Komyozenji (光明禅寺, Kōmyōzenji) is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect of Japanese Buddhism that is located just south of Dazaifu's famous Tenmangu Shrine. The temple was founded in the middle of the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) by a disciple of the founder of Kyoto's Tofukuji Temple and belongs to the Tofukuji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
Komyozenji's main attraction is its beautiful Japanese gardens. The temple has two abstract rock gardens that visitors can admire, a front garden and a rear garden. The front garden is the smaller of the two and is composed of fifteen rocks laid amongst a plot of raked pebbles. The rocks are distributed so that they form the Japanese character for "light".
The rear garden can be viewed from the main temple building. It is larger and incorporates plant life in addition to its rocks and pebbles. The garden's moss patches and stones are laid out as an abstract representation of large land and water bodies. Branches of maple trees hang over the garden and make the temple a popular autumn leaf spot around mid November.
Getting there and around
Komyozenji Temple is located just a few steps south of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine or about a five minute walk east of Dazaifu Station.
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.