Overview
Rinsho-ji is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Standing within the well-preserved town of Hida-Furukawa, famed for its old streetscape and festivals, the temple is counted among the Hida Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage sites. In keeping with the quiet spirit of a mountain Zen temple, it offers a calm pause rather than grand spectacle, pairing naturally with a stroll through Furukawa.
Highlights
- ●A Soto Zen temple blending into the old townscape of Hida-Furukawa
- ●The quiet pilgrim atmosphere of a Hida Thirty-Three Kannon site
- ●The calm air of grounds set in a mountain village
- ●A taste of Hida daily life alongside a Furukawa walk
History
Established as a Soto Zen temple in the Hida-Furukawa area, Rinsho-ji has long welcomed pilgrims as one of the stops on the Hida Thirty-Three Kannon route. Hida-Furukawa is a town shaped by woodworking and craftsmanship, and the temple grew alongside this local culture and daily life. For details such as its exact founding year, it is best to check on-site notices or official sources.
Access
The temple lies around 36.23 degrees north, 137.19 degrees east, in Furukawa-cho, Hida City. The clearest approach is on foot from Hida-Furukawa Station on the JR Takayama Line through the old town. By car, head north from central Takayama toward Route 41. Please confirm visiting hours and parking through official information.
Best season
In this snowy corner of Hida, the fresh greenery of early summer and the autumn foliage are especially lovely. In winter, a hush settles over the snow-dusted grounds, heightening the Zen atmosphere. Timing a visit with the lively Furukawa Festival in April is also rewarding.
Map
36.2327, 137.1952 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Arrive at Hida-Furukawa Station and head for the old town
- 2Stroll the white-walled storehouse lanes along the Seto River
- 3Visit Rinsho-ji and take in the Zen stillness
- 4Explore Furukawa's sake breweries and workshops before leaving
Did you know?
💡 The Hida Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage links Kannon halls scattered across the Hida region, and Rinsho-ji is one of them. Hida-Furukawa is also the stage of the Furukawa Festival, known for its Okoshi-daiko drum event, reflecting a land where temples and festivals are woven into daily life.
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