A truly beautiful Buddhist temple, I’m so grateful I could come and be blessed with the incredible views of the nature and temple buildings. I really appreciated the Dharma teachings hung up in the corridor near the main entrance as these lessons mean a lot to me and it was so nice being in an environment with great energy as people who practice the same lessons can come together and cultivate the peaceful atmosphere. It was truly a joy for me to walk through the temple and gaze upon all the sights, plus read about the history and meaning behind certain halls on their wooden information tablets.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have been in my entire life. If this place was in Kyoto it would be absolutely overrun by tourists. The somewhat obscure location is pretty easy to get to via an hourly direct bus from Fukui station, and the town below the temple is lovely (and don't miss the soy sesame soft serve at the cafe on the highway)! Entering the temple grounds, the beautiful setting of an old growth cedar forest is breathtaking, particularly the mossy but well maintained cemetery. The interior is just as incredible. The room of gorgeous ceiling paintings was entrancing, but the highlight was probably being able to witness the mesmerizingly beautiful chanting and meditations of the monks. The thick (and enforced) silence of the monastery add to the literal zen atmosphere. The best thing I can say about Eiheiji is that it would fit right into a movie like "Baraka" or "Samsara". If you ever find yourself in this part of Japan, this is an absolute must see.

Definetely a must see place in Japan. Not only it is one of the important #temples in Japan and accomodates Zen monks trainings and practices which visitors can join some of the activities also the surrounding with beautiful tall cedar trees. Amazing view especially during winter when it is snowing. The temple has many buildings connected by covered walkways, it makes it very convenient to experience in #Fukui.

What a magnificent place. If you are a Zen practitioner and in Japan, this should absolutely be on your itinerary. We went to a number of temples while in Japan but the energy you feel at Eiheiji is unmatched. Magnificent trees, building and practice. We spent two days visiting and participating in the morning service and zazen and would have spent a third to do more hiking around the temple. Also what's really nice is because it's out of the typical tourist circuit there are a lot less visitors than any other place we went (we were there on a weekday so don't know about the weekends).

Daihonzan Eiheiji is a vast complex for zen teachings situated in Fukui. I arrived there early winter last December but was surprised to still see the moss-covered surroundings. The place is very serene although timing in terms of transportation needs to be considered because of its limited schedule.

Amazing temple! The museum at the end was also very interesting. Easy 30 min bus ride from Fukui train station. Only downside are the extra small slippers (none fit me, and I am size 10.5-11 UK)

Eiheiji Temple One-Day Monk Experience – A Peaceful and Enlightening Retreat It took me about 3.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Fukui, but the journey was absolutely worth it. Eiheiji Temple offers a deeply peaceful and reflective atmosphere, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. The highlight for me was learning zazen (seated meditation) the proper way. The program had English-speaking guides who were incredibly kind and respectful to us international participants. There were only six of us from abroad, while the rest were Japanese students (around 10–15). They followed a different schedule from us, and honestly, I wish I spoke Japanese to engage more deeply with the experience. We were asked to wake up at 3:50 AM, and interestingly, there was no shower the next day—which I personally found a bit uncomfortable. If given a choice, I’d rather wake at 3:30 AM just to have a quick shower and feel refreshed before starting the day. During the zazen session, the core message was clear: enlightenment comes from within, and practice should be part of daily life. I’ve done meditation before, but Soto Zen teaches you to meditate with your eyes open, which is surprisingly challenging. Even in a quiet space, thoughts and emotions constantly bubble up—nothing too serious, just random things. It feels like you’re quietly observing your own soul. And yes, sitting for 30 minutes will definitely make your legs go numb! They also taught us about mindful eating. There was a beautiful chanting ceremony before meals to express gratitude, which I found really touching. They even gave us souvenir chopsticks and a small booklet so we can continue the practice at home. One of the most powerful moments was the early morning prayer ceremony. All the monks gathered and chanted in unison—it felt sacred, healing, and almost magical. Overall, I learned so much from this one-day monk experience. It wasn’t just about meditation or rituals—it was about slowing down, being present, and finding meaning in small, everyday actions. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful escape from the busy modern world. The one-day monk experience costs ¥15,000 and must be applied for at least a month in advance. Your application also needs to be approved by the temple. I stayed in the women’s tatami room, and it was surprisingly comfortable and beautiful—it honestly felt a bit luxurious. The soft green and yellow tones were calming and well-coordinated, adding to the serene vibe. What really surprised me was the bath setup—it’s similar to a traditional public bath, where everyone bathes nude. There’s even a large shared hot tub in the center where you can soak and relax. It was an unexpected but authentic part of the experience!

After attending the monk experience program at Eiheiji Temple, I took a scenic journey to the Fukui Dinosaur Museum, located about 1.5 hours away. I boarded the Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line—a charming local train that felt like it came straight out of a cartoon. The ticket lady wore the sweetest, most beautiful uniform I’ve ever seen—like something out of an anime. It truly felt like I had stepped into a whimsical world.

