1968 Ijirino, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Hofuku-ji Temple, located in Soja, Okayama, is a Zen temple with ties to the renowned Zen painter Sesshu. It's easily accessible by taxi from JR Soja Station. The temple features a beautiful three-storied pagoda dating back to the Nanboku-cho period, and the main hall showcases impressive ceiling art. Visitors can explore the grounds, including the hall where Sesshu is said to have painted a rat with his tears. The temple is particularly stunning during the autumn foliage season, but also offers serene beauty with its gardens and lotus pond in other months. Admission is free, and parking is available.