Shorin-ji Temple, home of Shorinji kempo, is closed to those who are not registered members of the martial art. It is not open to sightseeing, but members can practice there and even arrange to stay in the dormitories and study at the center.
Shorin-ji Temple Massive Front gates
Once a year, in October, the massive gates of Shorin-ji 金剛禅総本山少林寺 are opened to the general public to join in the Daruma-sai ceremony. From the street, it is possible to see the impressive main hall, the memorial tower, and other buildings behind high fences.
Buildings include:
Hondo (main dojo/hall)
Kodo (lecture hall)
Rensei-dojo (former 1st dojo)
Shokudo (dining room)
Daigan-toh (memorial tower)
Zenrin Gakuen (college house)
The main gate bears the linked-circle emblem of the Shorinji kenpo martial art. In the past, the gates boasted the reversed swastika image like many Buddhist temples, but they were removed due to the bad image associated with the symbol by the Nazis.
Shorin-ji Temple Tadatsu
Those visiting the area might enjoy the park on the hill above the temple, which has walking trails connecting sheltered areas with tables, playgrounds, and statues. There is even a small cage with Japanese red-faced monkeys set into the hillside.
shorinji kempo hombu
Shorin-ji Temple is a large complex located on a hill about 20 minutes on foot from Tadatsu Station in the small town of Tadatsu in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku.
The website is: http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/access/index.html