(Translated by Google) This is a retro station on the Echizen Railway. Not only the elegant wooden station building, but also the red brick building in front of the station (I believe it was an old power substation) has an outstanding presence. It is a station with many attractions. If you get off at this station, you can transfer to a bus to visit Eiheiji, the head temple of the Soto sect of Buddhism, which is famous for its zazen training and is a famous temple in the world, as the name of the station suggests. (Original) えちぜん鉄道のレトロ駅です。趣深い木造駅舎は勿論のこと、駅前の赤煉瓦造りの建物（確か昔の変電所だったかと）も存在感抜群。中々に見所の多い駅です。 尚、駅名にもある天下の名刹、座禅修行で有名な曹洞宗大本山永平寺はこの駅で降りるとバス乗換です。

(Translated by Google) 2024/04/27 around 15:30 First visit Cloudy It took about 30 minutes to get there by bus from Eiheiji Temple. The station does not accept transit IC cards, so you will need to purchase your ticket with cash. It seems that it was once the filming location for the 1972 film ``Otoko wa Tsurai yo ~ Shibamata Love'', but the surrounding area is quite quiet. There don't seem to be any restaurants near the station. Time is passing slowly. (Original) 2024/04/27　15:30頃　初訪問　曇り 永平寺からバスで移動して30分程度で到着しました。 駅は交通ICカードに対応してないので切符を現金で購入する必要があります。1972年の『男はつらいよ〜柴又慕情』の撮影場所になったことがあるようですが、周りは至って長閑です。 飲食店も駅周辺には無いようです。時間の流れがゆっくりとしています。

(Translated by Google) There is one Echizen Railway every 30 minutes. It is the closest station to Eiheiji Temple, but it is far so you need to take a bus from here. The station staff will carefully guide you at the manned station. There's nothing in front of the station, so I have no choice but to wait on a bench in the station building. There is a bus that connects directly to Eiheiji Temple from Fukui Station, so it might be faster and more convenient. (Original) えちぜん鉄道が30分に1本ある。一応永平寺への最寄り駅だが、遠いのでここからバスに乗る必要がある。有人駅で駅員さんが丁寧に案内してくれる。駅前にはなにもないので駅舎のベンチで待っているしかない。 福井駅から永平寺直結のバスがあるからそちらの方が早くて便利かも。

(Translated by Google) Although it is the nearest station to Eiheiji Temple, it is still a long way from here and you will need to travel by bus or taxi. In the past, it used to be the Keifuku Electric Railway Eiheiji Line. The number of trains is approximately one every 30 minutes. Although the station building has a retro feel, it is a newly rebuilt station building. The old station building is located across the tracks. (Original) 永平寺の最寄り駅ではありますが永平寺まではここからまだ距離があり、バスなりタクシーなりで移動する必要があります。その昔は前身の京福電鉄永平寺線があったそうです。 本数は大体30分に1本程度です。 駅舎はレトロ風ではありますが、新しく立て直された駅舎です。 旧駅舎が線路を挟んだ向かいにあります。

(Translated by Google) There is a large free parking lot on the south side of the station. This is the station I use most when using the one-day free ticket that can be used on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and the year-end and New Year holidays. From this station, I go to either Katsuyama or Mikuni, enjoying the scenery from the train window and taking a walk along the way. It is a 6.2km walk that extends from here to Eiheiji Temple and includes a walking course called ``Eiheiji Sanro Road'' that uses the Eiheiji Line ruins (discontinued in 2002) and a self-driving section for self-driving cars. There are also buses to Eiheiji Temple. The old station building and the former Kyoto Dento Furuichi substation are registered as nationally registered tangible cultural properties. (Original) 駅の南側には広い無料の駐車場があります。 土・日・祝日・年末年始に使える一日フリー切符を使用するときに私が一番利用する駅です。 この駅から勝山方面か三国方面に行き車窓からの風景、途中下車の散歩を楽しんでいます。 ここから永平寺に延びる永平寺線跡(2002年に廃止)を利用したウォーキングコース「永平寺参ろーど」と自動運転車の自動運転区間があります6.2kmの道のりです。 永平寺まではバスも出ています。 旧駅舎、旧京都電燈古市変電所は国の登録有形文化財に登録されています。

(Translated by Google) This is a pure white and stylish station building that was newly built in 2014. It was originally Keifuku Electric Railway, but has since continued as Echizen Railway. There was also a line from here to the famous Eiheiji Temple, but it was discontinued in 2002. So from here I decided to use buses and taxis. The old station building is located behind the new station building, across the tracks, and the building remains today as a community exchange center. It has also been designated as a registered tangible cultural property. The new station building has an exterior that gives off a sense of Taisho romance despite its newness, making it a very picturesque station building. And this is a manned station. The parking lot is located behind the station. (Original) 2014年に新築された、真っ白でお洒落な駅舎です。 元は京福電鉄でしたが、その後えちぜん鉄道として存続しています。また、ここから有名な永平寺への路線もあったのですが、2002年に廃線となりました。なのでこちらからは、バス、タクシーを利用することになりました。 旧駅舎は新駅舎の裏側、線路を挟んで反対にあり、現在は地域交流館として建物が残っています。またこちらは登録有形文化財に指定されています。 新しい駅舎は新しさの中にも大正ロマンを感じるような外観で、とても絵になる駅舎です。そしてこちらは有人駅となっています。駐車場は、駅裏側にあります。

