Eiheiji Town Tourism Guide

Created by Nippon Shuppan, Co., Ltd.　Revised Sep., 2019

Trip to discover a new self

Access to Eiheiji Town永平寺町

Tourism Inquiries

App Store Google Play

Free Wi-Fi available atEiheiji Monzen Shopping Malland Eiheiji Sando.

Information app availablefor tourist spots andlocal information.

Eiheiji Town Tourism Guide

Planned and Published byEiheiji Town Office, Commerce and Tourism Division1-4 Matsuoka-Kasuga, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida County,Fukui Prefecture 910-1192, JapanTel: 0776-61-3921 (Direct line)E-mail：shoko@town.eiheiji.fukui.jp

Eiheiji Town Tourism and Products Association3-107 Matsuoka-Shinmei, Eiheiji-cho,Yoshida County, Fukui Prefecture 910-1117, JapanTel: 0776-61-1188

ToyamaKanazawa

Fukui

MaiharaJCT Ichinomiya

JCTIchinomiyaJCT

Oyabe-Tonami JCT

Nagoya IC

Shirotori IC

Fukui IC

Tsuruga JCT/IC

Nagaoka IC

Hida-Kiyomi IC

Shirakawago IC

Hida-Kiyomi IC

Shirakawago IC

Kanazawa-Nishi IC

Eiheiji IC

Ono IC

OsakaKobe

Suita ICYokawa JCT

Kyoto-Higashi IC

Kyoto

Maibara

Tsuruga

NagoyaTokyo

NagaokaNaoetsu

Echigoyuzawa

Niigata

Tokaido Shinkansen

Hokuriku Expressway

Hokuriku Shinkansen

Meishin Expressway

Tomei Expressway

Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway

Chubu-Jukan Expressway

Kan-Etsu Expressway

EiheijiTown

Komatsu Airport

Haneda AirportCHUBU Centrair International Airport, NagoyaKansai International Airport

Eiheiji TownKyoto

Osaka

Tokyo

Fukui

JR

Expressway Bus By fixed-route bus

By air

［From Tokyo］Tokaido Shinkansen(via Maibara) Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 30 min>Hokuriku Shinkansen(via Kanazawa) Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 30 min> ［From Osaka］Kosei Line Fukui Station　<About 1 hrs 50 min> ［From Nagoya］JR Tokaido Main Line Fukui Station　<About 2 hrs>［From Kanazawa］JR Hokuriku Main Line Fukui Station　<About 50 min>

［From Tokyo］Tokyo Station, Yaesu South Entrance 　<About 8 hrs 10 min>［From Nagoya］Nagoya Station　<About 2 hrs 30 min>

［From Fukui Station］Fukui Station Eiheiji Monzen　<About 30 min>［From Awara Onsen］JR Awaraonsen Station Eiheiji Monzen　<About 1 hrs>［From Yamanaka Onsen］Yamanaka Onsen Eiheiji Monzen　<About 45 min>

［From Tokyo］Haneda Airport Komatsu Airport In front of Fukui Station　<About 2 hrs 15 min> ［From Osaka］Kansai International Airport Osaka Station Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 40 min>［From Nagoya］CHUBU Centrair International Airport, Nagoya Nagoya Station Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 40 min>

Echizen Railway (Every station in the town)　<18 min - 40 min>

［From JR Fukui Station］

＊Please see the map page for the station names and facilities in the town.

e.g., ▶If you visit Daihonzan Eiheiji： Fukui Station Eiheiji-guchi Station <24 min>▶Take a bus or taxi from Eiheiji-guchi Station.Eiheiji-guchi Station Daihonzan Eiheiji <12 min>▶There are direct bus services to Daihonzan Eiheiji. Fukui Station Daihonzan Eiheiji <30 min>

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

Connected bus

JR Special Rapid Service

MeitetsuJR Tokaido Main LineLimited Express

JR Kosei LineLimited Express

Fukui-Kita JCT/ICFukui-Kita JCT/IC

In front ofFukui Station

In front ofFukui Station

Eiheiji Town Tourism Guide

Created by Nippon Shuppan, Co., Ltd.　Revised Sep., 2019

Trip to discover a new self

Access to Eiheiji Town永平寺町

Tourism Inquiries

App Store Google Play

Free Wi-Fi available atEiheiji Monzen Shopping Malland Eiheiji Sando.

Information app availablefor tourist spots andlocal information.

