Founded in 1283, Unganji Temple is an ancient Rinzai Zen temple of the Myoshinji branch set deep among towering cedar forests in Otawara. The celebrated Zen master Muso Soseki revitalized the temple during the Nanbokucho period, establishing it as a major center of Zen practice in the Kanto region. In 1689, the haiku poet Matsuo Basho visited the temple during his journey recorded in "Oku no Hosom…

Unganji Temple was founded in 1283 (Koan 6) by the eminent monk Kocho as a Rinzai Zen institution. During the Nanbokucho period (14th century), the celebrated Zen master Muso Soseki is said to have revitalized the temple, expanding its facilities and spreading Zen teachings throughout the Kanto regi…