Rakan-ji Temple

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Head temple of Rakan-ji temples in Japan.
• Became Soto Zen in 1600.
• Dedicated to Zenkai, who excavated Ao-no-domon.

What to see

• Countless caves in the rock face.
• Main hall built into the caves.
• Over 3,700 stone Buddhas enshrined in caves.
• Oldest 500 Rakan in Japan are in Murokutsu.
• Stone Buddhas in Murokutsu are important cultural properties.
• Zenkai-do enshrines Zenkai.

Getting there

• Located on the middle of Mt. Rakan.
• Approach is part of the Kyushu Nature Trail.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.