Kasuisai Temple

Kasuisai was founded in 1401 as a Soto Zen temple near Hamamatsu. Its name, meaning the temple where one can sleep, comes from a story about Tokugawa Ieyasu allowing his elderly former tutor to doze in his presence, an honor normally forbidden in the shogun's company. Protective amulets said to bring peaceful rest are sold here. Activities include Zen meditation and guided tours of historical treasures. Vegetarian cuisine prepared by monks is available with at least one week's advance notice. Each late May, thousands of wind chimes are hung around the grounds to mark the beginning of summer.