Eiheiji Town Tourism Guide

Planned and Published byEiheiji Town Office, Commerce and Tourism Division1-4 Matsuoka-Kasuga, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida County,Fukui Prefecture 910-1192, JapanTel: 0776-61-3921 (Direct line)E-mail：shoko@town.eiheiji.fukui.jp

Eiheiji Town Tourism and Products Association3-107 Matsuoka-Shinmei, Eiheiji-cho,Yoshida County, Fukui Prefecture 910-1117, JapanTel: 0776-61-1188

ToyamaKanazawa

Fukui

MaiharaJCT Ichinomiya

JCTIchinomiyaJCT

Oyabe-Tonami JCT

Nagoya IC

Shirotori IC

Fukui IC

Tsuruga JCT/IC

Nagaoka IC

Hida-Kiyomi IC

Shirakawago IC

Hida-Kiyomi IC

Shirakawago IC

Kanazawa-Nishi IC

Eiheiji IC

Ono IC

OsakaKobe

Suita ICYokawa JCT

Kyoto-Higashi IC

Kyoto

Maibara

Tsuruga

NagoyaTokyo

NagaokaNaoetsu

Echigoyuzawa

Niigata

Tokaido Shinkansen

Hokuriku Expressway

Hokuriku Shinkansen

Meishin Expressway

Tomei Expressway

Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway

Chubu-Jukan Expressway

Kan-Etsu Expressway

EiheijiTown

Komatsu Airport

Haneda AirportCHUBU Centrair International Airport, NagoyaKansai International Airport

Eiheiji TownKyoto

Osaka

Tokyo

Fukui

JR

Expressway Bus By fixed-route bus

By air

［From Tokyo］Tokaido Shinkansen(via Maibara) Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 30 min>Hokuriku Shinkansen(via Kanazawa) Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 30 min> ［From Osaka］Kosei Line Fukui Station　<About 1 hrs 50 min> ［From Nagoya］JR Tokaido Main Line Fukui Station　<About 2 hrs>［From Kanazawa］JR Hokuriku Main Line Fukui Station　<About 50 min>

［From Tokyo］Tokyo Station, Yaesu South Entrance 　<About 8 hrs 10 min>［From Nagoya］Nagoya Station　<About 2 hrs 30 min>

［From Fukui Station］Fukui Station Eiheiji Monzen　<About 30 min>［From Awara Onsen］JR Awaraonsen Station Eiheiji Monzen　<About 1 hrs>［From Yamanaka Onsen］Yamanaka Onsen Eiheiji Monzen　<About 45 min>

［From Tokyo］Haneda Airport Komatsu Airport In front of Fukui Station　<About 2 hrs 15 min> ［From Osaka］Kansai International Airport Osaka Station Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 40 min>［From Nagoya］CHUBU Centrair International Airport, Nagoya Nagoya Station Fukui Station　<About 3 hrs 40 min>

Echizen Railway (Every station in the town)　<18 min - 40 min>

［From JR Fukui Station］

＊Please see the map page for the station names and facilities in the town.

e.g., ▶If you visit Daihonzan Eiheiji： Fukui Station Eiheiji-guchi Station <24 min>▶Take a bus or taxi from Eiheiji-guchi Station.Eiheiji-guchi Station Daihonzan Eiheiji <12 min>▶There are direct bus services to Daihonzan Eiheiji. Fukui Station Daihonzan Eiheiji <30 min>

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

LimitedExpress

Connected bus

JR Special Rapid Service

MeitetsuJR Tokaido Main LineLimited Express

JR Kosei LineLimited Express

Fukui-Kita JCT/ICFukui-Kita JCT/IC

In front ofFukui Station

In front ofFukui Station

H-5 Kippoji Temple

■35-2 Yoshimine, Eiheiji Town 910-1304　■Tel: 0776-64-2536

E-5 Soto School Daihonzan Eiheiji

Karamon Gate just in front of the main gate features detailed, brilliant sculptures. Karamon Gate is opened when a new Kansyu (the chief abbot of a temple) assigned, etc. There are 230 of colored paintings of traditional flowers and birds on the ceiling of the hall, painted by 144 famous painters in 1930. You can strike the bell of Jakkoen freely. Sanmon Gate, the oldest building of Eiheiji, was designated as a Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture.■5-15 Shihi, Eiheiji Town 910-1228■Tel: 0776-63-3102 (main number)

Eiheiji was founded as a monastery of monks by Dogen Zenji in 1244. Dogen Zenji was a monk who was awakened to true Buddhism in the Song dynasty of China. Eiheiji consists of around 70 Dendo temples (an ancient Japanese building style) and Rokaku (multistory buildings). Among them, seven temples known as “Shichido Garan” are important buildings essential to the practice of Buddhism. Everyday life is also regarded as one of the practices at Eiheiji. The monks undergo rigorous training such as Zazen (sitting practice for mental concentration) and Gongyo (practice of reading Buddhist sutras before the Buddha), and working practice such as cleaning etc. from early in the morning. Zen means to organize your mind.