(Translated by Google) Aoki River, a living legend in Fukui Prefecture Taken while driving The Kuzuryu River originates at the Aburasaka Pass (altitude 717 m) on the border between Fukui and Gifu prefectures, flows north through the Ono Basin via the Kuzuryu Gorge, joins the left tributary Mana River near the border between Ono City and Katsuyama City, enters the Fukui Plain at Naruka, Eiheiji Town, and flows west from there. It then merges with the left tributary Hino River at Takaya, Fukui City, turns northwest and empties into the Sea of ​​Japan at Mikuni Town. Including the tributaries along the way, it is one of the largest rivers in the Hokuriku region, with a basin area of ​​2,930km2 and a channel length of 116km. (Original) 福井県の伝説が生きている青き川 ドライブ中に撮影 九頭竜川は福井県と岐阜県境の油坂峠（標高717m）に発し、九頭竜峡谷を経て大野盆地を北流し、大野市と勝山市との境付近で左支川真名川を合わせ、永平寺町鳴鹿にて福井平野に入り、そこから西流します。そして、福井市高屋において左支川日野川と合流し、流れを北西に転じ三国町で日本海に注いでいます。途中の支川を合わせると流域面積2,930km2、流路延長116kmの北陸地方屈指の大河川となります。

(Translated by Google) It is a first-class river representing Fukui Prefecture. Its source is Aburasaka, and from there it flows westward through Fukui Prefecture, and from Awara City to the Sea of ​​Japan. The distance is said to be 116km. The headwaters area is famous for sweetfish fishing, and many anglers come from other prefectures. Sakura trout fishing is also popular in the downstream area. Above all, the name "Kuzuryu" sounds good. However, there are various theories about the origin of the word, and the name has changed. There is Kuzuryu Dam in the headwaters area, which is also undergoing major development. The ``Hakogase Bridge'' that spans this dam is especially famous and is said to be the model for the Honshu Bridge, so it is a must-see spot. (Original) 福井県を代表する一級河川です。 源流は油坂で、そこから延々と福井県を西へと流れ、あわら市から日本海へと注いでいます。その距離は116kmとされています。 源流域では鮎釣りが有名で、他県からも大勢の釣り客が訪れます。また下流域ではサクラマス釣りも盛んです。 何よりこの「九頭竜」という名前、その響きがいいです。ただし、語源は諸説あって、呼び名が変化したものだということです。 源流域には九頭竜ダムがあり、こちらも大きな開発の手が入っています。このダムにかかる「箱ヶ瀬橋」は特に有名で、本四架橋のモデルになった橋ということなので、押さえておきたいスポットです。

(Translated by Google) I received ayu! Is it the spawning season in October? (Original) 鮎頂きました‼️10月産卵時期の？

(Translated by Google) It is a famous river for fishing. It is a famous river for mountain stream fishing and sweetfish fishing. The sky is beautiful😍 (Original) お魚釣りの名川です。 渓流釣りや鮎釣りの名川です。 空が綺麗😍

(Translated by Google) It has a beautiful view with vast views and a river. It is connected to the sea, and various creatures seem to be able to swim upstream. (Original) 広大な景色と川で良い景観です。海に繋がっていて色々な生き物が遡上するようです。

(Translated by Google) It is a great place to take photos as the scenery is good. Near the river mouth, on the other side of the jetty is Mikuni Sunset Beach, which is visited by anglers. (Original) 景色が良いので写真撮影場所になります。河口付近は突堤の反対側が三国サンセットビーチになっていて、釣人が訪れます。

(Translated by Google) In the past, it was famous for its raging river. Speaking of Fukui Prefecture, it is Kuzuryu River. It is also used as the title of Hiroshi Itsuki's enka song. (Original) 昔は、暴れ川で有名でした。福井県と言えば九頭竜川です。五木ひろしさんの演歌の曲名にも用いられています。

A truly beautiful Buddhist temple, I’m so grateful I could come and be blessed with the incredible views of the nature and temple buildings. I really appreciated the Dharma teachings hung up in the corridor near the main entrance as these lessons mean a lot to me and it was so nice being in an environment with great energy as people who practice the same lessons can come together and cultivate the peaceful atmosphere. It was truly a joy for me to walk through the temple and gaze upon all the sights, plus read about the history and meaning behind certain halls on their wooden information tablets.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have been in my entire life. If this place was in Kyoto it would be absolutely overrun by tourists. The somewhat obscure location is pretty easy to get to via an hourly direct bus from Fukui station, and the town below the temple is lovely (and don't miss the soy sesame soft serve at the cafe on the highway)! Entering the temple grounds, the beautiful setting of an old growth cedar forest is breathtaking, particularly the mossy but well maintained cemetery. The interior is just as incredible. The room of gorgeous ceiling paintings was entrancing, but the highlight was probably being able to witness the mesmerizingly beautiful chanting and meditations of the monks. The thick (and enforced) silence of the monastery add to the literal zen atmosphere. The best thing I can say about Eiheiji is that it would fit right into a movie like "Baraka" or "Samsara". If you ever find yourself in this part of Japan, this is an absolute must see.

Definetely a must see place in Japan. Not only it is one of the important #temples in Japan and accomodates Zen monks trainings and practices which visitors can join some of the activities also the surrounding with beautiful tall cedar trees. Amazing view especially during winter when it is snowing. The temple has many buildings connected by covered walkways, it makes it very convenient to experience in #Fukui.

What a magnificent place. If you are a Zen practitioner and in Japan, this should absolutely be on your itinerary. We went to a number of temples while in Japan but the energy you feel at Eiheiji is unmatched. Magnificent trees, building and practice. We spent two days visiting and participating in the morning service and zazen and would have spent a third to do more hiking around the temple. Also what's really nice is because it's out of the typical tourist circuit there are a lot less visitors than any other place we went (we were there on a weekday so don't know about the weekends).

