Moment of Peace at Eiheiji Temple 1

Ethereal beauty found in deep forest in Fukui

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Stone statue standing in the serene woods along the pathway leading to the entrance gate of Eiheiji temple

Statue of Goddess of Mercy in a green forest

Green plants and moss-covered trunk of a cedar tree

Small statues of Jizo and Fudo-myoo at the foot of a giant cedar tree

Dark Buddha statue clad in red sits silently in front of the Kisshōkaku Hall

Looking at one of the temple buildings through roof tiles and green leaves

Peeping at a beautiful temple roof through the trees

Eiheiji Temple is the most famous, and probably the biggest (330,000 ㎡ = 0.13 sq mile) temple in Fukui. Due to its fame and significance, whenever I have visitors from outside Fukui, this is the place I take them. Therefore, I'd already visited it a few times as a guide but had never found it as beautiful as I did at the latest visit. It was in late July just after it had rained and the whole place was breathtakingly beautiful. As soon as I entered the gate I felt as though I was enveloped by the spirit of green forest, or Zen, or something ethereal. It was a spiritual experience and I just wanted to be there forever. For more photos please see my other photo story. For detailed information please refer to the complete guide about the temple.