Kippoji Temple is the dojo (training hall) where Dogen Zenji carried out Buddhist practices for the first time. He came to this dojo from Kyoto at the request of officials of Fukui Prefecture in 1243. The mountain trail of the approach is known as “Tettsu Slope” because Tettsu Osho, who was a Buddhist priest, had walked on it to serve rice gruel to Dogen Zenji. There is a Zazen stone known as the “Gokaisan Zazen stone” on the way, on which Dogen Zenji may have practiced Zazen, allowing one to imagine the scene of the practices of Zenji at that time. The site is filled with an awesome atmosphere from the main temple, the teaching temple, and the temple where the seated statue of Bosatsu is located.

First, monks of Eiheiji read the sutras. Then, around 10,000 lanterns are floated on the Kuzuryu River. This is a regular summer festival in the area.

D-3 Eiheiji Great Floating LanternFestival

■Venue: Eiheiji Riverside Park　 (celebrated every year in late August)

You can try Zazenand Shakyo.

Shakyo

Zazen

Readingsutras

Eiheiji Great Floating Lantern Festival

Hall with painted ceiling

Sanmon GateJakkoen

Kippoji Temple,the place where Dogen Zenjicarried out the first practicein Fukui Prefecture

EiheijiSoto School Daihonzan＊

Follow the path takenby Dogen Zenji.The mountain climbing trail from Kippoj i Temple to Eihe i j i v ia Daibutsujisan Mountain is known as “the mountainous pilgrimage course to visit ancestors,” which is the Zen road where Dogen Zenji walked on many times. You can enjoy mountain climbing while seeing famous sights related to Dogen Zenji.

Experience the teachingsof Dogen Zenji.

An historically very important templethat conveys “禅”(Zen)

You can practice Zazen, Shakyo (making a handwritten copy of sutras) , and the monks’ practice (overnight stay). This kind of experience allows you to learn the heart of Zen taught by Dogen Zenji.

Nineteen buildingsincluding Buddhist sanctums

and lecture halls,which stand in

Daihonzan Eiheiji, weredesignated as National

Important Cultural Properties.＊Zenji is the title bestowed on a monk.

＊

Eiheiji hastwo stars in

“Michelin GreenGuide Japan.”

2 3

＊Soto school is a sect of Buddhism that uses Shakamuni Buddha as a principle image for veneration.＊Daihonzan is the head temple that is specially positioned at the top of in the sect.

■Eiheiji Town Education Board　1-4 Matsuoka-Kasuga, Eiheiji Town 910-1117■Tel: 0776-61-3400

A place full ofbeautiful water and natureEiheiji Town has many historically-famous places. The

Matsuoka Mounded Tombs bring ancient times to life. The historic spots of the Matsuoka Domain allow you to learn the history of the Matsuoka Domain. Tenryuji Temple is related to poet Matsuo Basho. Benzaiten Hakuryuo Daigongen (shrine) attracts visitors from across Japan looking for success in business. Kogyoji Temple has excellent ginkgo trees that are spectacular in autumn. Hongakuji Temple was founded around the 14th century. It was later destroyed by air raids and rebuilt.

Visit historically-famous spots.

The clear Kuzuryu River, which has supplied water to Eiheiji Town from ancient times, attracts many anglers every year. They come for the delicious Ayu (sweetfish) and Cherry Salmon. We also recommend camping and mountain climbing (G-1) in the natural environment of the mountains. The rich natural environment of Eiheiji Town heals you by itself.

The clear stream and mountainsheal your heart.

We have a campsite in Eiheiji Town . The camps i t e has facilities including tent sites, log cabins, and kitchens. It is a popular spot where everyone can enjoy camping.

You can enjoy camping.You can enjoy rich, splendid nature i n E i he i j i Town . J oho j i s an Mountain, with an elevation of 1,053 m above sea level , is popular among mountain lovers. The 360° panoramic view from the peak allows you to look out over the Sea of Japan. Enjoy the mountain when it opens to visitors in the spr ing, as wel l as the wonderful colorful leaves in the autumn.

You can enjoy mountain climbing.

■4-1 Yoshimine, Eiheiji Town 910-1304■Tel: 0776-64-3040　(Administration building)　Tel: 0776-61-3921　(for reservations & inquiries)

H-5 Kippoji Camp Site

■68-1-2 Kami-Johoji, Eiheiji Town　910-1203■Tel: 0776-63-2867　 (Administration building)

F-1 Johojisan MountainYouth Travel Village

You can spendyour time

contemplatinghistory.

