Daijoji Temple

Daijoji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist monastery located in the mountains south of central Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture. Originally constructed in 1262 under the name Shojurin, the temple was founded by Tettsu Gikai Zenji (1219-1309), the third Abbot of Eiheiji Monastery and a principal figure in the Soto Zen school. The temple relocated to its current location on the slopes of Mount Nodayama in the latter half of the 17th century after changing hands through different periods of history. Following the decline of its early patron, the Togashi family, Daijoji was restored during the feudal period as the temple of the Honda family, chief retainers of the Kaga domain.

The temple complex represents classic Soto Zen monastic architecture, built according to the Shichido-Garan model—the seven-building monastery layout characteristic of Soto school temples. Connected corridors link the main gate to the Buddha hall, kitchen, meditation hall, and lecture hall, creating an integrated environment for monastic practice. The Buddha hall has been designated a National Cultural Heritage, while several other structures within the complex are recognized as Cultural Properties of Ishikawa Prefecture. Daijoji remains an active training monastery where approximately 20 monks practice year-round, maintaining centuries-old traditions of Zen discipline and meditation.

Visitors to Daijoji can participate in authentic Zen meditation sessions alongside practicing monks. Daily zazen (seated meditation) sessions begin at 4:30 a.m. and run for approximately two hours, followed by a morning Buddhist service. A more accessible community meditation session takes place every Sunday at 1:30 p.m., lasting one and a half hours and followed by a dharma talk from 3:00 p.m. and informal tea gathering.

The temple also offers overnight stays lasting between one and three nights, during which guests join monks in their full daily routine, including meditation, prayer, cleaning, and other temple duties. Reservations are required in advance for all meditation sessions and overnight programs, with instruction primarily conducted in Japanese. The temple's second Abbot, Keizan Jokin Zenji (1268-1325), went on to found the important Yokoji and Sojiji monasteries, helping to establish and spread Soto Zen practice throughout Japan.

The temple grounds are open to the public and offer a serene setting amid verdant mountain scenery. The peaceful atmosphere provides an authentic glimpse into active monastic life rarely accessible to visitors at many Japanese temples. While the precincts can be explored freely, the meditation and overnight experiences allow deeper engagement with Zen practice under the guidance of resident monks.

Daijoji is located at Ru 10, Nagasaka-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa. From JR Kanazawa Station, visitors can take Hokutetsu bus numbers 20, 21, or 22 bound for Heiwa-cho or Ichiritsu Byoin. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs 240 yen, followed by a 15-20 minute walk from the Heiwa-machi bus stop to the temple. Alternatively, a taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 20-25 minutes and costs approximately 2,000-2,500 yen depending on the company and time of day. Admission to the temple grounds is free. Parking is available on-site for visitors arriving by car.