Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Temple

Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Temple in Tadotsu is the global headquarters of Kongo Zen, a religion founded in 1947 by So Doshin, who organized the practice of Shorinji Kempo from martial techniques he studied while stationed in China during World War II. The school emphasizes using strength for the benefit of others and is now practiced in 38 countries. Most of the temple grounds are reserved for practitioners, but visitors can pass through the red Niomon gate to the Tennoden main building to see a statue of So Doshin and a monument marking ties with the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. The annual Daruma Festival in October is open to all.