SAITAMA

Shougakuji Zen Meditation Retreat

Reconnect with your true self through zazen in the quiet mountains of Naguri

At Shougaku-ji, a 15th-century Soto Zen temple nestled in the forests of Hanno, visitors can experience an overnight retreat that delves into the calmness of zazen meditation and the gentle discipline of temple life.

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Retreat into Shougakuji Temple to experience Zen meditation, temple cuisine, and the quiet beauty of Naguri’s nature in Saitama.

Nestled among the misty mountains of Naguri in Hanno City, Saitama, Shougakuji Temple (福王山正覚寺) has watched over this serene valley since 1483. Founded by the Zen master Honshitsu Hōkon Daiōshō (本室鳳根大和尚), the temple belongs to the Soto school of Zen Buddhism and has been revived and cared for by generations of monks. By day, the air hums with the sound of birds, rivers, and wind. By night, the sky opens to a field of stars. Locals call it “Saitama’s Karuizawa” for its refreshing summer tranquility.

At the heart of the temple’s practice is zazen, a seated meditation that brings awareness to the present moment. The temple offers both daytime and overnight meditation experiences throughout the year, guided by the resident priest. An overnight stay at Shogakuji follows the quiet rhythm of temple life. Guests arrive by 4:30 p.m., settling into the peaceful wooden halls before the first zazen session begins at 5:00 p.m. Afterward, a shoujin ryouri dinner—Buddhist vegetarian cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients—offers simple nourishment and reflection. The evening continues with a bath or shower at 7:30 p.m., and by 9:00 p.m., lights are out, allowing rest to come naturally with the mountain air.

At dawn, the temple bell signals a gentle awakening at 5:30 a.m. The day begins with a morning service (chōka), followed by another zazen session at 6:30 a.m., then a short Dharma talk from the resident priest. A breakfast of shōjin ryōri is served at 8:00 a.m., after which guests join in cleaning the temple grounds. The program concludes with an optional shakyō (sutra copying) session at 9:00 a.m., where participants trace Buddhist scriptures in silence.

The temple’s resident priest often shares this teaching:
Even when clouds darken the sky and rain hides the mountain, the mountain itself never disappears. It only waits to be seen again. So too, in our own lives, times of joy and difficulty come and go. The practice of zazen reminds us that our true selves, like the mountain, remain quietly within.
At Shougakuji, such words are not merely taught, but lived. Whether you come for meditation, sutra copying, or quiet reflection, the temple welcomes all who seek stillness and perspective.

Phone number

042-979-0235

Contact

shougakuji@yahoo.co.jp

WEB site

https://fukuousan-shougakuji.jimdoweb.com/

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