History:

is a Japanese Buddhist temple located in the city of Suzaka, Nagano. It belongs to the Soto denomination of Zen Buddhism, and is part of the Myoshinji school. The temple was first founded in 1397 by the monk Eihei Dõgen, and was originally known as Fukushoji. Later, it was renamed Antai-ji by the third head priest, Jõshõ Eichõ. Antai-ji is known for its study of meditation and its strict traditional academic teachings. It is also known for its beautiful stone garden and its residence for visiting Buddhist monks. It is one of the best temple in Japan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Antai-ji is a Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple located in the town of Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. 2. Antai-ji was built in the late 12th century by the priest Jien, a celebrated monk of the time. 3. Antai-ji was a major center of the Sōtō school during the Edo period. 4. At the height of its fame, Antai-ji had over 100 resident monks, and served as the main training temple for priests from all over Japan. 5. Antai-ji is still an active temple, and is the head temple of the Shima Onsenline. 6. Antai-ji is known for its practice of "exile training", which involves temporarily sending monks away to other temples as part of their spiritual development. 7. Antai-ji is also notable for its notable history of intellectual exploration and political engagement with the bakufu (or government) during the Edo period. 8. Antai-ji is also known for its water purification services, which involve drawing water from the nearby mountains and purifying it for sale to nearby towns. 9. Antai-ji also hosts a famous annual summer festival that draws large crowds. 10. In 2018, Antai-ji was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its important contributions to the history of Japanese Buddhism. Here are some facts about the Japan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Japan

Worship Method:

Antai-ji is a Rinzai (Japanese Zen) Buddhist temple in the Yoshino Mountains of Japan. Reflecting its Rinzai roots, Antai-ji’s worship services, or “dokusan,” involve a variety of chanting and meditation practices contextualized by ritual liturgy. Some of the more common elements of Antai-ji’s dokusan services include a greeting (irigyō) to the hōsōmon, the entrance gate, followed by a lecture (teishō) delivered by the temple’s abbot or a guest lecturer. After the lecture, adherents are invited to take part in zazen, or sitting meditation, which is followed by recitation of the koan Mu (“Mu!”) and the Shorter Version of the Heart Sutra. The service then concludes with a formal goodbye (ryōbensho). In addition to traditional Buddhist liturgy, the abbot may choose to introduce new elements during dokusan, such as an additional sutra or some instruction on mindfulness. Antai-ji also offers weekly study sessions during which attendees can discuss Zen philosophy or gain instruction in traditional Japanese Buddhism. This most visited temple in Japan

Opening Timing:

Antai-ji in Japan opens from 8:00 am to 17:00 pm every day. top temples in Japan

How to reach:

Antai-ji is located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The best way to reach Antai-ji is by car. From Wakayama City, take the Nanki-Katsuura line of JR West and get off at Kii Katsura Station. Take the Fukuchi Kintetsu Bus (Kishu Kotsu Company) bound for Goza and get off at the final stop, Antaiji-mae (閑泰寺前). The journey takes about one hour and twenty minutes from Wakayama City. The bus runs once per hour, so it’s best to check the timetable ahead of time. famous temples in Japan