Erin-ji Temple Complete Travel Guide
Erin-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Koshu, Yamanashi, best known as the clan temple and burial site of the samurai warlord Takeda Shingen, with a historic pond garden behind the main hall designed by the medieval garden master Muso Soseki.
Quick Facts
Best Things to Do
- See Takeda Shingen's grave and learn about the temple's long connection to the Takeda clan.
- Walk through the pond garden designed by Muso Soseki, considered a forerunner to his later gardens at Saiho-ji and Tenryu-ji in Kyoto.
- Listen for the nightingale floor in the temple's wooden corridors.
- Visit the main gate and grounds, set against a forested mountain backdrop.
Tickets and Fees
Checked in July 2026: entry to the temple grounds and garden requires a small admission fee, typically in the low hundreds of yen. Hours and fees can change seasonally, so check ahead if visiting outside standard daytime hours.
How to Get There
Erin-ji is in Koshu City, about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or car from Enzan Station or Katsunuma-budokyo Station on the JR Chuo Line, roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours from Shinjuku by limited express plus a local connection.
Nearby Attractions
Erin-ji sits close to Katsunuma Wineries, making it easy to combine a temple visit with wine tasting, and Shosenkyo Gorge is a further drive toward Kofu.
Book Before You Go
Use official information for opening hours and ticket rules, then book tours or tickets only when they fit your route.