Sogen-ji

曹源寺

A large Zen temple at the base of Mt. Misaoyama at the end of the path between Tendai-ji (right side) and Daiko-in (left side). It is a well known place for western Zen students. Free meditation sessions from 08:00-09:00 most Sundays are usually followed by a simple tea ceremony. The garden behind the temple is famous for having one of the largest cherry blossom trees in Okayama and a lake which beautifully reflects the tree and the surrounding countryside. This garden was designed by the same architect who built Korakuen. Although the mountain is near the center of the city, the area around it maintains a rural atmosphere. It can be very pleasant to hike over around this hill and visit the various small temples and shrines. If Zen meditation at Sogen-ji gives you a backache, you can relieve your aches and pains at a ganban onsen (rock hot spring.) This style of hot spring does not have a large bathing area but instead has gravel and hard rock beds where steam passes up from under you or down from above like a sauna.

• outdoors

Address

1069 Maruyama

Getting there

Sogenji-mae bus stop via Ryobi Bus from Tenmaya Bus Station

Hours

Closed · opens 6 am

Weekly hours

Mon	6 am–5 pm
Tue	6 am–5 pm
Wed	6 am–5 pm
Thu	6 am–5 pm
Fri	6 am–5 pm
Sat	6 am–5 pm
Sun	6 am–5 pm

Price

¥100