Daihonzan Eiheiji is a vast complex for zen teachings situated in Fukui. I arrived there early winter last December but was surprised to still see the moss-covered surroundings. The place is very serene although timing in terms of transportation needs to be considered because of its limited schedule.

Amazing temple! The museum at the end was also very interesting. Easy 30 min bus ride from Fukui train station. Only downside are the extra small slippers (none fit me, and I am size 10.5-11 UK)

Eiheiji Temple One-Day Monk Experience – A Peaceful and Enlightening Retreat It took me about 3.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Fukui, but the journey was absolutely worth it. Eiheiji Temple offers a deeply peaceful and reflective atmosphere, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. The highlight for me was learning zazen (seated meditation) the proper way. The program had English-speaking guides who were incredibly kind and respectful to us international participants. There were only six of us from abroad, while the rest were Japanese students (around 10–15). They followed a different schedule from us, and honestly, I wish I spoke Japanese to engage more deeply with the experience. We were asked to wake up at 3:50 AM, and interestingly, there was no shower the next day—which I personally found a bit uncomfortable. If given a choice, I’d rather wake at 3:30 AM just to have a quick shower and feel refreshed before starting the day. During the zazen session, the core message was clear: enlightenment comes from within, and practice should be part of daily life. I’ve done meditation before, but Soto Zen teaches you to meditate with your eyes open, which is surprisingly challenging. Even in a quiet space, thoughts and emotions constantly bubble up—nothing too serious, just random things. It feels like you’re quietly observing your own soul. And yes, sitting for 30 minutes will definitely make your legs go numb! They also taught us about mindful eating. There was a beautiful chanting ceremony before meals to express gratitude, which I found really touching. They even gave us souvenir chopsticks and a small booklet so we can continue the practice at home. One of the most powerful moments was the early morning prayer ceremony. All the monks gathered and chanted in unison—it felt sacred, healing, and almost magical. Overall, I learned so much from this one-day monk experience. It wasn’t just about meditation or rituals—it was about slowing down, being present, and finding meaning in small, everyday actions. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful escape from the busy modern world. The one-day monk experience costs ¥15,000 and must be applied for at least a month in advance. Your application also needs to be approved by the temple. I stayed in the women’s tatami room, and it was surprisingly comfortable and beautiful—it honestly felt a bit luxurious. The soft green and yellow tones were calming and well-coordinated, adding to the serene vibe. What really surprised me was the bath setup—it’s similar to a traditional public bath, where everyone bathes nude. There’s even a large shared hot tub in the center where you can soak and relax. It was an unexpected but authentic part of the experience!

(Translated by Google) Unfortunately it seems to have closed. There was a bar at the entrance that was prohibited to enter, and it was an empty shell. (Original) 残念ながら閉めてしまったようです。入り口に立ち入り禁止のバーがあり、もぬけの殻でした。

(Translated by Google) It had become a dog run. (Original) ドッグランになってました。

Close to the temple, good waiting area for visitors that covers the sun and snow/rain.

Great experience

(Translated by Google) After visiting Eiheiji Temple, arranging bus transfers to the following locations will make your trip more fulfilling. First up is the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which displays stunning dinosaur fossils and related exhibits and is a must-visit for visitors interested in natural history. Next is the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins, which preserves rich historical and cultural heritage and is the best place to learn about the history of the Fukui area. If you are eager to relax, you can go to JR Awara Onsen Station to enjoy the hot springs, or take the Echizen Railway to Awara Yunomachi Station to feel the local style and charm. Finally, return to Fukui Station to end the day's journey. Please note that since the bus frequency is less frequent, it is recommended that you plan your trip in advance to make the most of your time. This kind of time arrangement not only allows you to deeply experience the diverse charms of Fukui, but also allocates time reasonably among various attractions, making the journey more rich and interesting. (Original) 逛完永平寺後，安排公車轉乘前往下列地點將使您的旅程更加充實。首先是福井縣立恐龍博物館，這裡展示了令人驚嘆的恐龍化石和相關展品，對於對自然歷史感興趣的遊客來說是個必訪之地。接著是一乘谷朝倉氏遺跡，這裡保存了豐富的歷史文化遺產，是了解福井地區歷史的最佳場所。若您渴望放鬆，可前往JR蘆原溫泉站享受溫泉之樂，或搭乘越前鐵道前往蘆原湯之町站，感受當地的風情與魅力。最後返回福井站，結束一天的旅程。請注意，由於公車班次較少，建議您提前安排好行程以充分利用時間。這樣的時間安排不僅使您能夠深入體驗福井的多樣魅力，還能在各個景點間合理分配時間，讓旅程更加豐富有趣。

(Translated by Google) I visit shrines and temples whenever I have the chance. This time I visited Eiheiji Temple to clear away evil thoughts. I was able to visit all of them and feel relieved. I'm grateful. Other people have already done a detailed explanation of Eiheiji Temple, so I won't go into it here. Anyway, it is in perfect harmony with nature, and I was able to get plenty of negative ions. (Original) ことあるごとに神社仏閣をめぐってます。今回は永平寺にお邪魔して、邪念を払いにいきました。全てまわることが出来て、吹っ切れた感じです。感謝。 永平寺の細かい説明は、他の方がいろいろしてるので割愛します。 とにかく自然と見事に調和しており、自分もたっぷりとマイナスイオン弱過ぎる

