Regions
  • Nanao area
  • Hakui area
  • Suzu area
  • Wajima
  • Anamizu and Nakajima
  • Monzen and Togi
    		•
  • Kanazawa
  • Matto area
  • Tsubata area
    		•
  • Komatsu
  • Kaga area
    		•
    Monzen Machi , Ishikawa-ken

    Located on the Japan sea-coast nestled between Wajima and Togi is Monzen-machi which literally translates into “temple town”. Monzen is famous for the Sojiji temple which was the headquarters of the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism from the late 12th century to the early 17th century.

    Today, not much has changed in Monzen except possibly the ages of the people inhabiting this town. Over 60% of the population of Monzen is over 50 years old as the town experiences a constant U-turn effect where the younger members leave upon graduation for bigger cities and return years later for retirement in their furu-sato or home town.

    Among the many small hidden temples in the woods and back alleys of neighborhoods in Monzen, the most famous are the Sojiji temple and the Agishi Honseiji Temple.

    The Sojiji temple was constructed in 1321 and reconstructed in 1898 after it was destroyed by fire. Today, Zen monks still live and train at the temple and it is possible for anyone to also enter the temple for the purpose of training in Zen Buddhism. For a quicker experience of Zen Buddhism, you can make reservations to eat a traditional Buddhist meal which consists of no meat or fish for about 2,500 yen. The monk will enter your private eating hall, do a prayer (very cool) and you will also have your own pair of special chopsticks to take as a souvenir. Call 0768-42-0005 for reservations in Japanese only. The Sojiji is located just off the 249 and there are signs to help you find your way.

    The Agishi Honseji Temple is the largest and oldest temple of the Jodo Shin Sect of Buddhism and features a thatched roof . The temple is also famous for its agishi-kogiku-zakura which is a cherry tree with flowers that look for chrysanthemums. If you are coming from Togi, turn right at the JA-SS station outside of town and then right at the T in the road. The temple is on your left..

    There is also the Soba-zen which is a famous soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant you can go to to make your own soba or just relax and have a bowl of hot or cold soba. Get there early because it closes at 3pm daily. Located on the same side as the Japan Sea just outside of Monzen town.

    Finally, you can top off your day by taking in an onsen at the View Sunset hotel which overlooks the Sea of Japan. As the name implies, you can take in an onsen indoor or outdoor while viewing the sunset. There is also a nice restaurant at the main lobby of the hotel which serves fairly inexpensive set meals. Check out this hotel especially if you are an architecture buff as it was featured in many foreign magazines including Bon Voyage.

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  • Nanao area
  • Hakui area
  • Suzu area
  • Wajima
  • Anamizu and Nakajima
  • Monzen and Togi
    		•
  • Kanazawa
  • Matto area
  • Tsubata area
    		•
  • Komatsu
  • Kaga area
    		•
     
    Monzen Machi , Ishikawa-ken

    Located on the Japan sea-coast nestled between Wajima and Togi is Monzen-machi which literally translates into “temple town”. Monzen is famous for the Sojiji temple which was the headquarters of the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism from the late 12th century to the early 17th century.

    Today, not much has changed in Monzen except possibly the ages of the people inhabiting this town. Over 60% of the population of Monzen is over 50 years old as the town experiences a constant U-turn effect where the younger members leave upon graduation for bigger cities and return years later for retirement in their furu-sato or home town.

    Among the many small hidden temples in the woods and back alleys of neighborhoods in Monzen, the most famous are the Sojiji temple and the Agishi Honseiji Temple.

    The Sojiji temple was constructed in 1321 and reconstructed in 1898 after it was destroyed by fire. Today, Zen monks still live and train at the temple and it is possible for anyone to also enter the temple for the purpose of training in Zen Buddhism. For a quicker experience of Zen Buddhism, you can make reservations to eat a traditional Buddhist meal which consists of no meat or fish for about 2,500 yen. The monk will enter your private eating hall, do a prayer (very cool) and you will also have your own pair of special chopsticks to take as a souvenir. Call 0768-42-0005 for reservations in Japanese only. The Sojiji is located just off the 249 and there are signs to help you find your way.

    The Agishi Honseji Temple is the largest and oldest temple of the Jodo Shin Sect of Buddhism and features a thatched roof . The temple is also famous for its agishi-kogiku-zakura which is a cherry tree with flowers that look for chrysanthemums. If you are coming from Togi, turn right at the JA-SS station outside of town and then right at the T in the road. The temple is on your left..

    There is also the Soba-zen which is a famous soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant you can go to to make your own soba or just relax and have a bowl of hot or cold soba. Get there early because it closes at 3pm daily. Located on the same side as the Japan Sea just outside of Monzen town.

    Finally, you can top off your day by taking in an onsen at the View Sunset hotel which overlooks the Sea of Japan. As the name implies, you can take in an onsen indoor or outdoor while viewing the sunset. There is also a nice restaurant at the main lobby of the hotel which serves fairly inexpensive set meals. Check out this hotel especially if you are an architecture buff as it was featured in many foreign magazines including Bon Voyage.

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