eating. I wanted to try meditation and syakyou, but it was too hot outside, so I gave up. Hopefully, I can try them next time I visit, haha.
Had an interesting experience at the zen museum. The architecture itself is just outstanding and the installation you can experience in the museum is unique and a lot to feel during and after the experience. I won't talk too much about the installation as it is different to each person what you feel and think but you will be surprised.
One of the best place to enjoy autumn foliage. It was beautiful. Lovely 😍
I came on weekday and not many crowd, spent around 3 hours. I took private charter bus so its easy to navigate.
The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with last entry at 4:30 PM. Some facilities close by 4:00 PM, so it's advisable to arrive earlier to explore all areas. Special hours apply during the New Year period: December 31st operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM, January 1st from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and January 2nd-3rd return to regular 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM hours.
Walking from the entrance gate to the main hall at the far end of the temple grounds takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Most visitors spend between three to five hours exploring the expansive grounds to fully appreciate the gardens, museum galleries, tea houses, contemporary art installations, and various cultural experiences. If you plan to participate in activities like zazen meditation, sutra copying, or enjoy meals at the on-site restaurants, allow additional time for a more comprehensive visit.
Photography is generally permitted throughout the outdoor gardens and temple grounds for personal use. However, restrictions may apply inside specific buildings such as the Hakuin Gallery and Kohtei art pavilion to protect the artworks. It's recommended to check with staff at each facility or look for posted signage indicating photography policies. Flash photography and tripods may have additional restrictions.
The temple grounds span a mountainous area with varying terrain, which may present challenges for wheelchair users. While the main pathways are paved, reaching the main hall from the entrance involves either climbing stairs or taking a scenic nature trail through the woods. Some areas like the tea houses and the Kohtei art pavilion are located on hills. The temple offers pick-up service from Tenjinyama bus stop to the museum depending on staff availability at the time of inquiry, which may assist visitors with mobility limitations. It's advisable to contact the temple in advance to discuss specific accessibility needs and available assistance.
Visitors can participate in zazen meditation sessions for ¥1,000 with advance reservation required, held in the International Zen Training Monastery. Sutra copying experiences cost ¥1,000 and require no advance notice. The bathhouse is available for an additional fee of ¥800 for adults, ¥600 for high school and university students, and ¥400 for elementary and junior high students, operating from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tea ceremonies at various tea houses offer matcha and sencha sets with traditional sweets. A comprehensive one-day Zen experience costs ¥5,600 per person and includes meditation, an udon lunch, sutra copying, and tea at a teahouse with a monk guide. An English-speaking monk is available on certain days for these programs.