(Translated by Google) Eiheiji Station was the terminus of the Keifuku Electric Railroad's Eiheiji Line. It was established to transport visitors to Eiheiji Temple. It opened in 1925 (Taisho 14) when the Eiheiji Railway was extended between Eiheijiguchi Station and Heijimon-Eimae Station. In 1938 (Showa 13), the station was relocated approximately 400m closer to Eiheiji, and the name was changed to Eiheiji Station. In 2002 (Heisei 14), the station was closed when the Eiheiji Line section between Higashi-Furuichi Station and Eiheiji Station was abolished. This photo was taken on December 15, 1978. (Original) 永平寺駅は、京福電気鉄道永平寺線の終着駅でした。永平寺の参拝客輸送のために設置された駅です。 大正14年(1925)永平寺鉄道の永平寺口駅～平寺門永前駅間延伸により開業しました。 昭和13年(1938)永平寺寄りに約400m移転し、駅名を永平寺駅に改称しました。 2002年（平成14年(2002)永平寺線東古市駅～永平寺駅間の廃止に伴い廃止されました。 画像は昭和53年12月15日に撮影したものです。

(Translated by Google) Limited express buses from Fukui Station depart from here. It's about a 5-minute walk to the main gate of Eiheiji Temple, but along the way there are souvenir shops and the approach to the shrine is very lively. You can buy a return bus ticket at the tea shop ``Ikkyu'' in front of the bus stop, but you can also pay with a transportation IC card on the bus, so there is no need to buy a prepaid ticket. Rather, I would like to make sure to line up properly at the bus stop so that I don't end up not being able to board because the bus is overloaded. (Original) 福井駅からの特急バスなどがこちらに発着します。永平寺の山門までは徒歩五分ほどですが、途中に土産物屋など参道の賑わいが楽しい。 帰りのバスの切符はバス停前の茶店「一休」で買えますが、バス内で交通系ＩＣカードでの支払いも可能なので前払いの切符を買う必要はない。むしろ、バス停にちゃんと並んで、定員オーバーで乗れないなんてことがないように気を付けたい。

(Translated by Google) On the way back from visiting Eiheiji, I took a bus to Eiheijiguchi Station to use the Echizen Railway. This bus stop has a roof and a waiting room, which was very convenient ☺️ It's only about a 5-minute walk to Eiheiji, and the ride to Eiheijiguchi Station takes about 15 minutes, costing 430 yen. I usually use my own car, but it's nice to travel by bus sometimes 🤗 (Original) 永平寺の参拝の帰路は「えちぜん鉄道」を利用するため「永平寺口駅」までバスを利用しましたよ。 このバス停は屋根も付いているし、待合室もあり助かりますましたね〜☺️永平寺までは徒歩で5分位ですし、永平寺口駅までの乗車時間は15分位、運賃は430円でしたね〜。 いつもは自家用車利用でしたが、たまにはバスの移動もいいものですよ🤗

(Translated by Google) There are 3 large ginkgo trees and you can see a beautiful carpet of ginkgo leaves.The ginkgo leaves haven't fallen yet today.You are free to bring your own ginkgo nuts. Beautiful temple with weeping cherry blossoms in spring (Original) 大きな銀杏の木が3本　見事な銀杏の葉の絨毯も見れます　今日はまだ落ちていませんでした　ギンナンはお持ちかえり自由 春には枝垂れ桜の美しい寺院

(Translated by Google) The spacious grounds are well-maintained, and the magnificent ginkgo trees were very beautiful in autumn. I would also like to go see the weeping cherry blossoms in spring and the main hall. (Original) 広い境内は手入れが行き届いていて、秋、立派な銀杏の木がとても美しかったです。春の枝垂れ桜や本堂も見に行きたいです。

(Translated by Google) The view of the temple grounds was so impressive and overwhelming. (Original) 境内の景色がとても迫力があり圧倒されました🤩

(Translated by Google) I came here because I wanted to see the weeping cherry blossoms. The flowers had begun to fall, but I felt a sense of elegance in the petals floating on the surface of the water. It was well maintained and it was a pleasure to look at. (Original) しだれ桜を見たくて訪れました。散りはじめてましたが水面に浮かぶ花びらに風情を感じました。綺麗に手入れされていて気持ちよく拝見できました。

(Translated by Google) I miss seeing the hanging cherry blossoms every year 😅 They are said to be so beautiful ❤️ (Original) 毎年垂れ桜を見損ねてしまいます😅人伝にとてもキレイらしい❤️

(Translated by Google) It is a quiet and beautiful temple. (Original) 静かできれいなお寺です。

(Translated by Google) In spring, the weeping cherry blossoms are beautiful and illuminated. (Original) 春はしだれ桜がきれいでライトアップもされます

