History:

is an ancient Buddhist temple from the Tendai sect founded in the Kamakura period in 1236, located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is one of the two main temples of the Tendai sect in the Kantō region. The temple houses the central image of the Vairocana Buddha, as well as many other important cultural and religious artifacts. It is also known for its Sōji-ji Jōdo-shiki ceremonies and the adjacent graveyard with over 3,000 graves. It is one of the best temple in Japan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Sōji-ji is a Buddhist temple located in Kamakura, Japan. 2. It was founded in 1217 by Minamoto no Yoriie, the son of the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo. 3. Sōji-ji is part of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is one of the five major temples of the Kenchō-ji temple complex. 4. The main hall was constructed in the mid-14th century and is the only building from the original complex that still stands today. 5. It is the largest Zen temple in Japan and covers an area of 12 hectares (30 acres). 6. Sōji-ji is home to a large number of monks, who can be seen practicing meditation and doing calligraphy as part of their training. 7. The temple is also well-known for its beautiful gardens and its tōrō (stone lantern), which dates back to the time of the shogun. 8. It is also home to a number of ancient treasures, including several Buddhist statues that date back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). 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:

, the Sōji-ji temple complex near Yokohama is one of the most important and influential places for the practice of Buddhism. The temple has a long history, and it is especially known for its elaborate monastic services. This includes its worship method which includes chants, deep meditation, and guided meditations. At Sōji-ji, the main service, or sesshin, is composed of several different elements. One of its main components is the recitation of the Heart Sutra, the main Mahayana sutra taught in Buddhism. During the recitation, the mantras Namo Amida Butsu and Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō are repeated three times. The practitioner then bows and is guided through a meditative practice focused on self-knowledge and enlightenment. The next element of the service is chanting. Chanting is the practice of using the words of scriptures and mantras to create a rhythm in order to help focus on the meaning of the texts. At Sōji-ji, there are specific chants for various times of the day, and practitioners join in on the chanting. Another important element of Sōji-ji's worship method is the use of liturgy. During services, practitioners listen to and respond to readings of scriptures. After a passage is read, the sutra is concluded with a prayer for all creatures. Finally, Sōji-ji advocates the practice of mindfulness. During services, practitioners spend time in silent meditation, contemplating their inner experiences and reflecting on the teachings. Overall, Sōji-ji's worship method is very spiritual, and as a result, it is extremely popular in Japan. It aims to bring practitioners closer to enlightenment and to help them become more mindful of their inner experiences. This most visited temple in Japan

Opening Timing:

Sōji-ji typically opens at 8:30 AM, and closes at 5:30 PM. top temples in Japan

How to reach:

Sōji-ji (the Sōji Temple) is located in Komatsu in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. It can be accessed by bus or train. By Train: The nearest train station to Sōji-ji is Komatsu Station. From there, take the JR Line to Nomi Station, and then transfer to the JR Komatsu Line to Serikawa Station. From Serikawa Station, the temple can be accessed by taxi or bus. Take the number 22 bus and get off at the Sōji-ji bus stop. By Bus: The temple can also be accessed by bus from Komatsu Station. Take the number 22 bus and get off at the Sōji-ji bus stop. famous temples in Japan