Eijuji Temple Zendo (Meditation Hall)
The Eijuji Temple Zendo (Meditation Hall) (永住寺禅堂) is a building of 1722 at Eijuji, a Soto Zen temple in Urano, Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on December 5, 2019, under registration number 23-0539. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a single-storey timber building with a metal-sheet roof and a building area of 72 square metres.
Why It Was Registered
The Eijuji Temple Zendo (Meditation Hall) was registered as a model of design. According to the Agency, it is a gabled north-south block facing east southwest of the main hall, with a gabled porch on the front. An earth-floored passage runs across the front with sliding doors at north and south; above, the side bays and a 1-ken strip at the back are boarded and the centre is tatami, with an altar projecting at the rear.
The central tatami area was originally an earth floor (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Shinshiro City explains that at first the centre was earth and the side bays tatami, used as the platforms for seated meditation, an essential element of a Zen monastery.
What to Look For
Look at the eaves. According to Shinshiro City, projecting beams in the segai style remain, suggesting the hall was originally thatched; the present gabled porch is a later addition.
Inside, picture the side bays as meditation platforms with the central passage between them. A lower roof over a passage links it to the monks' hall to the north (Shinshiro City).
Visiting
The layout of the whole monastery and contact details are on the Eijuji Temple page. No official information on visiting was found.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Aichi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Eijuji Temple Zendo (Meditation Hall)
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Q&A
- When was the meditation hall built?
- In 1722.
- When was it registered?
- On December 5, 2019, as registration number 23-0539.
- What is a zendo?
- The hall where Zen monks practise seated meditation; here the side bays originally served as meditation platforms.
- What was the original roof?
- It is now metal sheet, but beams under the eaves suggest it was originally thatched.
- Can I see inside?
- No official information on visiting was found.
Basic Information
| Name | Eijuji Temple Zendo (Meditation Hall) (永住寺禅堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3 Urano, Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture (Eijuji) |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/12/5, registration no. 23-0539 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, metal-sheet roof, building area 72 square metres |
| Owner | Eijuji |
| Public Access | No visiting information |
References
- 永住寺禅堂 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00013123
- Eijuji main hall and six other buildings (Shinshiro City)
- https://www.city.shinshiro.lg.jp/kanko/minzokugeino/eijuji-hondo.html
Last verified: 2026.10.05