A truly beautiful Buddhist temple, I’m so grateful I could come and be blessed with the incredible views of the nature and temple buildings. I really appreciated the Dharma teachings hung up in the corridor near the main entrance as these lessons mean a lot to me and it was so nice being in an environment with great energy as people who practice the same lessons can come together and cultivate the peaceful atmosphere. It was truly a joy for me to walk through the temple and gaze upon all the sights, plus read about the history and meaning behind certain halls on their wooden information tablets.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have been in my entire life. If this place was in Kyoto it would be absolutely overrun by tourists. The somewhat obscure location is pretty easy to get to via an hourly direct bus from Fukui station, and the town below the temple is lovely (and don't miss the soy sesame soft serve at the cafe on the highway)! Entering the temple grounds, the beautiful setting of an old growth cedar forest is breathtaking, particularly the mossy but well maintained cemetery. The interior is just as incredible. The room of gorgeous ceiling paintings was entrancing, but the highlight was probably being able to witness the mesmerizingly beautiful chanting and meditations of the monks. The thick (and enforced) silence of the monastery add to the literal zen atmosphere. The best thing I can say about Eiheiji is that it would fit right into a movie like "Baraka" or "Samsara". If you ever find yourself in this part of Japan, this is an absolute must see.

Definetely a must see place in Japan. Not only it is one of the important #temples in Japan and accomodates Zen monks trainings and practices which visitors can join some of the activities also the surrounding with beautiful tall cedar trees. Amazing view especially during winter when it is snowing. The temple has many buildings connected by covered walkways, it makes it very convenient to experience in #Fukui.

What a magnificent place. If you are a Zen practitioner and in Japan, this should absolutely be on your itinerary. We went to a number of temples while in Japan but the energy you feel at Eiheiji is unmatched. Magnificent trees, building and practice. We spent two days visiting and participating in the morning service and zazen and would have spent a third to do more hiking around the temple. Also what's really nice is because it's out of the typical tourist circuit there are a lot less visitors than any other place we went (we were there on a weekday so don't know about the weekends).

Daihonzan Eiheiji is a vast complex for zen teachings situated in Fukui. I arrived there early winter last December but was surprised to still see the moss-covered surroundings. The place is very serene although timing in terms of transportation needs to be considered because of its limited schedule.

Amazing temple! The museum at the end was also very interesting. Easy 30 min bus ride from Fukui train station. Only downside are the extra small slippers (none fit me, and I am size 10.5-11 UK)

Eiheiji Temple One-Day Monk Experience – A Peaceful and Enlightening Retreat It took me about 3.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Fukui, but the journey was absolutely worth it. Eiheiji Temple offers a deeply peaceful and reflective atmosphere, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. The highlight for me was learning zazen (seated meditation) the proper way. The program had English-speaking guides who were incredibly kind and respectful to us international participants. There were only six of us from abroad, while the rest were Japanese students (around 10–15). They followed a different schedule from us, and honestly, I wish I spoke Japanese to engage more deeply with the experience. We were asked to wake up at 3:50 AM, and interestingly, there was no shower the next day—which I personally found a bit uncomfortable. If given a choice, I’d rather wake at 3:30 AM just to have a quick shower and feel refreshed before starting the day. During the zazen session, the core message was clear: enlightenment comes from within, and practice should be part of daily life. I’ve done meditation before, but Soto Zen teaches you to meditate with your eyes open, which is surprisingly challenging. Even in a quiet space, thoughts and emotions constantly bubble up—nothing too serious, just random things. It feels like you’re quietly observing your own soul. And yes, sitting for 30 minutes will definitely make your legs go numb! They also taught us about mindful eating. There was a beautiful chanting ceremony before meals to express gratitude, which I found really touching. They even gave us souvenir chopsticks and a small booklet so we can continue the practice at home. One of the most powerful moments was the early morning prayer ceremony. All the monks gathered and chanted in unison—it felt sacred, healing, and almost magical. Overall, I learned so much from this one-day monk experience. It wasn’t just about meditation or rituals—it was about slowing down, being present, and finding meaning in small, everyday actions. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful escape from the busy modern world. The one-day monk experience costs ¥15,000 and must be applied for at least a month in advance. Your application also needs to be approved by the temple. I stayed in the women’s tatami room, and it was surprisingly comfortable and beautiful—it honestly felt a bit luxurious. The soft green and yellow tones were calming and well-coordinated, adding to the serene vibe. What really surprised me was the bath setup—it’s similar to a traditional public bath, where everyone bathes nude. There’s even a large shared hot tub in the center where you can soak and relax. It was an unexpected but authentic part of the experience!

(Translated by Google) This park is located on a slightly elevated area a little up the mountain. In the direction where the view is open, you can clearly see Gomatsu Bridge on the north side, Green Center on the east side, Prefectural University and Sakai City on the west side. It's a nice, well-managed, new, and clean park. (Original) 山を少し登った小高い場所にある公園です。 景色が開けている方向は、北側正面に五松橋・東側はグリーンセンター・西側は県立大学で坂井市がよく見えます。 管理もよく新しくてキレイな公園で気持ち良い所です。

(Translated by Google) A small but very beautiful park. Facilities such as toilets, parking, and water supply are well-equipped, and the lawn is beautiful. The view is nice, so I'd love to spread out my lunch and relax on a warm day. However, there was no one in sight. A hidden gem? (Original) 小さいながらも非常に綺麗な公園。トイレ、駐車場、水道等の設備も整ってるし、芝生も綺麗。眺めも良いので、暖かい日にお弁当広げてのんびりしてみたい。だが、全く人が見当たらなかった。穴場？