G-1 Johojisan Mountain

The Kuzuryu River is a major river 116 km in length. The Ayu raised in the river are famous for their delicious, firm meat. Many anglers catch Ayu with a lure known as “Tomozuri.”

Ayu fishing in the Kuzuryu River

■The Kuzuryu River Chubu Fishery Cooperative,　1-101 Matsuoka-Aoi, Eiheiji Town 910-1132■Tel: 0776-61-0246　Tel: 0776-61-3219 (Service by phone available)■URL: http://www.kuzuryu-chubu.jp

Learn the history and culture ofEiheiji Town

H-4 Kogyoji Temple

D-2 Hongakuji Temple

H-4 Benzaiten HakuryuoDaigongen

The presumed 300-year-old camellia, “Otachi’s Camellia,” remains in the streetscape that has the atmosphere of a castle town. It blooms beautifully in early April every year.

B-3 Historic spot of MatsuokaDomain (Otachi’s Camelia)

About 50 mounded tombs were constructed between the 3rd and 7th centuries. Many large mounded tombs representative of the Hokuriku area can be found at the site, which is regarded as the tomb of Great Chief of the ancient “Koshi Country.”

C-3 Matsuoka Mounded Tombs

Tenryuji Temple was founded by the first feudal lord of Matsuoka, to pray for his grandmother, Seiryoin, in 1653. The temple is also famous for having been visited by the renowned poet Matsuo Basho.■1-64, Matsuoka-Kasuga, Eiheiji Town　910-1133 ■Tel: 0776-61-0471

B-3 Tenryuji Temple

Distant view of the Tegurigajoyama Mountain Mounded Tomb

Boat-shaped stone coffin ofthe Taionjiyama Mountain Mounded Tomb

Many excavated articles

Ayu grilled with salt

Ayu

4 5

Kamishihi Cultural CenterSanSan Hall

Kamishihi Cultural CenterSanSan Hall

Eiheiji Town Office,Kamishihi BranchEiheiji Town Office,Kamishihi Branch

冠岳

Matsuoka Municipal Sports Park(You me park)

Matsuoka Municipal Sports Park(You me park)

Nakajima Riverside ParkNakajima Riverside Park

Eiheiji Onsen,Zen no Sato

(Eiheiji Hot Spring)

Eiheiji Onsen,Zen no Sato

(Eiheiji Hot Spring)

KippojiTempleKippojiTemple

Kogyoji Temple,Museum Hana-no-KuraKogyoji Temple,Museum Hana-no-Kura

BenzaitenHakuryuoDaigongen

BenzaitenHakuryuoDaigongen

Johojisan MountainYouth Travel VillageJohojisan MountainYouth Travel Village

Johojisan MountainClimbing Trail

Johojisan Mountain

KanmuridakeMountainKanmuridakeMountain

Nihon-MatsuyamaMountain

Nihon-MatsuyamaMountain

474mJoyama MountainJoyama Mountain

Yoshinogatake Mountain(Zaosan Mountain)

Yoshinogatake Mountain(Zaosan Mountain)

Daibutsujisan MountainDaibutsujisan Mountain

Tenryuji Temple,Basho-zuka MoundTenryuji Temple,Basho-zuka Mound

EiboukanEiboukan

Daibutsu LakeDaibutsu Lake

Hongakuji TempleHongakuji Temple

MatsuokaMounded TombsMatsuokaMounded Tombs

The basin ofthe Kuzuryu RiverAnti-Disaster Center

The basin ofthe Kuzuryu RiverAnti-Disaster Center

Fukui PrefectureComprehensiveGreen Center

Fukui PrefectureComprehensiveGreen Center

Fukui PrefecturalUniversity

Fukui PrefecturalUniversity

University of FukuiMedical DepartmentUniversity of FukuiMedical Department

Historic spot of Matsuoka Domain(Otachi’s Camelia)

Historic spot of Matsuoka Domain(Otachi’s Camelia)

