A Soto Zen temple in Hirai, Edogawa Ward, maintained as the family temple of old Hirai families since the mid-Edo period. The simple wooden main hall reflects Zen aesthetics, and regular zazen sessions are open to practitioners seeking stillness in the city.

Eitaiji is a Soto Zen temple in Hirai, Edogawa Ward, said to have been founded around 1720 (Kyoho 5) during the mid-Edo period. The Soto school of Zen was brought to Japan from Song-dynasty China by the monk Dogen in the 13th century, emphasizing the practice of shikantaza—pure sitting meditation. F…