Overview
Kinpoji is a temple of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai Zen sect, quietly set in Hashima, Gifu Prefecture. Its mountain name is Enichizan. Standing in the watery lowlands of the Nobi Plain between the Kiso and Nagara Rivers, it has long served as a modest place of faith for the local community. Rather than a busy tourist site, it offers the calm, ordered atmosphere characteristic of a Zen temple.
Highlights
- ●The calm, ordered atmosphere of a Rinzai Myoshin-ji Zen temple
- ●A local place of faith bearing the mountain name Enichizan
- ●The waterway scenery of the Nobi Plain shaped by the Kiso and Nagara Rivers
- ●A quiet, uncommercialized setting ideal for a peaceful visit
History
Kinpoji belongs to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai Zen sect and bears the mountain name Enichizan. The Myoshin-ji school is a branch of Zen Buddhism whose head temple is Myoshin-ji in Kyoto, and Kinpoji has carried on that lineage here in Hashima. For details of its founding and history, it is best to check with the temple or the official information of Hashima City when you visit.
Access
The temple lies in Hashima, Gifu Prefecture (around 35.27°N, 136.69°E). Hashima is easy to reach by rail and expressway from the Nagoya area, and Gifu-Hashima Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen is located within the city. Please confirm the exact route and parking availability through official sources before you set out.
Best season
The stillness of a Zen temple can be enjoyed year-round, but the calm seasons of spring, when the trees bud, and autumn, when the air turns clear, are especially pleasant for a stroll. The Nobi Plain can grow hot in summer, so during warmer months the cooler hours of early morning or evening are more comfortable.
Map
35.2689, 136.6892 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head toward Hashima from Gifu-Hashima Station or a main city road
- 2Visit Kinpoji and stroll the quiet Zen grounds of Enichizan
- 3Wander the surrounding rural and riverside landscape at leisure
- 4Combine it with other temples and sights in Hashima for a half-day outing
Did you know?
💡 The mountain name Enichizan evokes the light of a day of blessing, a fittingly Zen-like image. The surrounding Hashima area is a river-country of waterways nourished by the Kiso and Nagara Rivers, and visiting the temples scattered across the plain makes for a gentle journey unique to this region.
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