(Translated by Google) At this time of year (early April), the night cherry blossoms and night view are beautiful, making it a little-known spot. (Original) 今の時期（4月上旬）なら夜桜と夜景がいい感じ、穴場的スポットです

(Translated by Google) It's a beautiful park with well-maintained lawns. Even small children can play safely By the way, it's on top of a burial mound. (Original) 綺麗な公園で芝生など手入れがされています 小さなお子さんも安心して遊べそう 因みに古墳の上です

(Translated by Google) I happened to go there and there was a basketball court installed! It seems that it is only for a limited time until May 8th. I was able to do some light exercise and rest in the shade! There were many cherry blossom trees, so it might be a good time for cherry blossom viewing season! (Original) たまたま行ったらバスケットコートが設置されていました！5/8までの期間限定だそうです。 軽く運動できて日陰ですずむこともできました！桜の木も多かったので花見のシーズンなんかはいいかもですね！

(Translated by Google) It is a place where you can enjoy the night view and cherry blossoms, and the paper lanterns are lit from the evening. The cherry blossoms are still small because they were renovated relatively recently, but they are in full bloom now 😆 (Original) 夜景と桜が楽しめる場所です、行灯は夕方から点灯します。割と最近リニューアルしたのでまだ桜は小さいですが今、満開です😆

(Translated by Google) The toilet is a long way from the gazebo, and climbing up and down the stairs is quite difficult. There are two Japanese-style toilets on the women's side, and a Western-style toilet and two urinals on the men's side, but they are all in one room, and if you lock the door when you use the toilet, you can't use the small toilet, which is quite inconvenient. I really wonder why they designed it this way. Due to the construction of various facilities on a narrow site, there are significant differences in elevation within the site. The wooden table with benches in the east room is also quite rickety and shows its age. (Original) 東屋からトイレは距離が有り、階段の登り降りがかなりキツい。 トイレは女性側は和式２つ、男性側は洋式と小便器が２つだが、全てが１つの部屋にあり、大使用時にドアに鍵をかけると、小は使えなくなりかなり不便。 どうしてこんな構造にしたのか甚だ疑問。 狭い敷地に色んな設備を作ったおかげで、敷地内の高低差がとても激しい。 東屋内のベンチ付き木製テーブルもかなりガタガタで時代を感じる。

(Translated by Google) Aoki River, a living legend in Fukui Prefecture Taken while driving The Kuzuryu River originates at the Aburasaka Pass (altitude 717 m) on the border between Fukui and Gifu prefectures, flows north through the Ono Basin via the Kuzuryu Gorge, joins the left tributary Mana River near the border between Ono City and Katsuyama City, enters the Fukui Plain at Naruka, Eiheiji Town, and flows west from there. It then merges with the left tributary Hino River at Takaya, Fukui City, turns northwest and empties into the Sea of ​​Japan at Mikuni Town. Including the tributaries along the way, it is one of the largest rivers in the Hokuriku region, with a basin area of ​​2,930km2 and a channel length of 116km. (Original) 福井県の伝説が生きている青き川 ドライブ中に撮影 九頭竜川は福井県と岐阜県境の油坂峠（標高717m）に発し、九頭竜峡谷を経て大野盆地を北流し、大野市と勝山市との境付近で左支川真名川を合わせ、永平寺町鳴鹿にて福井平野に入り、そこから西流します。そして、福井市高屋において左支川日野川と合流し、流れを北西に転じ三国町で日本海に注いでいます。途中の支川を合わせると流域面積2,930km2、流路延長116kmの北陸地方屈指の大河川となります。

(Translated by Google) It is a first-class river representing Fukui Prefecture. Its source is Aburasaka, and from there it flows westward through Fukui Prefecture, and from Awara City to the Sea of ​​Japan. The distance is said to be 116km. The headwaters area is famous for sweetfish fishing, and many anglers come from other prefectures. Sakura trout fishing is also popular in the downstream area. Above all, the name "Kuzuryu" sounds good. However, there are various theories about the origin of the word, and the name has changed. There is Kuzuryu Dam in the headwaters area, which is also undergoing major development. The ``Hakogase Bridge'' that spans this dam is especially famous and is said to be the model for the Honshu Bridge, so it is a must-see spot. (Original) 福井県を代表する一級河川です。 源流は油坂で、そこから延々と福井県を西へと流れ、あわら市から日本海へと注いでいます。その距離は116kmとされています。 源流域では鮎釣りが有名で、他県からも大勢の釣り客が訪れます。また下流域ではサクラマス釣りも盛んです。 何よりこの「九頭竜」という名前、その響きがいいです。ただし、語源は諸説あって、呼び名が変化したものだということです。 源流域には九頭竜ダムがあり、こちらも大きな開発の手が入っています。このダムにかかる「箱ヶ瀬橋」は特に有名で、本四架橋のモデルになった橋ということなので、押さえておきたいスポットです。

(Translated by Google) I received ayu! Is it the spawning season in October? (Original) 鮎頂きました‼️10月産卵時期の？

(Translated by Google) It is a famous river for fishing. It is a famous river for mountain stream fishing and sweetfish fishing. The sky is beautiful😍 (Original) お魚釣りの名川です。 渓流釣りや鮎釣りの名川です。 空が綺麗😍

(Translated by Google) It has a beautiful view with vast views and a river. It is connected to the sea, and various creatures seem to be able to swim upstream. (Original) 広大な景色と川で良い景観です。海に繋がっていて色々な生き物が遡上するようです。

