Sojiji Soin Temple
總持寺祖院
The origin site of Sojiji, the head temple of the Soto Zen school, a seven-century-old Zen temple in the town's temple district that is still being repaired after the earthquake.
Founded in 1321 by Zen master Keizan, the temple was once the head temple of the Soto school. After a major fire in 1898, the head temple moved to Tsurumi in Yokohama, and this site was renamed the Soin (sub-temple). The compound includes a sanmon gate, a Hatto (Dharma Hall), the Daiso-do (Great Founder's Hall) and other buildings, many of them designated cultural properties. Restoration after the 2007 Noto Peninsula earthquake took more than a decade. The 2024 earthquake caused serious damage again, and access to the grounds is restricted. The old streets of the temple town keep their black-tiled wooden houses, and zazen (seated meditation) experiences are available (please confirm in advance). It is about 30 minutes' drive from Wajima.
Opening hours
08:00–16:30 (post-earthquake visiting areas per temple notices)
Nearby sights
- Magaki Fence Villages of Ozawa
- Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
- Noto-Kashima Station (Noto Sakura Station)
- Wajima Morning Market
- Wajima Kiriko Art Museum
- Noto Kongo Coast (Ganmon)
- Wakura Onsen
- Notojima Aquarium