Zuiryuji Temple

Zuiryuji Temple (瑞龍寺, Zuiryūji) in Takaoka is a peaceful Soto Zen Buddhist temple known for its elegant symmetry and early Edo Period architecture. Completed around 1659 to honor the late lord Maeda Toshinaga, the temple features long corridors connecting beautiful wooden halls, a unique layout typical of Soto Zen design. His mausoleum lies about one kilometer east of the temple.

As you enter, the striking Sanmon Gate welcomes you into the grounds. Inside, you’ll find Butsuden Hall with a statue of the historical Buddha and Hatto Hall, home to Ususama Myo-o, a lesser-known guardian deity believed to purify and protect. There’s even a small statue of Ususama Myo-o at the entrance to the public restroom—a rare nod to his role as a washroom protector in Buddhist belief.