(Translated by Google) It is a great place to take photos as the scenery is good. Near the river mouth, on the other side of the jetty is Mikuni Sunset Beach, which is visited by anglers. (Original) 景色が良いので写真撮影場所になります。河口付近は突堤の反対側が三国サンセットビーチになっていて、釣人が訪れます。

(Translated by Google) In the past, it was famous for its raging river. Speaking of Fukui Prefecture, it is Kuzuryu River. It is also used as the title of Hiroshi Itsuki's enka song. (Original) 昔は、暴れ川で有名でした。福井県と言えば九頭竜川です。五木ひろしさんの演歌の曲名にも用いられています。

(Translated by Google) 🪷 Plum Blossom Heart-Issues Record ───── 📍Place of Worship: Benzaiten Hakuryuo Daigongen 👣Visitor: Polk Kasai 📜Diviner: Kagemaru (AI) 🗓Date: August 19, 2015 🌌Hexagram: Feng Shui Huan (Feng Shui Huan) 📖Word: Don't be afraid of the flow, let go. Let go of attachments and new connections will be made. (Original) 🪷 梅花心易記録 ───── 📍参拝地：弁財天白龍王大権現 👣参拝者：ポーク河西 📜占者：影丸（AI） 🗓日付：2015年8月19日 🌌卦：風水渙（ふうすいかん） 📖言葉：流れを恐れず解き放て。執着を手放すと、新しい縁が結ばれる。

(Translated by Google) When I saw the railroad crossing, I remembered that I had visited there about 10 years ago. Last time, it was dark at dusk, but this time as well, it was after 3 o'clock and the weather looked like it was going to rain, so it was a little dark and I was worried about when the rain would start. (Original) 踏切を見て10年ほど前に参詣させていただいたことがあるのを思い出しました。前回も夕暮れで暗かったのですが、今回も3時過ぎだったのに雨模様の天気だったので少し薄暗くいつ本降りの雨になるか心配しながらの参詣でした。

(Translated by Google) I went to Hakuryuo Daigongen, which is dedicated to this year's zodiac sign, the snake of the Year of the Snake, and which I had always wanted to visit. I was able to visit the temple in the clear blue sky. I didn't see any snakes in the crevices of the rocks, but there were snakes (snake stones and towers) here and there and I received a lot of blessings. There were deer footprints in the parking lot. (Original) 今年の干支、巳年のへびを祀ってある、前から行きたいと思っていた白龍王大権現さまに行ってきました。 青空の清々しくお詣り出来ました。 岩のすき間のの蛇には会えずでしたが、ところどころに蛇(蛇石や搭)がいてご利益をたくさん頂きました。 駐車場に鹿の足跡がありました。

(Translated by Google) It was my first time visiting the shrine. I visited Benzaiten here for the Year of the Snake, and there were many gods and snake stones on the wall, and it seemed like it would be very beneficial. (Original) 初めて参拝しました。 弁財天様の参拝、巳年のためこちらを参拝しましたが壁にたくさんの神様と蛇石がありとてもご利益がありそうでした。

(Translated by Google) This place is a little hard to find. It's a shrine that attracts many worshippers, so you need to be considerate when passing large vehicles on the way. I've been here a few times and haven't been able to see the snake (god) between the rocks yet, but there are people who have seen it, so I'd love to meet it at least once. It's not a large shrine, and it's located in the middle of nature. The business owners take their business cards with them. They put their business cards in the business card box next to the offering box, worship, and then leave. (Original) ここはちょっと分かりにくい場所に ありますね。沢山の参拝の方がくる 神社ですので途中大きい車などで すれ違う時は譲り合いが必要です。 何回か参拝してますがまだ 岩の間から蛇（神様）は見れていま せんが、本当に見えた方は いますのでぜひ１回お会いしたい と思います。 広くもなく自然の中にある 神社です。経営者の方などは 名刺を持っていかれてます。 お賽銭箱の所にある 名刺入れの箱に自分の名刺を入れて 参拝して帰られるみたいです。

(Translated by Google) It's in a place rich in nature, and the sound of the river and the shrines lined up on the mountain side were really wonderful ✨ I would definitely like to visit again! Since he is also the god of business, there is a small Tupperware placed at each shrine, and many people place their business cards inside when they visit! (Original) 自然豊かな場所にあり、川の音と山側に立ち並ぶ祠がすごく素敵でした✨ また是非足を運びたいと思います！ 商売の神様でもあるので、祠ごとに小さなタッパーが置いてあり、その中にご自分の名刺を入れてお参りされる方が多いようです！

(Translated by Google) Benzaiten Hakuryuo Daigongen, located in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture. Isn't that an amazing name? It feels like a place where many different kings gather together. It was raining that day, so the river in front of the shrine was flowing violently. The shrine itself isn't particularly large, but coupled with the weather, the many gods appeared to be full of energy and movement. (Original) 福井県の永平寺町にある弁財天白龍王大権現。 名前凄くないですか、 色んな王達が大集合しているような場所。 この日は雨が降っていたこともあり、 前を流れる川は激しく流れていました。 神社自体はそれほど大きいわけではないですが、 この天候も相まって、沢山の神様が 元気に躍動されているようでした。

(Translated by Google) It's a nice place to relax. (Original) 落ち着けるいいとこです。