How was your experience of the audio guide Zen experience?
Within Shinsho-Ji temple, there was a boat-shaped building, but do you know why that is? It actually relates to the origin of Shinsho-ji Temple.

Shinshō-ji was built in 1965 by a company engaged in the shipping and shipbuilding industry, meant to commemorate the workers who lost their lives in shipwreck accidents. It was established as a temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, founded at Kennin-ji temple.
At the beginning of the Edo era, Zen was only well known to samurai families. But when they saw the work and dedication of Zen master Hakuin and how he could appeal to the general public, they decided to build the main hall of Shinshō-ji to host the paintings of Hakuin.

And that's why the International Zen Dōjō is located in this temple. By accepting practicing monks from all over the world, regardless of nationality, Zen teaching spread from Japan all over. After all, since the whole point of Zen is in the experience itself, what better way for the people of the world to experience it than to come here themselves?

That’s why we’re delighted to start this journey of Zen with you here, a place full of Zen experiences.
Along with the memories of the practices you experienced here, we also hope you take home the practices themselves, to use whenever you want.
Come back to this guide at any time and practice the seated meditation or healing exercise whenever you feel like it. If you’re really interested in more Zen related techniques, we also have another mobile app devoted solely to Zen practice called “InTrip”, which you can find in your App store.

Zen is all about the experience.
It’s all about the “here and now.” That’s where you’ll find the meaning you’re looking for.