Matsuoka Riverside ParkMatsuoka Riverside Park

Enjuji TempleEnjuji Temple

Fukui-Kita JCTFukui-Kita JCTFukui-Kita ICFukui-Kita IC

Matsuoka ICMatsuoka IC Eiheiji Sando ICEiheiji Sando IC

Kamishihi ICKamishihi IC

JR HokurikuMain Line

Echizen RailwayKatsuyama Eiheiji Line

YoshinogatakeClimbing Trail

HokurikuExpressway

Chubu-JukanExpressway

To Komatsu, Kanazawa

To Echizen, Tsuruga

To Komatsu,Kanazawa

To Maruoka IC

To Yamanaka Onsen

To Fukui IC

Kuzuryu River

To Katsuyama

→Fukui PrefectureDinosaur Museum

→Fukui PrefectureDinosaur Museum

↓Ichijodani Asakurashi Ruins

↑Maruoka Castle

To Katsuyama IC

Echizen RailwayFukui StationEchizen RailwayFukui Station

JR Fukui StationJR Fukui Station

FukuiGuchi

Kannonmachi

Matsuoka Shiizakai Eiheiji-guchi

KomyojiDomeki

Echizen Nonaka

Sanno

EchizenTakehara

Kobunato

Hota

ShozukobaShozukoba

EiheijiRiversidePark

EiheijiRiversidePark

Eiheiji Town Office,Eiheiji BranchEiheiji Town Office,Eiheiji Branch

Eiheiji Town OfficeEiheiji Town Office

838m1,053m

273m273m

474m

547m547m

807m807m

The mountainous pilgrimagecourse to visit ancestors

Eiheiji Mai-Road(paved trail once used for

the old Eiheiji Line)

Zen no Michi(Road of Zen)

6.2km

KippojiCamp SiteKippojiCamp Site

364

416

416

416416

158

8

Eiheiji ICEiheiji IC

Daihonzan EiheijiDaihonzan Eiheiji

Michi-no-Eki, Zen-no-Sato(Roadside Station)Michi-no-Eki, Zen-no-Sato(Roadside Station)

HeikyojiTempleHeikyojiTemple

Shimoshii

Four SeasonsForest’s Cultural CenterFour SeasonsForest’s Cultural Center

Zen-no-SatoMirai

Zen-no-SatoMirai

C-5 Yoshinogatake(Zaosan Mountain)

Eiheiji Onsen is a good-quality hot spring offering various components. There is an open-air bath, a sauna, and a barrier-free bath available for the handicapped.■2-16-1 Shimizu, Eiheiji Town 910-1312■Tel: 0776-64-3510

G-4 Eiheiji Onsen Zen no Sato(Eiheiji Hot Spring, Zen Village)

Once used as a railway, which is now paved. Remains of the railway, signs, and the station building can still be seen. The paved trail leads to Daihonzan Eiheiji.

D3〜E5Eiheiji Mai-Road(paved trail)

A rental villa available for groups to rent per day. You can relax in this old wooden house while enjoying activities such as Ayu fishing, harvesting crops, etc. (Prior booking required.) ■4-11 Suwama, Eiheiji Town 910-1222■Tel: 0776-63-3001

C-3

B-3

■3-107 Matsuoka-Shinmei, Eiheiji Town 910-1117 ■Tel: 0776-61-0888

Eiheiji GuideMap

●Local sake

●Eiheiji buckwheat noodles

Eiheiji Flower Festival

Lines of children in a festival procession to celebrate Shakyamuni’s birth, etc.

Easy mountain climbing party

Illumination of the bell being struck on New Year’s Eve

Floating lanterns on the river to mourn the souls of ancestors and deceased family members

Walking event

Walking event

There are manyplaces you canenjoy throughoutthe year.

●Garlic

●Onions

●Happa zushi　(Sushi wrapped in leaves)

Seasonalevents

Information about tourism and road conditions is available here. You can eat foods made from local ingredients and buy f r e sh f a rm p r oduce , processed food, and souvenirs. EV charging station available.■2-21-1 Shimizu, Eiheiji Town 910-1312■Tel: 0776-64-3377

G-4 Michi-no-Eki Zen-no-Sato(Roadside Station, Zen Village)(Rest, interacting, sale of products)

Eiheiji Flower FestivalMay

Johojisan Mountainclimbing for viewingautumn leaves

Nov

Bells on New Year’s Eveat Eiheiji and illumination

Dec

Eiheiji Great FloatingLantern Festival

Aug

Zen walking on EiheijiMai-Road in Spring

Jun

Zen walking on EiheijiMai-Road in Autumn

Oct

Taicho Daishi (a Buddhist saint) opened Yoshinogatake. In ancient times, Yamabushi (Buddhist ascetic hermits) practiced in the mountains. It is a popular hiking course.

Eiboukan(A facility that transmits the charm of Zen, Foodand Sake, and also allows you to enjoy them there.)

The facility allows you to experience the appeal of Eiheiji Town with its specialties such as “the unique local food of the clear Kuzuryu River” and “the sake that is the traditional industry of the community.”

Zen-no-Sato Mirai (Zen Village Mirai)(Rental villa using an old Japanese house)

6 7