⛩️ Rinnoji Temple, Miyagi Prefecture

Rinno-ji Temple, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Soto Zen temple built in the first year of Kakyu (1441) by Date Mochimune. The mountain name is Kongōbōzan. It features a central pond and a Japanese garden with a three-story pagoda standing in the northwest, making it one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Tohoku region. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the temple and nature throughout the four seasons. On the 1st and 15th of each month, the seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the three-story pagoda is open for viewing. The Soto Zen doctrine of "Shikan taza" (just sitting) is one of the key teachings of Zen Buddhism, meaning to focus wholeheartedly on sitting meditation. To experience zazen (seated meditation) firsthand, Rinno-ji holds a zazen session every Saturday night, which participants are welcome to join. Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for sitting. The cemetery within the grounds is the final resting place of Kiyoshi Shiga, who discovered the dysentery bacillus and developed chemotherapy, as well as Sadayoshi Iinuma, the sole survivor of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps).

A temple surrounded by a forest. The garden offers views of different seasonal landscapes. Zazen sessions are held every Saturday (for details, please check the official website).