保福寺

Overview

Hofukuji is a temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Uenohara City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Set in the mountainous eastern part of the prefecture where it borders Tokyo, it offers the calm, composed atmosphere of a Zen temple that values seated meditation. It is cherished as a temple of the Uenohara countryside, long close to the daily life of the local community.

Highlights

• ●Simple, serene precincts characteristic of the meditation-centered Soto Zen school
• ●The calm natural setting unique to mountainous Uenohara
• ●The dignified main hall preserved as a local family temple
• ●Surrounding scenery that reflects the changing seasons of the eastern mountain villages

History

Hofukuji belongs to the Soto Zen school. For details on its founding date, successive head priests, and the origins of its principal image, it is best to consult the temple's own notices or the official information of Uenohara City. As a local family temple that carries on the teachings of Zen, it is still carefully preserved through memorial services and observances.

Map

35.6319, 139.1137 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to the temple from Uenohara Station or the Uenohara interchange
2. 2Pass through the temple gate and offer a prayer at the main hall in the quiet precincts
3. 3Take your time enjoying the plain Zen-temple appearance and the surrounding greenery
4. 4Enjoy the streets of the Uenohara countryside and the scenery along the Sagami River on your way back

Did you know?

💡 Uenohara City serves as the eastern gateway to Yamanashi Prefecture, a land where settlements dot the valleys of the Sagami River watershed. The Soto school is a branch of Zen that places seated meditation at the heart of its practice, and that spirit is well reflected in the simple, serene atmosphere of the precincts.

Nearby spots