Shofukuji Temple

Shofukuji was founded in 1445 as the family temple of the Waku clan, lords of Yamaga castle, with Banzan Zenju as founding priest. Unusually for this region it holds three old gardens of different kinds. Climb the stone steps into the grounds and the stone garden Shinkantei lies to the left of the open space before the main hall; west of the hall is Seiseien, a dry landscape garden made in 1967. North of the main hall and study is Ganshotei, a dry landscape garden in the artificial-hill-and-pond manner, designated a national place of scenic beauty. Being able to compare all three in one visit is what makes the temple worth the trip.