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 Shokakuji 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.

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 Shoukakuji, 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.